White House rejects impeachment ornament

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush said a Christmas tree ornament calling for the impeachment of President Bush will not hang on the White House tree.

Seattle artist Deborah Lawrence created the ornament after Laura Bush asked all members of Congress to choose local artists to design decorations for the White House Christmas tree, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Lawrence was chosen by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., to design the piece and she used the ornament to honor McDermott and -- in very small text -- discuss his support for a resolution to impeach President George W. Bush.

"It's inappropriate and it's not being hung," said Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for Laura Bush. "We reviewed the ornament along with all the (other) ornaments, and Mrs. Bush deemed it inappropriate for the holiday tree."

Lawrence, who attended a reception for the artists Tuesday at the White House, said she was not surprised that the ornament was pulled.

"This doesn't really surprise me. But it's disappointing that I won't get to see it on the tree," she said.