FREDERICK, Md. - President George W. Bush wasted no time hitting the road to test drive his demands for an economic stimulus plan, going to a lawn mower manufacturer that he said would benefit from additional tax breaks and incentives.
 
“Any package has got to remember that jobs are created by small businesses,” Bush said after touring the shop floor at Wright Manufacturing Inc. “A good package will have incentives for investment.”
 
He urged that the package crafted include tax breaks for individuals and businesses to “get money in the hands of our consumers and small business owners to help this economy.”
 
After seeing how the mowers were built and meeting about 30 of the company’s employees, Bush took the helm of a riding mower that the company’s owner Bill Wright cranked it up and encouraged him to drive.
 
“Could be hazardous,” Bush warned, eyeing the phalanx of reporters watching.

He drove around for a minute on the mower, which required the operator to stand rather than sit. Then, in Bush’s usual playful style, he steered it right up to the edge of the gathered photographers and writers as if he was going to mow ‘em down. 

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– Photo credit: Reuters/Jason Reed