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Barneycam premiere at children's hospital

Posted: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:41 PM
Filed Under:

By John Rutherford, NBC News Producer

Earlier today, Laura Bush visited sick kids at the Children's National Medical Center, continuing a holiday tradition begun during the Kennedy administration.

The first lady toured a new surgical care unit and spent half an hour with several dozen young patients in the atrium of the hospital in northwest Washington, D.C.

Sitting under a large Christmas tree, she read a version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" that was written in the style of "’Twas the Night Before Christmas," but still had Rudolph's red nose saving the day for everyone.

"’Twas the day before Christmas and all through the hills, the reindeer were playing, enjoying their spills ..."

The first lady then showed the children the latest video featuring Barney and Miss Beazley, the Bush family's Scottish terriers.


VIDEO: BarneyCam Holiday in the National Parks

In this one, Barney and Miss Beazley run around the White House listening to one human after another, including President Bush and Laura Bush and their twin daughters as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, talk about America's national parks and the dogs' hopes to become junior park rangers.

In the end, the dogs get their wish and Barney and Miss Beazley are annointed junior park rangers. 

After the movie, the first lady agreed to answer a few questions from the kids.

Question: What does Barney like to play with?

Answer: Soccer balls and golf balls.

Question: Does the president have a lot of work to do?

Answer: Yes.

Last question: What's your favorite thing about Christmas?

Answer: Sitting around the Christmas tree with the twins and drinking hot chocolate.

After that, she wished the kids well, said her good-byes, shook hands and posed for photos on her way out of the hospital.

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Dear Mr.Rutherford, I viewed both videos of the Scottish Terriers Barney and Miss Beazley and they were just adorable. My family owned a Scottish Terrier and some of the antics of these two dogs reminds me of our dog. I also forgot they had a black cat too. I like cats too! Anyway, I loved watching them run around the White House and in the snow. It was funny to see President Bush and others talking to the dogs. They will make great junior park rangers. I just don't think they understand the job. Just kidding! They are really cute! Great tradition to see them at Christmastime! Merry Christmas Barney and Miss Beazley! Thank you for this posting Mr. Rutherford it was really fun to see. Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:15 PM)

Say what you will about their owners, but Barney & Miss Beazley are cute!  I look forward to their holiday cams every year.  

Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 8:47 PM)

It is so revolting to be how Bush can reject a health care plan that protects children, and then having the nerve to have his wife visit children who need a health care plan like the one he vetoed. This really shows how hypocritical the Bush family is. Are they really that starving for good publicity?

Miss Cee, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 11:42 PM)

I agreee with the top comment, he vetoes the bill for childrens' health but then does this...he is playing a game

cld-los angeles ca (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:58 AM)

You just have to love Barney and Miss Beazley!  They are adorable. Dogs rule!!!!  =0)

"I wish I was half the person that my dog thinks I am"

Wendy Tucker-Smith, Lusby, MD (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:02 PM)

Really Miss Cee?  Happy kids and cute dogs and that is where you go?  Merry X-mas Miss Cee - try to decompress a little for the holiday season.  Even the authors of that bill never expected it to pass; it was written so he would veto it so they could rant about it and get their base riled up to hate the other side.  It was about politics not sick kids.  

The dogs however do not care about politics, they do seem to like parks and trees.  

John, SF Bay (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:29 PM)

To "Miss Cee", I would say just because Bush isn't a cradle to grave liberal doesn't mean he has to hate children.  Plus his wife was a teacher.  Its christmas... lighten up.

Ed Smith, South Amboy, NJ (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 1:24 PM)

I have to agree with the mojority here folks, Bush is willing to spend billions in war, but will not help the children of this nation by passing the health care bill. It is disgraceful the things that President Bush will do so no wonder he sent his wife to the childrens hospital. Maybe she should of told them that they cant get better instead of reading the book or showing the video at least that would have been honest of her. Oh wait I forgot that they are politicians after all most dont know what the truth is if it hit them over the head

Michelle, Cedar Rapids, IA (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:10 PM)

I'm just sick and tired people talking trash about the president. First of all I think he will make history about what he had done during his term that no U.S president has ever done. About that health plan that he opposed. I know he has a better plan. So just wait and you will find out. I think he is one of the best president this country ever had....

Rhaps, Lahaina Maui Hawaii (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 4:34 PM)

Disgraceful is an understatement here.  As a parent of a child who has continuous need for the skills and talents of a dedicated children's hospital, this Administration' s positions on health care and care for children are appalling and Neanderthalian.

Robert (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 5:36 PM)

The first Lady going to the Childrens Hospital for those who read the story has become a tradition since the Kennedy Administration.  Just because you pass/veto a bill doesn't mean you take out that tradition, and I doubt the President is against children, but he may just be looking out for the future of all children and your almighty tax dollars, maybe you should do some further research before you put us all in debtors prison, oh wait that was in the old days, now you just get welfare.....

Nicole, Ridgecrest, CA (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 5:42 PM)

Count the messages Michelle and Miss Cee, the majority are saying lighten up, it's Christmas.  I love the Barneycam and I love seeing the Bush family in this way.  It humanizes the White House.  Even the President deserves some light hearted fun once in awhile and what a terrific cause, our beautiful National Parks.  Save your political sniping for another site.  It has no place here.  Merry Christmas to all and especially to Barney and Miss Beazley!

Teresa, Canandaigua NY (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:44 PM)

Pretty sad, when even the children have no respect for their President.  Perhaps,  Mr. Bush should speak to the children of this, once great nation, and find a way to restore the faith of the young.  He hasn't had much luck swaying the parents.  Shirley  Colorado

Shirley Sedalnick Lakewood Co. (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 10:28 PM)

Remember that what MRS Bush did was a tradition since the Kenendy days. Mr.Bush didnt send her. Also anyone who goes and makes a sick child smile is okay by me and Mrs. Bush isnt the president. She happens to be a very nice lady with no power. So give her a break. Bash MR. Bush if you want but leave those with no control of law out of it.

David, Alvarado, Texas (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:31 PM)

I find if more sad that so many people just accept the heath care bill without actually reading what it proposes first. It was a bad bill...the parts the senate and bush opposed were basically ones that covered adults rather than children and the fact that it showed no preference towards the poor.  Funding it through a 63 cent cigarette tax increase is a bad idea as well...smoking numbers are going down, what happens when there isnt enough money to cover it?  Perhaps a better idea would have been a 63 cents per bottle increase in alcohol sales, at least there are enough sales there to guarantee its sustainability.  Overall though this bill was nothing but a push towards a poorly thought universal heath care plan disquised as being "for the children".

Marshall, KC, MO (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 1:48 AM)

Barney & Miss Beazley rock! I look forward to their videos every Christmas - they are so adorable...

But to all you Scrooges on the message board, I have a simple question. Be miffed about the Presidential veto of the health care bill if you must, but why is it not ONE of you bothered to question the fact that if your Democratically-led Congress thought it was all that important (or all that GREAT), why didn't they override the veto?! Yeah - that's what I thought.

And just one more thing in defense of Laura Bush, who has been an absolute role model for what the First Lady's office should be. When you have walked in her shoes and been married to someone whose official duties keep him busy every hour of every day, you can earn the right to criticize what she does on behalf of the President, when time does not allow him to do it for himself.  Until then, do the rest of us a favor and be quiet!!!

MJ, Alexandria, VA (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 7:14 AM)

I am an RN who has worked in the poor areas of a large urban city for 15 years. There are NO sick kids being turned away by hospitals and the state sponsored health program is far superior to my health insurance. The biggest dis-service we can do to our poor children is to create in them a mentality that they do not need to work for anything and that the government exists to provide all their needs. Conervative-haters ALWAYS choose personal attacks over real discussion about issues. Also, I guarantee you that conservatives exponentially out-give liberals in our donations to church/charity.

At least Bush's dogs are treated humanely. A huge problem in our 99% liberal, urban-poor areas is the cruel fighting or mis-treatment of dogs (esp. pitbulls).

Allen, StL, Missouri (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 8:21 AM)

Love ya Miss Laura and George cuz ya love dogs

Rhonda (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 8:25 AM)

This site is moderated by liberals....so much for freedom of the press. My comments are so much more relevant and entertaining, but never make it to the public view.

Conervative, StLouis, MO (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 8:45 AM)

I have observed that people who have compassion for animals seem to be more compassionate toward humans as well.  Then, there are those folks who will find something to condemn in any action taken by those with other political views.  Sad.  Merry Christmas to all!

CJ, Norfolk, NE (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:39 AM)

I love'd the 1st Barneycam, and I have loved them ever since. Politics aside, it is refreshing to know that the First Family is dog friendly. And terrier lovers to boot! As I recall there was another wartime President who owned a terrier, and her name was Falla.
I have more respect for people who care for thier
pets, instead of abusing them, i.e. dogfighting. And my hat is off to Mrs. Bush for taking time out to be with kids. Belive me, it's hard, when you're sick and in the hospital during Christmas.

Christopher Deady (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 12:55 AM)



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