THE CLINTONS PROMISED TO BE AGENTS OF change--and that includes Christmas. The First Family's holiday decor is clearly Democratic. If it's hard to see the White House tree for the forest of ornaments--some 7,500 were created by 3,000 U.S. artisans for the 18-foot Fraser fir there are some politically correct standouts, like a black angel and a snowperson family. An unusual Chanukah menorah is displayed: figures of five dancing men in tails form the candlesticks.
The tree has nice, self-deprecating touches: a Bill angel playing a sax and a Chelsea-esque cherub. (She'll spend holiday time onstage, playing in the Washington Ballet's "Nutcracker.") And, after all those Republican dogs--Liberty, Millie, et al.--Demo-cats are back. The crowning decoration is a gingerbread White House--inhabited by 21 mini-Sockses, doing everything from skating to hauling Santa's sleigh.
In private, the Clintons like their Christmases traditional--down to last-minute shopping. The president, whose habit in Arkansas was a manic Christmas Eve buying spree, hopes to get a "shop op" while in New York City early this week. The Clintons will spend the holiday at the White House with both of their mothers, Roger Clinton and Hillary's two brothers. The family always sings carols and acts out "The Twelve Days of Christmas." That night, the nation may tremble to learn, the president typically wears antlers and a red Rudolph nose around the house. God bless us, everyone.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
");jQuery(this).remove()}) jQuery('.start-slider').owlCarousel({loop:!1,margin:10,nav:!0,items:1}).on('changed.owl.carousel',function(event){var currentItem=event.item.index;var totalItems=event.item.count;if(currentItem===0){jQuery('.owl-prev').addClass('disabled')}else{jQuery('.owl-prev').removeClass('disabled')} if(currentItem===totalItems-1){jQuery('.owl-next').addClass('disabled')}else{jQuery('.owl-next').removeClass('disabled')}})}})})ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrK6enZtjsLC5jp%2Bgq6ukYrOiucilsKxllp6%2FtMCMp6aepF2starAxGafqK2jmnqktNGiZGpxYGqDcw%3D%3D