New York, December 8 : Singer Barbra Streisand ‘embraced’ George Bush as she was presented with the Kennedy Center Honor by the US President– whom she had once called “an alien sent here to destroy the Earth.”

The two-time Academy Award-winner, who had blamed Bush for stealing the 2000 election and mishandling the Iraq war, was said to be “genuinely touched by the nation''s top artsy accolade.”

The Kennedy Center Honoree for 2008 had been greeted by the former Governor of Texas before the show at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center at Pennsylvania Avenue.

"Art transcends politics this weekend," the New York Daily News quoted the Brooklyn-born singer as saying.

However, on being questioned if she would have liked President-elect Barack Obama hosting the event, the actress replied: "That would have been lovely," adding, "or [Bill] Clinton."

Barbra has been counted amongst the short list of entertainers who have had the distinction of winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award. (ANI)