Posted on 12/10/2001 9:21:07 AM PST by RooRoobird14
I got a card last year as well, which flabbergasted me. I am not a large donor at all, and I don't know anyone important in government or in politics.
By the way, I sent a note to Karl Rove several months ago and got a personal, signed response. The Bush administration is a class act.
I am framing my Christmas card...it is at the shop right now. I am certain millions of these were sent out, but that's ok with me. I am happy to have a token of their remembering all of the peon campaign workers and not just the big donors.
They always have the most beautiful quote on the card.
My Demo buddy who worked for Gore saw the card yesterday and he said 'this is a real Republican card' - classy, fancy paper and all. LOL.
Thanks for the ping Cool Guy. Looks as if he not only brightened my Christmas but many others.
American-Statesman Staff
Saturday, December 8, 2001
Hundreds of thousands of friends, family and supporters of President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush opened the first family's Christmas card this week. Many were surprised by what they saw. Those who know the Bushes well were not.
"This is the first presidential card to feature a Bible verse," said Ronald Seeley, collector of presidential cards, messages and gifts.
The verse, Psalm 27:8,13 reads: "Thy face, Lord, do I seek: I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." First lady Laura Bush saw the verse on the program during church services at Camp David on Sept. 16. It struck her as appropriate in light of the tragedies of Sept. 11, said Ashleigh Adams, spokeswoman for the first lady.
The closest thing to a religious touch before this was the unsent crche card, featuring nativity figures, slated to convey greetings from President Kennedy and the first lady in 1963. Approximately 30 cards were signed by the Kennedys the night before they left for Dallas, where Kennedy was assassinated.
The inclusion of a Bible verse on a president's holiday card is "unique but consistent" said Mary Seeley, author of "Season's Greetings from the White House," a 244-page book on the history of presidential holiday cards published in 1998. Previous cards from the Bush family while they lived in the Texas Governor's Mansion included Bible verses. The verse on their 2000 Christmas card was from Jeremiah 29:13 -- "And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart."
The image on the front of the president and first lady's card, a painting by artist and former Fort Worth resident Adrian Martinez, was commissioned nine months ago and was completed in July. Those looking for symbols or reference to the events of Sept. 11 will find none in the picture, although tea-leaf readers may see significance in the presidential eagle on the wall, the absent Christmas tree or the unopened, wrapped packages.
Martinez chose the setting -- a hallway on the second floor of the White House. Later, he said, he felt it was appropriate because of the warmth in the Mary Cassatt painting and the strength symbolized by the eagle on the wall. "Mrs. Bush was a patron in the best sense of the word," says Martinez, who says he was given great latitude in the design.
Despite the events of Sept.11, the art choice was unchanged for the card. The scene is in keeping with the White House holiday theme, "Home for the Holidays," Adams said. "Because this year's holiday season follows a national tragedy, both home and family have special meaning to all Americans," Laura Bush said in a White House press release.
Past presidential cards have looked more, well, presidential -- featuring the Oval Office (George and Barbara Bush, 1990), August Kollner's 19th century view of the White House (Richard and Pat Nixon, 1973) and the White House as viewed from the East Garden (Harry and Bess Truman, 1952). Previous presidential cards can be seen online at whitehousechrist- mas.com/thebook.asp#highlights.
If the point of holiday cards is to reflect the convictions of a president and the first lady, this one does that, according to author Seeley. "It is a statement of who they are, and prayer is a part of their lives," she said.
The card's message in addition to the verse? "May happiness be yours during this season of goodwill and may the New Year bring peace on earth."
You may contact Jane Greig at 445-3697 or e-mail her at jgreig@statesman.com.
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