A day in the life of President Bush (12/4/05): photos

WhiteHouse.gov; Yahoo News Photos ^ | 12/4/05

[Wolfstar]

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush returned from Camp David ahead of schedule due to inclement weather. Around lunchtime, while the President and First Lady were inside the White House, a man identified as Shawn A. Cox, 29, of Arkansas was taken into custody by officers of the Secret Service Uniformed Division outside the Northwest Gate facing Pennsylvania Avenue. Cox, whom the Secret Service said was unarmed, successfully scaled the fence surrounding the Executive Mansion before being caught and arrested.

Although the President and First Lady are spending a quiet day at home in the White House, it was an eventful day for the Secret Service. Not only did they have the scare when Cox made it over the fence, but vehicles in the President's motorcade were involved in a minor traffic accident.

Instead of taking Marine One, the first couple were driven back to Washington from Camp David due to the weather. The accident occurred a few blocks from the White House. The motorcade's lead vehicles slowed down, but the ambulance did not stop in time and rear-ended a Chevy Suburban carrying high-tech communications equipment, damaging the back bumper and doors. The Suburban in turn hit a support van in front of it.

Secret Service spokesman Jonathan Cherry said no one was injured and the motorcade did not stop before arriving at the White House. Cherry said all three vehicles had minor damage.

The presidential limousine, which travels near the front of the motorcade of more than a dozen vehicles, was not involved, and no one was hurt.

THE WEEK AHEAD: Although there was no announcement during the Friday White House news briefing, some information has been reported about the President's schedule next week.

President Bush will visit Kernersville, North Carolina, Monday to talk about the economy and tax relief. He will visit the Deere-Hitachi plant, where he will speak to about 100 employees and invited guests. Deere-Hitachi builds earth-moving equipment at its Kernersville factory.

On Wednesday in Washington, GWB will give his second in a series of speeches about Iraq. It will focus on efforts to build Iraq's economy, shattered after years wars with Iran, Kuwait, the Gulf War coalition, followed by a decade of UN sanctions leading to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: With the Christmas holiday season in full swing, today's quote is unusual. It's from an "Ask the White House" session with Lea Berman, Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary, December 2, 2005:

Cliff, from Brimfield, Ohio writes: How long does it take to decorate the White House for Christmas? Do you have volunteers that help with all the details? I saw the First Lady showing some of the stuff on TV. It looks like a real challenge to get it all done. Does the First Lady or the President pick the theme? Thank You (PS: Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)

Lea Berman: Happy Christmas to you, Cliff. It takes three days of intensive effort to decorate the White House. A small army of volunteers converge under the direction of White House florist Nancy Clarke, many of them skilled professional florists, to transform the White House for the holidays. Mrs. Bush selects the theme each Christmas. This year the theme is "All Things Bright and Beautiful," which is a line from a hymn by Cecil Alexander. She is an avid gardener, so it is appropriate that she would choose a theme that highlights the beauty to be found in nature. Our decorations this year are made of fresh flowers, fruits and greens to reflect [that] natural beauty.

[Just A Nobody]

Of course, the best background is always the American flag.

And the best foreground is always President Bush! ;*)

[Wolfstar]

The middies from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis keep a rigorous class and drill schedule, and are studying for mid-terms. They had to be in their seats over an hour before the President arrived, so some of the young people can be forgiven for catching some much-needed naps while waiting for their Commander-in-Chief.

[snugs]

Your Cheney picture

[Trajan88]

Walter Cronkite is Santa Claus?

Un-believe-able

[LuvyaDubya]

Hi Wolfstar. Looking forward to formal-wear photos of the event at the Kennedy Center tonight.

[Theresawithanh]

I love that Barney and Beezie are featured on the Christmas card and the gingerbread house display!

Thanks lots for the dose today, Wolfstar! I'm bummed, (the Cowboys lost today) and the dose sure does help my mood!

[snugs]

On Thursday I though he looked so happy at the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree so full of fun especially singing the Christmas songs at the end of the pageant.

[Miss Marple]

Thanks, Wolfstar! A couple of the photos from yesterday I missed, so I was glad you re-posted them.

Gloomy cold day here, so of course we had to put up our outside lights. Did we do it two weeks ago when it was 60 degrees and sunny? Of course not, because hubby wanted to watch TV. I bet next year he will listen to me!

[Just A Nobody]

Arkansas, eh ... ?

Oh my! I read right over that tidbit. ;*{

[Theresawithanh]

Nope, that's Merlin Olson. Does look like WC, though.

[Wolfstar]

But they listend with rapt attention while the President spoke...

...applauded heartily multiple times throughout the speech...

...then crowded happily around in hopes of shaking his hand or getting a good photo afterwards.

[silent_jonny]

Your Cheney picture

Coming up :)

[Wolfstar]

By Saturday, the middies were all jazzed up over the 106th annual Army-Navy game. I posted this photo yesterday, but it's such fun, it's worth repeating today. Navy midshipmen hoist a cutout of President Bush they arrive for the Army-Navy football game. (It was the middies' way of sticking it to Army because GWB visited Annapolis before the big game. He must have brought Navy luck, because they won.)

[Wolfstar]

In this image released by the U.S. Navy, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld looks on as the U.S. Naval Academy cheerleading squad performs during a Pep Rally at the Pentagon prior to the 106th Army-Navy football game. Secretary Rumsfeld may be in his 70's, but no man is ever too old to appreciate pretty girls.

[Wolfstar]

Closing with the darker side of White House life in the modern era, scuzzball -- I'd like to use a stronger word, but this is a family thread and it's Sunday -- Shawn A. Cox is taken into custody by officers of the Secret Service Uniformed Division outside the Northwest Gate of the White House facing Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, Sunday.

Although the creep carried no weapon, he did make it over the fence onto White House grounds before being apprehended. The President and First Lady were inside at the time. Had they still been at Camp David, I probably wouldn't have posted these photos. But they were, and it was part of their day, unfortunately.

[Theresawithanh]

Somebody on the thread about this said that at some point during the game the cutout was wearing a Go Navy Beat Army shirt! I don't know if they were kidding or not, but I thought it was funny.

[Wolfstar]

[hsalaw]

Thanks so much for the great pictures. And the one of Laura showing the gingerbread house - what a lady she is! We're so fortunate in so many ways.

[Wolfstar]

ALL CLEAR!

[peacebaby]

I love the top photograph...such rich colors. Beautiful photography!