WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, the 2004 Red Sox – that self-proclaimed gang of idiots – was honored in a Presidential ceremony outside of the White House. It was a team filled with free spirits getting a tip of the cap from the leader of the free world.

“We welcome all citizens of Red Sox Nation,” said President George W. Bush.

The presidential speechwriters were on top of their game for this one. The President was taking his best cuts early and often.

“What took you so long to get here?” Bush asked in reference to the 86-year drought of World Championships. The President also mentioned that Woodrow Wilson resided at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. last time Boston won it all.

“It took a lot of guts… and a lot of hair,” added Bush, with a glance at Johnny Damon.

The Red Sox had their fun, too.

After Curt Schilling presented the President with a team jersey (No. 43, appropriately enough), captain Jason Varitek handed out one to Vice President Dick Cheney. The veep’s jersey was No. 2.

After the event, Johnny Damon said there were plenty of similarities between the players and the President (a former owner of the Texas Rangers.) “Are you calling him an idiot?” asked one member of the White House Press Corps.

“No we’re not!” exclaimed Jason Varitek, showing why he’s the captain. “Enough’s enough!”

You’d have to be an idiot not to enjoy this day.

“It was an honor,” Kevin Millar said, summing up the day for the players who made the trip. “Schilling said there were 30 or 40 people here when he won it with Arizona.”

There were hundreds on this day. Any New Englander with any Beltway clout was at the ceremony. Senators, Congressmen and staffers from all six states braved the wind chill for the event.

“This could change everything for New Englanders,” said a smiling Maine Congressman Tom Allen. “We can’t be pessimistic about anything ever again.”

It was a long day for the Sox, who held a morning workout in Fort Myers before heading north. Getting there was no easy task.

“We had a tough landing,” said Millar. “Turbulence is OK, but not when you’re 20 feet above the ground. We thought we were coming in wing-first. The pilot did a great job.”

An omen? Were the Sox getting Divine Intervention again?

“Holy cannoli,” said Millar, “we’re going to do it again.”

They say hope springs eternal on Opening Day, but with a month to go hope was already in full blossom outside the West Wing.

“Our bench is deeper,” said Damon. “We might be better than last year.”

Then, it was time to go. The players were heading off to Walter Reed Army Hospital.

“See you next year,” Sox PR man Glen Geffner told the media while rounding up the players.

On a clear day like this, with no curse in sight, it was hard not to believe that it could happen again.

Lewiston native Tom Caron is a NESN sports analyst for Red Sox and Bruins telecasts.