When George W. Bush vetoed legislation on stem cell research last year, he marked the occasion by holding a splashy White House event nearly overrun with children who were born from "adopted" frozen embryos that went unused at fertility clinics.
Times change.
The president apparently vetoed Congress' appropriations bill for labor, health and education spending this morning. We say "apparently" because neither the public nor the press saw the veto happen, and members of the White House press corps first learned of it once they were onboard Air Force One en route to Indiana.
Even then, White House press secretary Dana Perino mentioned the veto so much in passing that it wasn't immediately clear that she was actually announcing it.
Reporter: Did you announce on the ground that he vetoed these bills, or is this the first announcement?
Perino: No, it happened right as we were walking out to the helicopter. So you can do a wire call after this if you want.
Reporter: He did it at the White House before he left?
Perino: Yes, right before he put on his raincoat.
Also accomplished pre-raincoat: Bush signed a $471 billion defense bill.
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