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Barney's last holiday video

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor December 15, 2008 02:07 PM

Barney's last Christmas video from the White House is a red, white, and blue affair that features this year's US sports heroes.

The first family's famous Scottish terrier about Olympic glory and helping win the Ryder Cup (the entire US team chants "Barney, Barney, Barney" when he sinks the clinching putt.)

President Bush wakes up his dog, telling him he has a lot of decorating to do. "We're sprinting to the finish, not napping to the finish," the president says, though some critics might disagree.

Then, Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, and Nastia Liukin, who won the individual all-around in gymnastics, make cameo appearances to praise Barney's decorating skills.

"I'm glad the decorations are finally coming together and you're using my favorite color, gold," Phelps says.

The Barney Cam was an instant holiday hit when it was introduced in 2002, drawing 24 million web visitors on its first day, the Associated Press reminds. Since then, Barney's holiday videos have featured former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush adviser Karl Rove, country singer Dolly Parton, and other celebrities.

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