Jessica Steals the Scene From Bush

Jessica McClure, the toddler pulled from an abandoned well two years ago as the nation watched rescuers struggle for 58 hours, is now 3 years old and capable of stealing the spotlight from even President Bush.

Bush scooped the Midland, Tex., girl into his arms Wednesday during a White House ceremony honoring Sioux City, Iowa, for its response to the crash of a United Airlines jumbo jet last July 19.

The Midland Community Spirit Award, named after Jessica’s rescuers, is given annually to recognize similar efforts.

Jessica grabbed Bush’s glasses off his face and faced the clicking cameras with them balanced on her nose.

Even as he walked into the Roosevelt Room to present the award to Sioux City, Jessica did not appear impressed.

“Who’s that, mama?” asked the blue-eyed girl in a red corduroy smock with Winnie the Pooh on the front, tossing her ponytail.

Later, as she returned his glasses to Bush’s breast pocket, Jessica discovered the President’s white handkerchief.

“This may make that--what do you call it?--the blooper of the week,” Bush said after Jessica tried to drape the handkerchief over his head and dabbed his nose.

After paying tribute to Sioux City as an example of his “thousand points of lights” volunteerism, Bush said, “Thank you all and as for you, Jessica, where’s my handkerchief?”

And as the audience howled, Bush asked: “How old are you now?”

She held up three fingers.

“C’mon Jessica. You want to see where I work?” Bush said, and the two, with her parents trailing behind, bounded off to the Oval Office.