Bush’s Witticisms an After-Dinner Hit : Toastmaster: The former President’s monologue is part reflection, part forecast and part media-bashing. He charged one group $100,000.

After nearly a year of self-imposed exile, former President Bush is hitting the public-speaking circuit.

In recent months, Bush has shown up in Dallas, dispensing his reflective perspectives to hotel executives. He’s also been to Florida, playing tennis with retired pro Chris Evert. And he went to Puerto Rico to raise money for his presidential library at Texas A&M; University.

George Bush’s words and White House witticisms aren’t cheap for groups looking for a toastmaster. His gig before Amway distributors in September cost a cool $100,000, about half of what he earned annually as President.

Other groups won’t divulge how much they paid.

So what does a group get with Bush?

His monologue is part reflection with some self-deprecation, part forecast and part media-bashing, sprinkled with anecdotes about life with Barbara and the dogs in Tanglewood, the Houston subdivision where they live. And except for his comments in early October that President Clinton may be mishandling the Somalia situation, Bush has stuck to his promise of keeping mum on his successor’s actions.

“I must confess I wish I was as good as my predecessor, Ronald Reagan,” Bush said in October before 3,600 executives with Choice Hotels International at their annual convention. “I know I had some problems.”

He said he regrets not being able to convey his concern about the country’s “moral emptiness.” But he’s proud of his accomplishments in the foreign diplomacy arena.

“I’m proud of what we did and I have a funny, satisfied feeling--I may be a little early--but I have a satisfied feeling that history will judge this period kindly,” Bush said.

Betsy O’Rourke, spokeswoman for the hotel chain, wouldn’t disclose Bush’s fee but said the cost was more than worth it. “He was just terrific, he was really warm. He connected with the audience and they connected with him,” she said.

After speaking about the North American Free Trade Agreement and health care issues, and urging Choice executives to get involved in the political process, Bush took time to answer questions about his new life.

While in Washington for the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian peace accord, Bush told an audience how his wife was in charge in their new Houston home.

“We got a neat house there,” he said. “Barbara’s doing all the heavy lifting and I’m up here having a good time.”

Exactly how many times Bush has appeared in public is top secret. So is his schedule of upcoming speeches.

“I’m not going to tell you that. I don’t think it’s newsworthy, (his) being a private citizen,” Zamaria said.