FishbowlDC has learned that the NYT was in danger of making an embarrassing headline gaffe Thursday. The aftermath of which would not have been pretty.

For at least a few minutes, the headline on their story about President Obama hosting George W. Bush for the portrait unveiling at the White House involving the word Bush and hanging. Our source tells us the word “hanging” was definitely in the headline without the word “portrait appearing before it.” The journalist was told the headline was this:

“Obama hosts George W. Bush for hanging”

Good thing those NYT proofreaders are on their toes or else something far more sinister is going on. “Don’t know situation but sounds like we might have been framed!” said NYT Deputy Washington Bureau Chief Carl Hulse, who is off today for a family engagement.