Tough-talking Dubya doll like the real thing, Bushisms and all

A NEW President Bush doll is talking tough on terror, and just like the real George W it occasionally makes mistakes.

"We are working hard to put food on your family," says the 12.5 inch tall likeness, which features clips from Bush speeches. "I will not hold this nation hostile."

The $30 doll sold out a first shipment of 12,000 this week, and a second shipment will not arrive in the States until after Christmas.

"We anticipated it being a very popular item but we just didn't think it was going to take off that quick," said Jim Wessling, co-founder of California-based Talking Presidents.com Inc.

Most of the 17 sound clips are straightforward quotes about the war on terrorism and other topics such as "Terrorism against our nation will not stand".

Mr Wessling said: "There is nothing derogatory, everything is complimentary, there's nothing to make fun of him ... (but) the doll is a good representation of the president. There are two or three of his Bushisms."

It's unclear what Bush the president thinks of Bush the doll. The White House has not commented.

Mr Wessling and son-in-law John Warnock, the other co-founder, are "staunch Republicans," Mr Wessling said. Mr Warnock came up with the idea partly out of admiration for Mr Bush.