It must be a slow news day in our nation's capital, since this morning's Washington Post carried a story about how President Bush "seems fixated" on the rug in the Oval Office.

According to the Post, Mr. Bush delights in telling visitors -- even world leaders -- that presidents can pick or even design their own rugs, so he had Laura design his. As befits a busy executive, he left the details to her, stipulating only that the rug should proclaim that he was an "optimistic person." Laura obliged with a carpet done in a warm, sunny yellow.

Lately, the President's pride in his rug has been creeping into his speeches. He's mentioned it in the course of three speaking engagements so far this year.

Nicholle Wallace, the White House communications director, says that the "optimistic" tone of the rug is "very symbolic of what [Mr. Bush] wants his presidency to be about."

I'm sorry, but I'm not impressed. If you want to know about a president who really used his Oval Office rug to make a statement, you have to go back to Calvin Coolidge.

Coolidge was once badgered by a congresswoman from the Chicago area, who was determined to get a federal judgeship for one of her constituents. The man wasn't qualified, so Coolidge refused. When her own lobbying efforts failed to change the President's mind, the lady arranged for a delegation of prominent people from her district to meet with Mr. Coolidge and add their own weight to the campaign.

In due course, the delegation was ushered into the Oval Office. Coolidge greeted them with an icy stare and said not a single word.

The visitors shuffled uncomfortably. One by one they dropped their eyes to the presidential carpet.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the laconic Mr. Coolidge spoke: "That's a mighty fine rug you're looking at."

Relieved to have the suspense broken, the visitors one and all agreed heartily with the President that it was indeed a mighty fine rug.

"Cost a lot of money," Coolidge continued. Another pause. "It's brand new."

And then: "She wore out the old one trying to get you a judge."

Now that, Mr. Bush, is using the Oval Office rug to tell people what your presidency is about!