[Nita Nuprez]

Didn't quidam say something about this at the time? I distinctly remember a thread where we were talking about how the Toon got separated from the football one day. But if my memory is correct, is seems like Clinton took off in his limo or something, leaving the military guy to walk back (with the briefcase).

Anyone?

[litany_of_lies]

I think the incident you are referring to happened AFTER the author's employment.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Monday, April 26, 1999 Published at 06:49 GMT 07:49 UK

World: Americas

Clinton drops nuclear football

Tony have you seen a briefcase around here?

US President Bill Clinton left a Nato summit meeting in such haste that he left behind perhaps the most important piece of luggage in the world - the "nuclear football".
Speeding off in his motorcade after a meeting at the Nato summit hall, the leader of the world's only superpower left behind the critical briefcase that contains America's nuclear bomb codes.

"Rather than wait for everyone to gather he just took off", said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart.

The case contains the electronic launch codes needed for a US nuclear strike and provides a link with the Pentagon through a telephone. It is carried by and chained to a military aide and supposed to be near the president whenever he is away from the White House.

When President Clinton's motorcade left without him the aide who carries the briefcase then had to walk the half-mile back to the White House from the Reagan building where the summit was being held.

[litany_of_lies]

Blast from the past:

ORIGINAL THREAD IS HERE

Clinton Drops Nuclear Football

British Broadcasting Company
April 26, 1999 BBC

US President Bill Clinton left a Nato summit meeting in such haste that he left behind perhaps the most important piece of luggage in the world - the "nuclear football".

Speeding off in his motorcade after a meeting at the Nato summit hall, the leader of the world's only superpower left behind the critical briefcase that contains America's nuclear bomb codes.

"Rather than wait for everyone to gather he just took off", said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart.

The case contains the electronic launch codes needed for a US nuclear strike and provides a link with the Pentagon through a telephone.

It is carried by and chained to a military aide and supposed to be near the president whenever he is away from the White House.

When President Clinton's motorcade left without him the aide who carries the briefcase then had to walk the half-mile back to the White House from the Reagan building where the summit was being held.

"We're safe," remarked Mr Lockhart following the safe arrival of the aide, adding: "These things happen." Fumbled football It has been called the most dangerous handbag in the world. The black attache case which has become known as the "nuclear football" has been passed from president to president since the days of Dwight Eisenhower.

Aides have been quick to dismiss this incident, but other presidents have had similar scares. Other incidents include: Left on board Air Force One in Paris when Gerald Ford arrived at economic summit Jimmy Carter left codes in his suit when it was sent to the dry cleaners Separated from Ronald Reagan when he was shot in 1981,

[esopman]

Quidam!? I was working in DC and lurking a great deal at the time to counter the depression induced by watching Bubba Rex and Hillary Regina. (I do remember your posts...you've been around forever...:)

His/her posts were entertaining Haiku and had a ring of truth to them. I do recall the nuclear football story, but would be hard pressed to say when it appeared. My take on Quidam was that a disaffected dem insider (not a political appointee) bureaucrat was either getting close to retirement or was totally fed up or both.

[jacquej]

I remember it clearly, Nita... also, I remember quidam implying that at some point the codes were reassigned to owlgore. Anyone else remember that?

[Domestic Church]

"I distinctly remember a thread where we were talking about how the Toon got separated from the football one day."

I recall reading that back in my lurking days.