U.S. President George W. Bush offers Iraq veteran game show contestant good
luck.
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (APRIL 21, 2008)  NBC -

U.S. President George W. Bush, making a highly unusual appearance on
U.S. television game show "Deal or No Deal," sought show host Howie
Mandel's help on Monday (April 21) to deal with the federal budget in upcoming
talks with Congress.
    Bush paid a surprise videotaped visit to game show "Deal or No
Deal" to offer good luck to a decorated Iraq war veteran who was
competing on the programme.
    "Howie, I don't know if you're free to come to Washington anytime
soon but I have to reach an agreement with Congress on the federal budget.
How'd you like to host a $3 trillion dollar 'Deal or No Deal,'" Bush
joked.
    The president thanked Army Captain Joseph Kobes for his
"courageous service."
    "You and your fellow men and women in uniform are heroes to all
Americans whose freedoms you protect," Bush told Kobes, adding that he
and First Lady Laura Bush was hoping he'd win on the show.
     Kobes, from Sumner, Washington, served three tours of duty in Iraq
between March 2004 and July 2007. 
    The 29-year-old transportation officer earned a Bronze Star and
received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained when his truck was blown up in
2004.
     He won $26,000 (USD) on the show.