On April 20, 1979 President Jimmy Carter had gone on a solo fishing trip in Plains, Georgia. While fishing he was approached by a rabbit swimming toward him. Press Secretary Jody Powell wrote this account of the creature in her book.
The animal was clearly in distress, or perhaps berserk. The President confessed to having had limited experience with enraged rabbits. He was unable to reach a definite conclusion about its state of mind. What was obvious, however, was that this large, wet animal, making strange hissing noises and gnashing its teeth, was intent upon climbing into the Presidential boat.
Eventually Carter was able to get the rabbit to swim away, but the press found the story too interesting to let go. Soon Carter was being questioned about the incident at press conferences and town hall meetings. There was even discussion of a suit being filed under the Freedom of Information Act to release a photo of the incident. After Reagan took office a copy of the picture was released to the press.
-Professor Walter
Photo Courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Library
This is news is it? was he attacked?
Posted by: Olivia | 03/06/2010 at 08:33 PM
Well, yeah, it was news. In 1979, though. Just an interesting piece of history. He was okay.
Posted by: The Wife | 03/10/2010 at 07:04 PM