http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Bush_has_near_tractor_accident_in_0131.html
Wednesday January 31, 2007
Bush has near 'tractor accident' in visit to Illinois factory
By Michael Roston
The White House announced its visit to a Caterpillar factory in East
Peoria, Illinois, yesterday, where President George W. Bush advanced
his case for expanding free trade negotiations.
But it didn't detail the President's clumsy driving of a giant D-10
tractor that sent the White House press corps and presidential staff
scrambling, which was reported at a Newsweek blog.
At "The Gaggle," Newsweek reporter Holly Bailey writes that the
president clambered into the driver's seat of Caterpillar's giant D10
tractor.
"I would suggest moving back...I'm about to crank this sucker up," she
reports him saying.
But as White House staff started to move the press corps back, the
situation became more chaotic.
Bailey writes that "the tractor lurched forward" and White House staff
"too were forced to scramble for safety.
"Get out of the way!" a news photographer yelled.
"I think he might run us over!""
Bush chuckled about the incident, and referenced driving the tractor
during his speech, saying "I'm impressed by a culture of excellence
and accomplishment that is the spirit of Caterpillar. I also
appreciate the chance to drive a D10. If you've never driven a D10 --
(laughter) -- it's a cool experience. (Laughter)," according to the
White House website.
Bailey looked less fondly upon Bush's test drive of the D-10.
"Yeah, almost as much fun as seeing your life flash before your eyes,"
she wrote in response to the president's remark about his "cool
experience."
The full blog post can be accessed at Newsweek's politics blog The
Gaggle. http://www.talk.newsweek.com/politics/default.asp?item=464251
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Well, actually I'm not sure that the kid's ever been *off* the booze.
Harry
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