The reporter, Jon Decker, was about to pet Barney when the dog bit him. I’m guessing he’s upset about the Republicans’ loss of the election. Maybe he thought the reporter was one of the many liberal reporters who were taking jabs at President Bush and other Republicans during the campaign and just took his frustrations out??

Apparently, visitors aren’t even allowed in the Rose Garden when Barney is present, because he has bitten before. But, Decker did get permission to pet the dog this time.

The reporter was treated with antiobiotics and a bandage, and was asked to return on Friday for a tetanus shot. He’ll probably try to sue.