CRAWFORD (USA), Oct 25: US President George Bush may not be able to sweep under the rug his off-hand remark that wife Laura personally swept the porch of their ranch house before Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s visit.

At three political rallies on Thursday, Bush offered variants of: “She’s sweeping the porch because the President of China is coming tomorrow.”

As Bush and the first lady awaited Jiang and his wife at the ranch here, a reporter asked whether Laura Bush appreciated the comment, prompting the US leader to grin and reply: “Yes.”

At his side, Laura silently mouthed a “no,” and shook her head.—AFP