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Former Australian Leader John Howard Accepts Medal of Freedom

America's most inconvenient houseguest received the presidential medal of freedom today during a White House ceremony.

Former Australian prime minister John Howard accepted America's highest civilian honor after spending the night at Blair House -- edging out President-elect Barack Obama for that lodging. The 119-room mansion across from the White House serves as an official presidential guesthouse.

Howard, a staunch supporter of President Bush criticized by his political opponents for sending Australian troops to Iraq, was soundly defeated for reelection in 2007 and suffered the indignity of also losing his seat in parliament. Bush called Howard "a sturdy friend in time of need," and noted that Howard was in Washington on Sept. 11, 2001, and "saw the burning Pentagon."

Most recently, though, Howard's stay at Blair House caused a stir here and in his home country. Obama and his family had hoped to stay at the mansion prior to his inauguration so the Obama girls, Malia and Sasha, could start school. The Bush administration declined the request, saying the mansion was taken. It later was revealed that Howard and his wife were was the only overnight guests during the period the Obamas wanted to stay at the mansion. The Obamas opted to stay at the Hay-Adams Hotel until they move into Blair House on Jan. 15.

Howard's decision to stay at the mansion piqued the feisty Australian press. A headline in The Courier Mail screamed: "Sleep in the park, US tells Howard." The Australian newspaper wrote of "Fury as Howard's end upsets Obama's beginning" and The Herald Sun declared "Howard bushwhacks Obama."

Bush also gave medals today to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who resigned after being criticized for his support of the war in the Iraq, and to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

Blair and Uribe were both invited to stay at Blair House. They declined.

Surrounded by old friends, the president and the recipients were in jovial moods. Howard jokingly clutched his neck, as if he were about to be choked, as Bush prepared to bestow the medal. Bush playfully punched Uribe, who he called "mi amigo," in the left arm.

Bush said he hoped all three recipients would visit him back at his ranch in Crawford.

"As you have probably heard, we're changing addresses," Bush said.

The East Room audience -- which included Rush Limbaugh, former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and former secretary of state Colin Powell -- cracked up, and Bush grinned.