"Impeach Bush" ornament nixed

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."