Laura Bush a far cry from Hillary

[Khephra]

Before I began this column, I was at a loss at what to write about. I could start by criticizing the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" group, but realized shortly that there will be many opportunities to do just that in the near future. After all, lying cronies with direct ties to the Bush reelection campaign are easy targets. Next, I thought maybe I'd do a timely article coinciding with the beginning of the Republican National Convention, but that would ruin all chances at poking fun at the GOP's white-fest next week. Or, I could always do an expose on "honorable" Congressman John Hostettler's recent gun conviction, and weave that into a thoughtful piece on his lunacy. Or not. So, all out of options, I chose the easiest of targets: Laura Bush.

Although all signs point to my being labeled a horrible, horrible person following this, I couldn't avoid it. It all started with a round of recent interviews the first lady granted to mark the beginning of the RNC. It begins with a CNN piece in which Laura, with trademark glazed over stare, responded that she did not believe that her husband had made a single mistake while in office. Larry King, for the first time in years, was rocked by the ridiculous answer enough to stagger out of his usual mid-interview slumber. She then said in a Time interview that her husband "did not deserve any of the attacks" that Third Party ads perpetrated on him, but said of the Swift Boat ads: "Do I think they're unfair? No, not really..."

Perhaps her erratic behavior should come as no surprise considering the absurd speech that she gave concerning stem cell research in which she voiced opposition, because "I know that embryonic stem cell research is very preliminary right now and the implication that cures for Alzheimer's are around the corner is just not right and it's really not fair to people who are watching a loved one suffer with this disease." And the world sighs a collective "huh?"

http://www.indianastatesman.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/08/30/41336f48b9af7

[Larkspur]

1. Laura Bush = First "Stepford" Lady

[Skittles]

2. I don't care much for attacking Laura Bush

but when she does stuff like this she is asking for it

[CBHagman]

3. I think the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth comment is revealing.

A classy woman, a fair-minded woman, a woman who was not rabidly partisan would have said, in response to the question about whether the attack ads were fair, "Well, I'd never dishonor a veteran, especially a decorated one," or perhaps, "I'm not in a position to weigh in on Senator Kerry's service record," or something like that.

Instead she more or less says they're fair and justifies this position by the fact that there have been ads attacking her husband. This either shows a vindictive streak ("Let's get him because somebody got George") or a retarded moral development (i.e., two wrongs make a right).

But I guess the truth is that Laura Bush always knew what kind of negative campaigns her precious husband and Karl Rove can, and the kindly, non-threatening helpmate act was just that -- an act. It's merely the same old Bush family vindictiveness and destroy-your-enemy mentality -- among the worst characteristics of the Republican Party these days.

Besides, she's no Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton brought up a gracious and intellgent daughter.

[Skittles]

4. the fact that she is MARRIED TO GEORGE W. BUSH

well, that about says it all, doesn't it? :o

[Khephra]

5. I used to feel the same way

But it was, as you say, "stuff like this" that changed my mind about it. If she wants to play politics then she's no longer out-of-bounds. Once you enter "the game", well, then you're fair sport.

Of course, it all depends upon how you go after her too. I thought this commentator did it just the right way. If it had been a Rush-type of attack then I'd never have posted it.

[RevCheesehead]

6. Don't attack helpless women....

seems like the mantra of Rove, et. al. Laura has done nothing offensive to the American people, primarily because she has done nothing at all. People say "I like her," but when you ask why, they don't really know at all.

I used to hear people say the same thing about Barbara...she made frumpy fashionable, and generally kept her mouth shut. But those who met her in person have a different perspective (ie, Al Franken's LIES AND THE LYING LIARS).

Considering how this party is swinging far right, I am very afraid for all women in this county...including me.

Go, Teresa! A real woman of opinion and class!!