Posted on 12/15/2008 11:13:24 AM PST by llevrok
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino was slightly bruised in the aftermath of the shoe-throwing melee at President Bush's news conference at the Prime Minister's Palace in Baghdad on Sunday, a senior administration official said.
But Perino will be fine and is continuing with the presidential party, the official said.
Perino was hit in the face with a microphone as security wrestled with the reporter, NBC News reported.
The White House transcript from the news conference labels the incident an "audience interruption."
President Bush said. "Okay, everybody calm down for a minute."
Then, indicating Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the president continued: "First of all, thank you for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people. It doesn't bother me. And if you want some — if you want the facts, it's a size 10 shoe that he threw. (Laughter.) Thank you for your concern, do not worry about it."
The president then brushed off a question from a reporter who was asking about the greater meaning of the fracas.
"So what if a guy threw a shoe at me?" Bush asked.
It's ironic that the president would be pummeled in such a controlled setting, when the White House took elaborate, James-Bond-like precautions to ensure he landed in secret.
Air Force One left the Washington area on Saturday night, and Bush and his aides are scheduled to return Monday. His presence in Iraq was not reported until Sunday morning Eastern time.
Sorry about the double post. I fixed “journalist” to “journalists” and thought I’d stopped the first upload.
Sorry that Dana Perino was hurt in the melee.
President Bush handled the incident in a strong, yet calm manner. Kept it from escalation into a larger confrontation.
The majority of Iraqi’s outside the Bathists are immensely better off now than they were when the butcher was in power
IMO, one of the best comments yet in regard to the shoe crisis.
He's fast, and I am glad that he was not hurt in any way.
The Arabs are all bastards for applauding this behavior.
Thank you for upholding Free Republic tradition.
I mean it. Post pictures of Ms. Perino anytime you like. :)
“Makes me wonder if they patted down these so called reporters before they came in. “
Think about your comment. Had they ‘patted down’ the perp, just what would they have found? A shoe!
I suspect it said ‘shirt and shoes’ mandatory on the door.
Fans were throwing debris and car keys at the Boston Bruins once, so they went into the stands. Peter McNabb took a guy’s shoe off and slapped him with it.
Absolutely right!!
I’ve got some outrage for you.
First, I’d like to stomp the shiite out of the POS. Then, hang him.
No, Mr. President, this was not “amusing.” It took Secret Service forever to get up to the podium and it took forever for anyone to try to restrain the asshat (I’m being nice) who assaulted our president. Aiming anything at someone’s head is intent to commit murder.
No, the response should have been on behalf of the American people, what was done was an insult to all our brave troops and their families who served and sacrificed in Operation Iraqi Freedom to bring democracy to a stinking, ungrateful hell-hole peopled by barbarians who, when they are liberated, attack the Commander in Chief of those who spent time and treasure, who shed blood, thousands who made the ultimate sacrifice, who DIED dammit, who tried to train and educate the most backwards people on the face of the earth to govern themselves. And, this is the result?!!
Don’t ever introduce me personally to ANY Iraqi, because they will hear the above and more.
Yeah this sux from an Iraqi but.....during his 2nd term I have mentally thrown a shoes at GWB. I voted for him 2x too!
I’m with you. What took them so long to even show up?
After watching the video of the attack of the shoes, I was and still am shocked by the relative slowness of any response to the attacker. No rushing of the Secret Service, no pouncing by the military folks. Just a very slow response. Apparently, they felt Dana had the situation, and the attacker, under control.
It won’t be long before they tax the air we breathe. And the slaves will love it.
What in the world does “Subby is here for you” mean.
They're worse than worthless, imo. I have no use for them.
I'm glad the president ducked promptly. And, I do appreciate your tagline.
If you can dodge a shoe, you can dodge a ball!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.