KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — President Bush played one last round of golf Monday in the early morning mist of the Maine coast before returning to Washington for a week of ceremony and political challenge.
He put off for another day any talk of the corporate scandals that have shaken markets and preoccupied his administration. He travels to Wall Street on Tuesday to address wrongdoing and reform in American business.
But for now, the president said, "I'm focused on 18 holes of golf."
His father, former President George Bush, seconded the notion.
"It's vacation. You should relax by the sea," the elder Bush told the younger at the first tee of Cape Arundel Golf Club.
An afternoon Medal of Honor presentation ceremony was on the president's schedule after his return to the White House. Honored posthumously was Army Capt. Rocky Versace, who was executed by his Viet Cong captors in 1965.
With corporate wrongdoing threatening political damage, White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said Bush "will focus on strict enforcement and tough punishment."