Nov. 22, 2006

Bush Daughter Has Purse Stolen

Barbara Bush Had Purse And Cell Phone Taken During Trip To Argentina

  • Play CBS Video Video First Daughter's Purse Stolen

    Despite being under Secret Service protection, the president's daughter Barbara had her purse stolen in Argentina. Wyatt Andrews looks at whether the agent was right to not chase the thief.

  • The President with First Daughter, Barbara. Photo

    The President with First Daughter, Barbara.  (AP)

  • Photo Essay Indonesia Visit

    President Bush and wife Laura visit an important ally in the war on terror during Asia tour.

(CBS/AP)  Barbara Bush, one of President Bush's 24-year-old twin daughters, had her purse stolen last weekend while she was being guarded by the Secret Service during a visit to Argentina, CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller has learned.

Barbara Bush's purse and cell phone were taken while she was dining in a Buenos Aires restaurant.

La Nacion newspaper, citing anonymous government sources, said in its online edition early Wednesday that one of Mr. Bush's daughters had her purse taken Sunday afternoon in the popular tourist district of San Telmo.

A pair of thieves removed the purse from under a table while Secret Service agents stood guard at a distance, La Nacion reported.

Should the Secret Service have chased the guy? Absolutely not, former agent Chuck Vance told CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews. Vance said the theft may have been a diversion and the greater danger was a possible kidnapping.

"Their response is to the protectee, to be with the protectee, not to give chase," Vance said.

Argentine police told The Associated Press they had no complaint of any such incident on file, and the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires said it would have no comment. In Washington, the White House, Secret Service and State Department also declined comment.

CNN cited a law-enforcement source who was briefed on the incident as saying that "at no point were the protectees out of visual contact and at no point was there any risk of harm."

Argentina's largest-circulation daily, Clarin, ran an online report citing the government news agency Telam as saying that Barbara Bush had her purse taken along with a cell phone that was inside it. Telam cited an official source who did not wish to be identified by name and who provided no other details.

Barbara and her twin sister, Jenna, will turn 25 on Saturday.

Jenna visited neighboring Paraguay last month to take part in a UNICEF program for young professionals.

This wasn’t the only troubling incident on the twins’ trip to Argentina: a Secret Service agent on the advance detail got into an altercation with someone after a night out and was badly beaten, according ABC News. The incident, described as an attempted mugging, happened while the agent was spending time on his own, the Secret Service told ABC.


©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Add a Comment See all 90 Comments
by fascistusa November 22, 2006 3:48 AM PST
Throw a wig on GWB, go back 20 years, and you have Barbara Bush.

I'm not calling her unattactive. I'd still do her. Got a few paper bags around here somewhere..
Reply to this comment
by hondedoos November 22, 2006 3:52 AM PST
"First Daughter Barbara Bush had her purse and cell phone stolen as she dined at a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

WHOOPTY DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by carrickonsuir November 22, 2006 4:58 AM PST
Funny...! I thought the Bush girls were taking their licks in Iraq supporting their daddy's debacle.

"bushrocks1," thanks for being the poster child for the 30-odd percent r-tards of America that still support this monkey of a president. Or maybe you were W's supplier during his coke days? Relapse?
Reply to this comment
by rharrin1 November 22, 2006 7:37 AM PST
I don'y believe it happened just more misdirection.
Reply to this comment
by creeper00 November 22, 2006 7:55 AM PST
I'll wager it doesn't take Barbara Bush three days to put her life back together as it did me after someone came into our house and stole my purse on Saturday (while we were home). And I still need a birth certificate and passport.

Yesterday was a fascinating study in the way government works. I went to the drivers licence station to request a replacement, bringing a copy of the police report with me. "We need to see some identification; a birth certificate or passport." "They were in my purse. Everything was in my purse." "Sorry. How about your car title?"

I do have a car title, though it identifies the car, not me. It was six miles back home. I decided to go the county admin building twelve blocks away to get a new birth certificate. "Sure, we can issue you a new one now. We just need to see your drivers license."

Wanna bet Babs has to go through this? And why the secrecy? Is this just standard Bush paranoia?

GOPenemy, ignore bushrocks1. He puts that same post on almost every story here.
Reply to this comment
by lthomas0301 November 22, 2006 8:07 AM PST
This is to bushrocks1... if you just trying to bait people, well, it won't work with me.

GW1 is suddenly looking much better... despite the fact that I marched against his crazy war then, and now Shrubs. I could care less if Shrub wants to take out countries to retaliate against his father's supposed assignation attempt by Sadam, but HELL NO, I don't like innocent American troops dying for some zealot's cause. Let HIM go over in some tank and blow 'em all away. Take his stupid daughters and the supposed librarian wife with him, they could man their own tank on the booze alone.
Reply to this comment
by luvny-2009 November 22, 2006 8:18 AM PST
Wait this isn't the one that likes to drink like her daddy did (word on the street W'ya is a
alcoholic)...hummm guess that rules out that maybe she just got too drunk and forgot it.
Reply to this comment
by alphaa10-2009 November 22, 2006 8:23 AM PST
The Bush regime is a criminal act in progress. Bush and Cheney and other co-spirators sought objectives in Iraq which had nothing whatever to do with national security or al Qaeda. Bush, Cheney, et al continuously lied to the American people in congress assembled, and to this day continue to lie about the reasons and justification for the American presence in Iraq.

The ten secret, multibillion-dollar military bases Halliburton builds are intended to provide American control of Iraqi oil for decades to come, and a power projection base for further American military intervention in the region. The billion-dollar American embassy bunker in the heart of Baghdad has essentially the same purpose.

The brazen criminal act of Bush and his co-conspirators goes down in history as the worst and most costly political scandal in American history, a black mark of shame on all who supported and endorsed Bush and his party. We who witness the suffering of American soldiers, their families and Iraqi civilians must do all in our power to end this criminal administration. Lies created Iraq, but more lies will not prevent disaster of major proportions.

Reply to this comment
by alphaa10-2009 November 22, 2006 8:40 AM PST
luvNY said, "Wait this isn't the one that likes to drink like her daddy did (word on the street W'ya is a alcoholic)...hummm guess that rules out that maybe she just got too drunk and forgot it."
---

Without making too much (or too little) of it, Bush was president of his "Animal House" fraternity at Yale, a frat not noted for his scholarly focus. This educational gift from daddy aside, Bush displayed extraordinary talent early for political graft and corruption, and is guilty of making at least his first million on insider trading with stocks he owned at the time from Harkin Energy. By selling the stocks on a tip from one of his "friends" just weeks before Harkin tanked, Bush effectively lied about their value to the buyer.

This was the first reward of many Bush experienced for becoming an accomplished con-man and prevaricator. As Prevaricator in Chief, Bush continues his criminal career in Iraq, which some suspect echoes his father's criminal involvement with Iran-Contra, a similarly scandalous enterprise also involving defiance of US law and the US Congress.
Reply to this comment
by grumpas November 22, 2006 8:42 AM PST
His daughter is a nauseating as he is! Who gives a damned if she was robbed! Other than the poor Secret Service Agents who got fired over it...good for whomever robbed her! I wish the whole family would go away and leave me alone! I can't stomach to even look at her father's ignorant puss anymore!
Reply to this comment
by huskerarmy November 22, 2006 9:00 AM PST
Has anyone on the right even ventured an explanation as to why, if Iraq is such a critical mission, that the Bush girls haven't signed up? The party has to end sometimes girls... Do you think it will ever occur to them that that was but a small taste of the kind of, shall we say "discomfort," that many people, yes even Americans, endure daily? Nah...
Reply to this comment
by lthomas0301 November 22, 2006 9:21 AM PST
HE got out of true military service, he was too coked out to do a practice flight mission, was that it?!

His daughters are bar hoppers, come on, 25 years old and being caught on stupid things.

AND his wife... I have a special hatred for her, I actually respect librarians for what they stand for (information) and she has blown that all out of the water for me, she is a blasphemy like he is, I have hated him since Ann Richards (bless her soul) first called him Shrub. I call him that in memory of her, she would like it :)
Reply to this comment
by kirkswife06 November 22, 2006 9:22 AM PST
I think some of you people need to realize that no matter if you like our president... HE IS STILL OUR PRESIDENT! We need to back this man up and support him until the end of his term and then if you want someone else... GET OUT AND VOTE!!!! Most of the people on here probably didn't even get out and vote, therefore really have no right to complain about the president and what he is doing........
Reply to this comment
by mrshyatt November 22, 2006 9:39 AM PST
My husband, brother and father have ALL fought for your right to sit around and bash our country and president. So I take your remarks personal. I only have one word for people like you. MOVE!!
Reply to this comment
by lthomas0301 November 22, 2006 9:49 AM PST
I AM AN AMERICAN... which means I have the freedom to bash who I want, when I want. That may make me more a patriotic citizen than those of you who sit around and don't think critically or logically.

I DO support the troops, just not their Commander in Theif or why they are there in the first place.

Weapons of Mass Destruction? Is that it? Why are we having our troops slaughtered by nuts who will never conceed? Why are they ambushed by the people they are trying to "help?"

Reply to this comment
by uglicoyote November 22, 2006 9:55 AM PST
I also fought for my country. I was defending the right of people like mrshyatt to speak their minds and think or say whatever they wish. Him telling people to move because he doesn't like their opinions is , to my way of thinking, an insult to every person who ever served to defend the Constitution.

Husker asks a valid question. Why haven't the Bush girls signed up to serve in their father's noble adventure?
Reply to this comment
by lthomas0301 November 22, 2006 10:04 AM PST
Bush didn't bother serving his country; he even got out of his stateside duty.

As for his daughters... party on, dude. Dad did it, why can't we. And that would be the mentality, too.
Reply to this comment
by tinker3478 November 22, 2006 10:05 AM PST
Boohoo-she was down there on a US dime, no doubt, with Secret Service agents and she got robbed. Waghh!
Reply to this comment
by tinker3478 November 22, 2006 10:06 AM PST
Where's the other shrublet-in rehab?
Reply to this comment
by lthomas0301 November 22, 2006 10:12 AM PST
Scrub is an idiot, so go figure. Except his daughters can outfox the Secret Service.

Meanwhile, Laura (who I have a special gripe about) has a higher I.Q. than those three combined and she will just smile at the press about it.

Librarians! Revolt! Yell your anger about this!
Reply to this comment
by huskerarmy November 22, 2006 10:52 AM PST
"HE IS STILL OUR PRESIDENT! We need to back this man up and support him until the end of his term..."

Hummm? I don't remember learning that particular obligation in civics class. As a free thinking individual, if that is what democracy is all about, count me out! We need to back his right to be president. That's where it ends. We are not obligated to follow him blindly down every path or even to like him personally. And even then, we are obligated to back the right of Congress to impeach if circumstances so dicatate.
Reply to this comment
by loveplayaboy November 22, 2006 10:54 AM PST
Why is she in an Argentinan restaurant anyway? COuld this ***** not find good enough food in America? I mean, what the **** is wrong with American food.
Reply to this comment
by gladys_over November 22, 2006 11:20 AM PST
It is very unwise for President Bush's daughters to be travelling in a Third World country at a time like this, with such obviously lax security.

It would be extremely bad if one of his daughters were abducted and held by terrorists.

I know the Secret Service agents were "standing nearby," but if two thieves could make a brazen theft like this in broad daylight, a determined gang of terrorists could pull off something a lot worse.

Keep your daughters home, President Bush, for their sake and yours and the country's.
Reply to this comment
by lochlan-2009 November 22, 2006 11:45 AM PST
Why is she down there anyway. I hear from other blogs, the Bush family is looking to set themselves up with a nice 100,000 acre parcel of land purchased by the Bush girls. There is a lot more to it. I think the A/P is just trying to get people to look a little deeper into what might be going on down there, without coming out and saying it.

Search: Bush Paraguay, and see what comes up.
Reply to this comment
by lthomas0301 November 22, 2006 11:55 AM PST
This is on a familiar theme... the Bushes move in on something essential to the region and then exploit it for all its worth.

I hate him, and I think it's my patriotic duty to say so, despite the snipers poised kitty corner from the garage.
Reply to this comment
by November 22, 2006 12:01 PM PST
Maybe GWB is looking to flee the country after his term in office
Reply to this comment
by racam_us November 22, 2006 12:25 PM PST
Can we be sure Barbara didn't just get drunk and misplace these articles? Like father, like daughter.
Reply to this comment
by antoniof123 November 22, 2006 12:41 PM PST
Like father like daughter neither can think or has the ability to even talk. She was drunk or high and just lost her purse and cell. Come on unless the secret service boys are really a bunch of fools too. Of course that might be the case. Yea right!
Reply to this comment
by amberly8 November 22, 2006 12:56 PM PST
So what, lots of people get their things stolen. Dumb or not.
Oh, Jerryomara, you spelled LIKE wrong. You voted for Kerry didn't you?
Reply to this comment
by amberly8 November 22, 2006 12:57 PM PST
And PURSE...geez
Reply to this comment
by jingyilim-2009 November 22, 2006 1:12 PM PST
This was just a small incident happening everywhere and everyday, but well.. it's still got notices from people. Maybe this is a privilege enjoyed by the first family.
Reply to this comment
by jingyilim-2009 November 22, 2006 1:14 PM PST
And I am wondering what the secret service agents were doing at that time, lol!
Reply to this comment
by sailorsgrave November 22, 2006 1:19 PM PST
This just in.........Argentina is stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. We need to mobilize immediately and initiate "Operation Get a Rich Girl's Purse Back" while simultaneously bringing democracy, peace, and stability to the waitstaff of the restaurant in question. And for God's sake if our secret service guys are routinely getting beaten up in third world countries, let's try to keep it outta the news. It's embarrassing.
Reply to this comment
by frankdodds November 22, 2006 1:20 PM PST
The purse might be stolen by a perceived terrorist and I hoped that the Bush team is not planning to invade Argentina.
Reply to this comment
by delta5243 November 22, 2006 1:39 PM PST
this makes front page news ?
Reply to this comment
by maxgottesman November 22, 2006 1:59 PM PST
Wouldn't you just love to hear the REAL story??? It's rare nowadays that we hear the truth about anything. Especially when it comes to the Bush administration and his family. Go figure....
Reply to this comment
by jvman4u November 22, 2006 2:20 PM PST
HELLO?!?! Both girls are party hogs! It's most likely that she just left it behind as many have said- I question why are they making it a THEFT STORY, and what's this about an SS gett'n bashed, how ****ed-up was he and alone in ANY foreign city? then gets his AS* wiped, and now it's news, I think it's all plain EMBARRASSING!
Reply to this comment
by lthomas0301 November 22, 2006 2:52 PM PST
I said before, that she had more to do with it than a stolen purse... I speculate a Secret Service officer and her up against a wall, the purse got grabbed by a random mugger, and they have to invent something that sounds tidier.
Reply to this comment
by lauryta-2009 November 22, 2006 4:04 PM PST
Hola, soy de Argentina y a pesar de que esta noticia no es de muy buena prensa para nuestro pams, nos sirvis para hacer muchos chistes! Nadie sabma que estaban hospedadas aca, nadie siquiera sabma quienes eran, fue pura casualidad lo que pass y la verdad fue muy gracioso, es el colmo de la seguridad empalagosa yanquee (o el intento de ella...). Coincido con la mayorma de lectores que dejaron comments... Saludos a todos ellos! ;)
Reply to this comment
by arthurcl1 November 22, 2006 4:16 PM PST
Did you also read the part about the Advance Secret Service Agent was beaten up in Argentina after a night on the town? He was probably trying to watch her in his drunken stupor after his party night.
Reply to this comment
by lauryta-2009 November 22, 2006 4:16 PM PST
Por que no salen los acentos??
Reply to this comment
by Jasonian18 November 22, 2006 4:46 PM PST
well you do have to remember that there is only one news station that is not liberal and democratic and its not to popular so in order to get the real story stop listening to democrats spicing it up.
Reply to this comment
by long_rider November 22, 2006 7:28 PM PST
Who cares?
Reply to this comment
by jw218389 November 22, 2006 7:53 PM PST
She's way too hot to be a Conservative. We are going to find out that she was in Argentina to help people (a liberal thing).

Reply to this comment
by joule3 November 22, 2006 7:53 PM PST
Most of you people one here are sick and still rabid about the President's election. Your posts say so much about your charachters.
Reply to this comment
by joule3 November 22, 2006 7:54 PM PST
Most of you people one here are sick and still rabid about the President's election. Your posts say so much about your charachters.
Reply to this comment
by joule3 November 22, 2006 7:54 PM PST
Most of you people one here are sick and still rabid about the President's election. Your posts say so much about your charachters.
Reply to this comment
by pwf1942 November 22, 2006 8:26 PM PST
I know about two people who got past the Secret Service with phony press passes and got up close access to the president himself, so why is it such a big surprise that someone got past them to stole a purse? And even after they were told about it, they didn't do anything. What's even more scary is that Homeland Security is 100-times more incompetant!
Reply to this comment
by pwf1942 November 22, 2006 8:27 PM PST
I know about two people who got past the Secret Service with phony press passes and got up close access to the president himself, so why is it such a big surprise that someone got past them to stole a purse? And even after they were told about it, they didn't do anything. What's even more scary is that Homeland Security is 100-times more incompetant!
Reply to this comment
by pwf1942 November 22, 2006 8:28 PM PST
I know about two people who got past the Secret Service with phony press passes and got up close access to the president himself, so why is it such a big surprise that someone got past them to stole a purse? And even after they were told about it, they didn't do anything. What's even more scary is that Homeland Security is 100-times more incompetant!
Reply to this comment
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