Posted on 05/22/2006 8:11:56 AM PDT by Daniel T. Zanoza
It was well-noted Hillary Clinton played a significant role concerning policy decisions during the eight years of her husband's administration. In fact, Bill Clinton gave his wife the daunting task of formulating a national health care plan, during the first term of Clinton's presidency. The First Lady's elaborate bureaucracy-creating strategies for national health care ushered on one of the early defeats of the Clinton administration and she was never again given such a role in governmental policy-making.
Although Hillary Clinton had to take a back seat regarding the actual workings of government, it was believed she played a major role in the philosophical direction taken by Bill Clinton's White House. Indeed, Mrs. Clinton was said to have exerted dynamic force upon her husband's policy-making and her legacy as First Lady cannot be denied--whether you agree with her or not.
While it is thought Hillary Clinton tried to pull a liberal administration even further to the left, it is becoming clear her successor, Laura Bush, has worked to put a more liberal face on a conservative presidency.
It is becoming evident Laura Bush may also be influencing White House policy on a myriad of social issues facing the nation. From the beginning of the Bush administration, it was said the First Lady was not online with G.W.'s stand on abortion. A number of early interviews, where Laura Bush was questioned on the issue of abortion, seemed to indicate her beliefs were more in line with those who support abortion rights. The mainstream media often pointed to Mrs. Bush's pro-choice position on the right to life issue which aggravated some social conservatives to no end. But it appears though Laura Bush has never been given a formal task in government, like creating a national health care strategy, it is obvious she has substantial influence on her husband's policy-making.
Shortly after the attacks on 9/11, George Bush made many statements concerning his plans to fight terrorism. In a famous sound byte, Bush said, "In the American west, we used to have posters, which said 'Wanted, Dead or Alive.'" Bush was referring to the hunt for 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden. The President's statement was a big hit across the country. Many believed it was time America stood up to terrorism after the passive years of the Clinton administration. But Mrs. Bush had a different idea about her husband's language. It was reported she told the President to tone down his rhetoric regarding the pursuit of Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda operatives. To some, it seemed like a bow to political correctness that many Americans did not want to hear after the murder of three thousand countrymen.
Apparently, Laura Bush's counsel is not being well received by many social conservatives. In a recent interview with FOX television, Mrs. Bush said the debate over same-sex "marriage" should not be used as a campaign tool. This language has infuriated some of the President's conservative base. Mrs. Bush's comments infer the effort to define marriage as a union solely between one man and one woman is somehow only driven by political expedience. Indeed, the President himself has seemed to back off of his call for a Constitutional Amendment regarding the issue. It is obvious Mrs. Bush has a much more liberal take of the world than her husband. Some are beginning to say Bush himself may not have the courage to stand up to his wife and to stand up for conservative family values.
Suddenly, administration officials are playing down the need for a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage, saying the issue should be decided by individual states. Of course, this is a ridiculous premise. Activist judges in two states have recently struck down DOMA laws (Defense of Marriage Act) and it is clear national legislation must be enacted on the subject--if the institution of marriage is to be protected.
Perhaps George Bush's position on illegal immigration becomes more clear--after witnessing the First Lady's influence on the President's social agenda. The administration has been blasted by Americans regarding Bush's call for amnesty concerning the 12 million illegal immigrants who currently reside in the United States. Is it possible President Bush's tin ear on the subject results from the counsel of Laura Bush?
The First Lady's influence on the Bush presidency may be a futile effort to fashion the administration as being more mainstream. The only problem is, a vast majority of Americans--besides social conservatives--support things like: a crackdown on illegal immigration, the protection of the marital institution, and a tough no-holds barred approach to terrorism. The truth is, if Laura Bush has an inordinate influence on administration policy, it is also true this is hurting the Bush presidency.
More and more Republican legislators may be deciding to run against George Bush's stand on issues like illegal immigration. However, in reality, these Republicans may find themselves running against the policies of Laura Bush.
BS
New fodder for the masses, eh? Throw them the First Lady for some new red meat??
Pathetic
These people just make it up as they go along. It's tiresome.
It doesn't matter because he got what he wanted from us. He never has to answer to us again. No re-election to face.
Did you notice the poster is also the author?
That President Bush leave his wife?
Get a divorce?
AINT gonna happen!
Not content with attacking the President, they are now attacking LAURA!
If and a big if she said any of this it would IMHO be more to protect him in the future when, as has happened, nearly 5 years later and Bin Laden has still not been captured. She may well have feared that he would make rash promises of capture etc that he could not realistic either promise or deliver on.
It's also interesting to note the FACT that gracious and classy Laura Bush is one of the most effective fundraisers the RNC has, exposing the lie of this attack.
As a moral conservative, I find it offensive that so-called conservatives have sunk this low.
They are despicable!
Apparently, your wife is OK with your rant. Maybe she is projecting the influence she has on you into your snarky claims about First Lady Laura.
The "Fala" speech updated. Very good. :)
Nonsense. The woman is pure class.
A member since April 17, 2006!!
You have all this inside information???
Where are your references?
Nor do you have the courage to defend yourself.
Sounds like another DUmmie has joined Free Republic.
That's quite an interesting view of represenative democracy you have there. Might I also point out that the topic of the thread was about Laura Bush and statements she recently made to the media that contradicted what GWB said and did during his 2004 campaign.
What next a headline showing how the twins are affecting Bush's popularity with the Loons.
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