You know those lighthearted moments briefing room between  C.J. Cregg and the White House press corps on “The West Wing”?

It looks like they actually happen without Aaron Sorkin.

The Clintons’ longtime feline companion, Socks, died on Friday after a three-month battle with throat cancer. From People.com:

A stray cat rescued by the Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea, Socks lived in the governor’s mansion in Arkansas and later moved with the family to the White House.

Before departing Washington, D.C., President Bush left behind a confidential letter for President Obama. It’s a time-honored tradition. (We did the same thing when we left our previous job, but it was decidedly less confidential.)

Obama reads the letter to the American people in a new video from FunnyOrDie.

Too clever.

The Bush White House released its annual overproduced Barney Cam Christmas video today. Starring the Bush family and Olympic athletes, it’s a sight to behold.

From The Associated Press:

Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and Nastia Liukin guest star in the final holiday doggie video from the White House.

In the “Barney Cam” Christmas greeting, the first family’s Scottish terrier scampers amid the White House’s red, white and blue holiday decorations before retiring for a nap and imagining himself as an athlete.