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Originally published December 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified December 3, 2008 at 2:02 PM

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"Impeach Bush" ornament nixed

Let's just say this isn't the time to post calls for impeachment on the White House Christmas tree.

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 This is an image of the 9-inch ball that features Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott, a longtime Bush foe.

Enlarge this photo

LES STERLING / AP

This is an image of the 9-inch ball that features Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott, a longtime Bush foe.

In this undated image, artist Deborah Lawrence holds the Christmas ornament she designed for the White House tree.

Enlarge this photo

LES STERLING / AP

In this undated image, artist Deborah Lawrence holds the Christmas ornament she designed for the White House tree.

WASHINGTON — Let's just say this isn't the time to post calls for impeachment on the White House Christmas tree.

A spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush said Tuesday that the White House tree will not include an ornament by a Seattle artist that supports President Bush's impeachment.

Artist Deborah Lawrence said she wanted to salute Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott, of Seattle, a longtime Bush foe who backs impeachment.

The nine-inch ball Lawrence created is covered with swirly red-and-white stripes and features a picture of McDermott. Tiny glued-on text hails the impeachment resolution.

Mrs. Bush had asked members of Congress to pick artists to decorate ornaments for the White House tree to showcase all 435 congressional districts.

Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for Laura Bush, called the ornament inappropriate. "I think it really is a shame and, quite frankly, not very much in the holiday spirit," she said.

Instructions to the artists were clear: to decorate the ornaments in a patriotic, red, white and blue theme, McDonough said. Lawrence's ornament was the only one of about 370 submitted for the White House tree that was rejected, McDonough said.

A McDermott spokesman said the congressman had no role in the design of the ornament that was submitted.

"When the request came in, we contacted a local arts organization, which selected an artist. We had no role whatever in the theme, design, etc.," said McDermott chief of staff Mike DeCesare.

Lawrence, a collage artist, frequently combines politics and satire in her work. She told The Washington Post she saw the ornament as a perfect way "to highlight Jim McDermott because he's a hero of mine."

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

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Comments
Wow, lets remember what Christmas is about, it has nothing to do with a tree, lights, ornaments, or any other 'symbol' of what we call...  Posted on December 3, 2008 at 7:14 AM by Zodiak. Jump to comment
Mcdermott and Debbie Lawrence are equally poor representatives of Washington State. Both area as looney as you can get without being put away...  Posted on December 3, 2008 at 8:13 AM by genefmllr. Jump to comment
The bogus excuse for an artist should try her tactics out in Russia which where she belong in the food line instead of trying to impress me with...  Posted on December 3, 2008 at 4:13 PM by darrell t. Jump to comment

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