WASHINGTON -- Red Sox Nation conquered the nation's capital Wednesday as President Bush feted the 2007 World Series Champs in a White House celebration that turned the normally orderly Executive Mansion into a stampede of hero-worshipping Red Sox fans.

The seat of political power, usually unfazed by the proximity of famous personalities, was outright star-struck with the entourage of power hitters, pitchers and all-stars.

Members of Congress, media big-wigs and White House staff -- many with their kids and baseballs in tow -- craned their necks and jostled for a good spot to snap photos and seek out autographs.

"The Mighty Red Sox Nation has stormed the South Lawn," Bush told the roaring crowd gathered in the afternoon chill but clearly more numbed by the prospect of glimpsing their favorite ballplayers up close.

"We appreciate very much members of the administration who are here -- don't linger," Bush quipped before welcoming an eminent group of members of Congress from New England who were clearly enjoying a break from conducting the people's business and weren't bashful about pulling rank to get a good seat.

Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, his camera in tow, pressed his way through a throng of reporters lined up in the West Wing driveway before the event to get to his front-row seat next to political luminaries such as Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, Rep. William Delahunt of Quincy, and Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut.

The festivities even drew Vice President Dick Cheney, seldom seen at the same public event as Bush and who stood quietly off to the side as the president gave a humorous and folksy tribute to the Red Sox players, coaches and owners.

The World Series Champs, decked out in their Sunday best and accompanied by manager Terry Francona and rest of the coaching staff, were led out of the White House residence to the rhythms of a military band and as slugger David Ortiz carried the World Series trophy.

But the star of the show quickly became Bush, the former owner of the Texas Rangers and fan-in-chief who was clearly enjoying the opportunity to mingle with ballplayers after more substantive meetings earlier in the day with the prime minister of the Czech Republic and a special envoy from the Organization of the Islamic Conference:

Singling out ace hurler Daisuke Matzuzaka, Bush made reference to the large group of Japanese reporters who were on hand, joking, "His press corps is bigger than mine." He then noted another similarity he said he shares with "Dice K": "We both have trouble answering questions in English."

Throughout, Bush was effusive in his praise for the Red Sox franchise.

"I love the fact that you've got some of the game's biggest stars. I mean, 'Big Papi,' the guy lights up the screen," Bush said of Ortiz. "He brings a great personality."