Posted by Mark Silva 10:45 am CST
Tough questions are one thing, but for a moment, at the opening of President Bush’s press conference today, a camera threatened the safety of reporters ready for Bush.
A photographer’s remote camera, suspended from a rafter of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room for overhead pictures of the president, suddenly fell loose from its perch at the start of the press conference — the camera’s strap preventing it from tumbling onto reporters below. “For those of you watching, we seem to have a mechanical flaw,” said Bush, pausing and waiting to see if the camera was going to fall. “Are you wearing your helmets?”
The strap saved the day, but served as a reminder for what a relic the shabby old press briefing room is. The room already is slated for remodeling this summer as part of a White House overhaul of press quarters in the West Wing. Among the renovations: removal of an old swimming pool beneath the floor that is covered with wood flooring and replacement with room for video-camera equipment.
“It sounds like renovation,” a reporter said to Bush, as the camera dangled above.
“I’ll take it up with the first lady,” Bush said.
