Designer Runs Afoul with White House Christmas Tree Ornament

This week, there were a lot of hometown designers and mid-sized companies sending out press releases about how they participated in making an ornament for the White House’s first invitation-by-congressional districts Christmas tree decorating. Places like the James Avery jewelry making chain, who got on the tree thanks to Kay Bailey Hutchinson and seemed pleased as punch to be included (being as the company is based in Texas, that stands to reason). But there was one exception, Seattle area artist and designer Deborah Lawrence, who received her invite from representative Jim McDermott, who happens to not be in very strong support of President Bush. Going along with his invite request, Lawrence’s shiny, festive ornament celebrated the season while also demanding that Bush be impeached. Thus, the ornament has been removed, to absolutely no one’s surprise.

Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for the first lady, confirmed the ornament would not be displayed. “It’s inappropriate and it’s not being hung,” she said. She said that when asked about the issue yesterday, the White House tree decorations were not complete.” We reviewed the ornament along with all the [other] ornaments, and Mrs. Bush deemed it inappropriate for the holiday tree.”

Lawrence attended the White House reception for the artists yesterday (“They let us in”) but didn’t get a chance to chat with the hostess.

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