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George W. Bush may have really low approval ratings, but at least he can distract himself with the paternal rite of passage of writing fat checks – in preparing for the upcoming wedding of Jenna Bush and Henry Hager.

The president, who is currently on a trip to Africa, joked with Ann Curry of the Today show when asked how the wedding is coming along: “It’s coming like I have nothing to say about it, that’s how it’s coming.”

“Oh, really?” inquired Curry. “They’re not letting you do anything?”

“They’re letting me spend money,” the chief executive said.

Laura Bush was more far more expansive. Hearing what her husband had said to Curry, she interjected, according to The Washington Post: “Jenna and I have been having a really good time planning the wedding.”

Henry Hager and Jenna Bush will marry this spring.

Laura Bush added: “It’ll be small and private, just what Jenna wants. I think it’ll be lovely and simple and just perfect.”

Jenna Bush, 26, and Henry Hager, 29, will officially get married May 10 at the president’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, sources say.

The couple’s engagement was announced in August.

In November, Laura Bush said that she “of course” had fancied the idea of a White House wedding for daughter Jenna.

“But I also know it wouldn’t be very private,” she said. “And of course we want to do what Jenna wants to do.”

In potential First Daughter news, Chelsea Clinton is the prime age (27) to subject Bill and Hillary to a similar situation. Barack Obama, meanwhile, has a ways to go before he’s writing the checks – his daughters are only six and nine.