[mvpel]

Instead, not only was the child allowed to attend, but she was allowed to sit on the aisle where Bush could grab her up in a hug and plant a big kiss on her cheek, knowing that the cameras were rolling. Although I'm sure that Jackson was a more than willing accomplice, this never would have happened without Bush's approval.

Do you really think that Bush directly oversees the details of the arrangments for the State of the Union Address? I would think it's the staffers of the Congress that deal with it, considering that Bush has a lot more important things to worry about as to whether or not a Congressman brings his daughter.

[freedox]

"Do you really think that Bush directly oversees the details of the arrangments for the State of the Union Address?"

With an election coming up and the SOTU being a prime time nationally televised appearance, yes I do think that Bush would be apprised of such a detail. Rules were broken and security measures were altered to allow this child to be there.......and Bush was placed in the national spotlight hugging and kissing the grandchild of a nationally known political opponent. I don't think that something like that would have been sprung on the president unexpectedly.