By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

U.S. Rep. Rob Portman thanks former President Bush for speaking during the congressman's fund-raiser Thursday at the Aronoff Center downtown. The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Meet George Herbert Walker Bush - daredevil, comedian, proud dad.

Yes, he was president once upon a time, but he neither pined for the past nor dwelled on present-day politics in a visit to Cincinnati on Thursday.

"I swore at the time that my politicking days were over," he said, pausing half a beat before adding, "Americans made that decision for me."

Bush spoke to a crowd of about 1,500 at a fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Rob Portman at the Aronoff Center downtown. His most recent visit to town was almost a year ago, when he threw out the first pitch at Great American Ball Park's first Opening Day.

Bush said he is especially careful to keep his opinions to himself since son George W. is president. Otherwise, reporters look for any sliver of daylight between the Bushes' opinions.

"For me the Dana Carvey principle applies," he said. "Remember Dana Carvey - the only guy in Washington who misses me?

"Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent," he mimicked Carvey mimicking him.

"How would you like to be president and only be remembered for Dana Carvey or throwing up on the prime minister of Japan?"

Bush also reported with relish that he plans to jump out of a plane again, despite wife Barbara's threat that "it's going to be your last jump, one way or another."

His date with a parachute is set for the day after his 80th birthday in June.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com