by Mark Silva
First Lady Laura Bush said today that the first family takes "with a grain of salt'' all the criticism for President Bush that is coming from the presidential campaign debate underway -- "sound bites,'' she calls the verbal shots at her husband.
"They're received with a grain of salt,'' she said of the comments about the Bush administration in last night's debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. "I mean, we've been in many, many debates, as you know. I've been on the front row for lots of debates, from the time when George ran for governor the first time, and I know what these debates are like.
"I know they're sound bites,'' Laura Bush said in her interview with CBS News' Early Show, held in the Map Room of the White House. "I know that people try to get in a quick jab of something to say that makes news -- in a good way for them, of course. And I also know that it's a lot easier to tear something down than it is to really say what you're for. And I think that's what we see.
"And that's partly what the candidates are doing, to try to get a quick sound bite,'' she said. "But it's also, I think, the way it's covered and the questions that are asked, that aren't long and thoughtful questions, but rather quick, looking for a quick, interesting answer.''
Does she worry about the impact of all this on her husband's legacy?
"No, I really don't,'' the first lady said. "I really don't. I think that over the long term, as historians look at his presidency, there are so many, many accomplishments. And I think that that's what will -- when the partisan rancor is gone, that that's what will show up.''
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Comments
The Bush administration will be judged historically on one thing only: whether or not a thriving democracy is born in Iraq. The same as the Lincoln Presidency was judged on the civil war and the reconstruction of the south.
Anyone making snap judgements on that is doing so way ahead of time. Whether it's a success or failure we already know it's a more important presidency than that of, say, George H.W. Bush or Bill Clinton.
Posted by: Jeff | February 27, 2008 10:49 AM
She can talk? Too bad she's an idiot based on what she had to say. Hey lady, your husband destroyed our country, how's that make you feel? Oh yeah, you probably feel the same thing you felt after you killed your high school sweetheart...nothing!
Posted by: mark marx | February 27, 2008 10:54 AM
It'd make sense that they take ANY information "with a grain of salt," as we certainly take any of the drivel that's spewed from the White House. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day, after all. What's DOUBTFUL, though, is that any information not in complete agreement with what Bushco wants to hear is taken -- AT ALL.
Posted by: Op109 | February 27, 2008 11:02 AM
Well, I don't think anyone expects Laura and George to take anything serious seriously.
They've adequately demonstrated their thick hides to criticism during seven years of Bush's destructive presidency.
I suspect, in Laura's case, this ability developed from years of practice against the many embarrassments of her long-drunken husband.
George, well, how do you describe someone who kills a million souls without a blink of an eye? I believe the clinical term is psychopath.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | February 27, 2008 11:02 AM
Laura Bush is a good woman, regardless of what you think of her husband. John Chuckman's thoughts matter little. Stinkin hoity toity Canadians.
Posted by: Steve S | February 27, 2008 11:27 AM
Whether it's a success or failure we already know it's a more important presidency than that of, say, George H.W. Bush or Bill Clinton.
Posted by: Jeff | February 27, 2008 10:49 AM
Huh? You're joking right?
His father was President during the utter collapse of the Soviet block, a situation that could have gone far, far worse than it did, and that had grave implications for every living person on the planet.
Get some perspective Jeff. Iraq is just not that important to the history of the world. Just as the world didn't end because South Vietnam didn't survive, it's not going to make all that much difference if Iraq becomes a democracy or not. That Iraq is critical to the world is a delusion limited to you, Bush and McCain.
Posted by: Luke | February 27, 2008 11:51 AM
Jeff's still living in the delusion that Iraq had something to do with 9/11 and al-Qaeda was operating in Iraq prior to our invasion.
Posted by: jethro | February 27, 2008 11:57 AM
Coming from the Bush-ess in the backwash of her husband's "accomplishments", this sounds a lot like Texan for "Let them eat cake!"
Sharpen them ol' guillotines, citizens! Liberty, Equality and Fraternity to y'all!
Posted by: LeFarge | February 27, 2008 12:16 PM
Well, 'important' doesn't necessarily mean anything positive.
Posted by: Cheryl | February 27, 2008 12:23 PM
YouTube - OBAMA'S LIMO SEX & DRUG PARTY
Posted by: abcz | February 27, 2008 12:49 PM
I wonder if Laura ever thinks of the thousands of Americans, and the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed in relation to her husband and his 16 word lie during a SOTUA. Have a sweet daughter's wedding, Laura. Think how your daughter would struggle to walk down the aisle with a prosthetic leg from Iraq, or else being pushed in a wheelchair. No, children of chickenhawks get an easy life, and are just hot-house bland, nothing tomatoes. And, enjoy the rose-colored cornea transplant that you must have had years ago. How can Laura take "with a grain of salt" the unspoken things in so many American's hearts? The woman's sense of self-importance is funny. What are those stories and quotes on the net about Laura smoking and or selling pot in her younger years? DUI and pot DECIDERS--like carrots and peas. And then they decide on OTHERS' fates re life and death--more like SALT IN OUR WOUNDS.
Posted by: Vivian | February 27, 2008 12:50 PM
"THE FIRST LADY SPEAKS"
SCOOTER DID IT! DICK DID IT! CONDI DID IT! NOT MY GEORGE AMERICA, YOU DON'T KNOW HIM LIKE I DO!
HE UPHELD THE CONSTITUTION. SO WHAT IF HE ISN'T "INTERNET SAAVY" A LOT OF AMERICANS LOSE THEIR EMAILS EVERY DAY.
YOU DON'T SEE ANY CONGRESSIONAL CHURN THERE.
SO WHAT IF WE EAVESDROPPED AND WIRETAPPED AMERICANS WITHOUT A WARRANT. IT IS THE AT&T / FANNIE WAY. HOW ELSE CAN YOU GET "PORTAL" INFORMATION ON EVERY AMERICAN WITH A LAND LINE TELEPHONE!
"THE CHAIRMAN" DID IT! NOT MY GEORGE!
SO WHAT IF MY GEORGE FABRICATED RENDENTION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND TOLD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WELL THAT'S JUST CRACK. SO WHAT IF EVERY PERSON GEORGE ATTEMPTED TO SELECT HAD A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND. THE EMAILS WERE LOST AND HE COULDN'T ASSESS THE ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF NO PROTECTION FROM LIABILITY.
THAT WAS DUSTY'S FAULT!
NOT MY GEORGE, NOT MY GEORGE.
OH GEORGE LETS, OH GEORGE LETS JUST FORGET AMERICA FOR THE NEXT 252 DAYS.
COME ON GEORGE, JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES AND IT WILL ALL BE OVER SOON!
1-800-WAH-WAH-WAH
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 27, 2008 12:58 PM
Jeff,
First, your premise is absurd. Second, here's your thriving democracy. Thanks, W:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge
Posted by: dt | February 27, 2008 1:15 PM
Life is always easy in stepford.
Posted by: bill r. | February 27, 2008 1:19 PM
Who cares what Laura Bush thinks? She knows nothing about policy. She's just the faithful doting wife, standing idly by while hubby destroys the country. American hero? I think not. Shut your yap, first lady.
Posted by: Nick | February 27, 2008 1:20 PM
I'm sitting on Chimpy Bush's legacy right now!
http://amishdonkey.com/whatever.php
Posted by: John E | February 27, 2008 1:53 PM
I agree with Laura. Damn those noisy but gutless Democrats! George had his reasons for covering up what really happened on 9-11, and reasons for kidnaping innocent people and then torture them until they confessed to what he wanted them to say. So what if he lied in his conspiracy for wars in the middle east! She is doing her duty she feels she owes her life-mate. Poor lady.
Posted by: Philip J Dennany | February 27, 2008 1:59 PM
The Bush administration will be judged for all kinds of things: 9/11, Katrina, Iraq, Abu Ghraib, Tora Bora, Mission Accomplished, rendition, waterboarding, Attorney General Gonzales, the K street project, Abramoff, the GOP culture of corruption, and a trillion dollars in war spending leading to record deficits. He's a lock for Worst President Ever, whatever happens in Iraq after we leave.
Posted by: Tom O | February 27, 2008 2:00 PM
Sure Shrub's killed more people than Laura, but she killed someone up close and personal.
Me to Laurabot: Shut your pie hole!
Posted by: weinerdog43 | February 27, 2008 2:20 PM
Sounds like Laura has been admitted to the Bush Bubble. If they had listened to multiple sources including critics things may have been more nimble and effective. Yes men and political cronies do not provide the critical information needed to make the best decisions.
Posted by: pd | February 27, 2008 3:23 PM
Obviously the folks, I mean the idiots, that post there comments here are whining cry babies who would kneel down and beg for their lives instead of fighting for their country if the occasion ever arose. You are all nothing but liberal, whining, gutless swines.
Posted by: Ken Brown | February 27, 2008 9:17 PM
Poor Ken Brown; You and your ilk are on the way out. Into the dustbin of history you go.
Posted by: TheReamer | February 27, 2008 9:50 PM