First Lady Says No Apology Needed

[auntAgonist]

21 minutes ago


By BEVERLEY WANG, Associated Press Writer

NEW LONDON, N.H. - Laura Bush said Thursday that Teresa Heinz Kerry didn't need to apologize for saying she couldn't remember whether the first lady had ever had "a real job."

"She apologized but she didn't even really need to apologize," Mrs. Bush told reporters at a coffee shop before attending a rally for President Bush (news - web sites). "I know how tough it is and actually I know those trick questions."

USA Today had asked Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic candidate John Kerry (news - web sites), if she would be different from Mrs. Bush as a first lady.

"Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good," Heinz Kerry said in the interview published Wednesday. "But I don't know that she's ever had a real job — I mean, since she's been grown up. So her experience and her validation comes from important things, but different things."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041021/ap_on_el_pr/laura_bush

[Wickerman]

1. Damn, what a trick, a Bush* taking the high ground

mark it on your calendars. This is a day for Rove to exploit.

[Goldmund]

2. It wasn't a trick question, Laura

It was your husband's campaign exploiting every meaningless soundbyte they can.

[Pirate Smile]

13. The reporters were trying to set THK up.

[Goldmund]

25. How so?

"Would you be different from Laura Bush as First Lady?" seems to me like one of those corny questions that every candidate's wife is asked in every election.

Of course Teresa didn't mean anything by it, but it was definite verbal clumsiness and she should know what kind of a spin machine we're dealing with here. IMO, this close to an election, everybody in the KE campaign should stay away from any attacks that aren't strictly confined to the * policies and record. We don't have enough time anymore to diffuse them, and in diffusing them we waste energy (and time) that we could spend attacking their record. So, stay away from Cheney getting a flu shot, Laura not having a real job, all of that crap.

[Pirate Smile]

30. I agree, but you know they are trying to stir things up when they

ask a comparison question like that. She answered it. I don't think she will be answering any more of those kinds of questions.

Avoiding answering a specific question is something people criticize politicians for doing but this is a good example of why they side step questions. She isn't a politician but she will have to learn to answer questions in that way - and then people will complain that she sounds like a politician.

[TwilightZone]

22. Perhaps more accurately, it's the media that tends to exploit them.

Much of the media is, of course, an extension of the administration, but it's often the media that just WILL NOT let things die.

[Goldmund]

27. Nah... It can hang out on Drudge all it wants

But then when the likes of Karen Hughs get involved, it makes it a CNN/MSNBC/CBS etc. story.

[TwilightZone]

34. I probably should have been more specific. It was the TV

media that I was referring to. They latch on to a story and it's on every five minutes for days.

[WI_DEM]

3. well, this will be interpeted that Mrs. Bush

is so nice that there is no need for an apology while Mrs. Kerry is a shrew. Either way, the real story yesterday which now was sidelined was the Pat Robertson claim (truth) that Bush told him that there would be no casulties in Iraq.

[aden_nak]

4. At least ONE of the Bushs acts like the Christian she claims to be.

Let's not make a fuss. Let's let this stupid item slip by the wayside.

[Richardo]

5. Kudos where kudos are due...

...the women are so often much more sensible than the men.

[Pirate Smile]

15. If only that were true of Karen Hughes the world would be a better

place.

[Richardo]

20. There are always the exceptions...

:puke:

...that's why I said 'so often' instead of 'always' ;)

[Out the Parasites]

6. Wow - I thought I heard or read something that said she didn't accept

the appology from the bushco campaign???? Perhaps that was spin???

Damn it. Anyway I'm glad she came out like that.

[DuctapeFatwa]

9. That was Karen Hughes, who was mad because the apology didn't

include a reference to Laura's most important job of all - mother.

[Out the Parasites]

11. Oh good lord. If an apology wasn't even needed than how can Karen

be upset about it. This is so dumb. Anything for them to jump on - looks like the left hand and right hand aren't talking again.

[nyhuskyfan]

12. Truthfully...

The way her daughters turned out, she probably wouldn't even want that on her resume.

Darn, darn, darn. Sorry. In a thread about civility, I had to chime in with a cheap shot. Bad post, bad!

[Out the Parasites]

29. Whooooaaaa there...you know it's hard work and there is a lot of work

yet to be done in shaping and molding those girls to have family values.

I'm sorry.

I bet after they have been arrested a few more times for selling drugs and drunk driving, gotten a couple of abortions and nearly choke to death on a pretzel..they'll find god and the old mighty salvation, get married and say it never happened, then pass judgment on the rest of the world. yuck

[Pirate Smile]

17. She did. The Bush Campaign didn't.

[ProfessorPlum]

7. Nice to see someone around the Bushies can still

be a human being, occasionnaly. That was classy of her.

[nyhuskyfan]

8. Impressed by both of them in this case...

Teresa for being quick with the apology, and Laura for taking the high road and not making it into anything more. What are the odds that political discourse could ever be so civil?

Bush: "Senator Kerry, I just wanted to apologize for mispresenting your statement about a global test for pure, political gain."

Kerry: "No problem. It's not a big deal. I know how tough the English language can be for you to grasp."

Okay. Bad example.

[TwilightZone]

10. Good for her.

And I mean that sincerely, particularly after the ludicrous overreaction of the administration re: Mary Cheney.

[Justitia]

14. This was gracious & classy, I don't doubt her motives...

...and I'm no fan of Pickles.

I think she honestly means it, and going a step further, I wonder if she doesn't secretly want her husband to lose so she can just get the hell out of the spotlight and Washington D.C.

When she was the Gov's wife here in Texas, she was more vocal and personable than she has been as First Lady. I think the past 4 yrs have been a decline for her.

I remember reading an interview with her way back when, shortly after leaving Midland and going to Austin, she claimed to be a Dem until Shrub ran for Gov and that she is much more liberal thinking than her husband (I believe this was in reference to a woman's right to choose). Of course she has been silenced / medicated since coming to the WH.

Who knows? But in any case, in this incident, I think she is sincere in what she is saying and it speaks highly of her as a woman and political wife.
She has seriously outclassed the Neanderthals around her.

[michigandem2]

16. without offending anyone here I like Laura Bush...

I dont like that she can be married to a liar but last night when I heard all the bullshit about this NON story..I knew she would come out and just say..no big deal..she just seems like that kind of person...

and THK didn't remember...I like how the bush team was saying it was to put down stay at home moms..but GOD...she is a mother..LOL! so rediculous..this should make everyone shut up about it

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. I think with the exception of Mrs. Cheney, the candidates' wives

are a decent lot.

I don't agree with Laura on some things, but if I had to spend time with a * family member, I would pick her.

[Pirate Smile]

21. I agree. Lynn Cheney is the only one who acts like a nasty person.

She is vicious.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

19. I'm sure Mary Cheney said the same thing

but it never made it into the news.

[Bush was AWOL]

23. Good she showed class...now lets move on, media!

[delhurgo]

24. She's a class act, for the most part - except when she tried

to spin stem cell research. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive her for that.

This statement sounds good, but it comes late in the controversy. I thought she already did accept Teresa's apology. I'm thinking this statement today could be more an attempt to keep this story in the news for one more day.

[MISSDem]

26. I admire Mrs. Bush for saying that no apology was needed and

I agree with her. Anyone who reads the entire discussion can see, if they are honest, that Mrs. Kerry meant no disrespect.

[Chiyo-chichi]

32. As opposed to president Bush

who meant only disrespect when he said after THK's speech at the DNC, that "after last night I think the best reason to vote for me is so that Laura will be First Lady for four more years. Heh-heh-heh-heh."

[Z_I_Peevey]

28. Cynic that I am,

my first thought was that this is some sort of internal bitch-slap at Karen Hughes. Laura, as a wife, must have some sort of resentment toward the woman who mind-melds with Chimpy.

[Sideways]

33. Of Course It Was.....Laura Hates Karen And Condi

The drooler in chief listens to them. Smoke a doobie honey Laura then relax and when Chimpy is toast leave him and write a book.

[nolabels]

31. Cucumbers in a jar

I don't like vinegar on mine, thank you.

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