I work pretty hard at being studiously non-hip (it actually takes a lot of effort to feign complete ignorance of pop culture) -- and I found much of this completely embarrassing, as did my teenagers -- who actually are pretty hip.
What it proved was that while the twins haven't completely absorbed the proper raising that their parents and grandparents certainly gave them, Pres and Laura Bush love their daughters. And that's what being family is all about.
If it were a political ploy, I'm not exactly sure who the "Sex and the City" line was aimed at attracting. Talk about a show well past its hip prime...
The girls are not relentlessly controlled by their parents. Some people are very upset by that.
My personal opinion is that W and Laura are secure enough in themselves, their values, and what they have taught their daughters that they can allow the girls to be independent and not worry and fuss and fume over "what will the neighbors think?"
They came off as a little silly and immature. I prefer that to an affected little policy wonk who has been schooled by her parents to be perfect at all times because THEY are control freaks.
College aged kids probably liked it, and parents who are raising their kids like W and Laura probably liked it too. Families who tease will relate to it, and parents who have been occasionally embarrassed by their young adult offspring will also relate.
Neither W or Laura were angelic. Like their parents, these girls are going to turn out just fine.
I can tell their grandmother is all torn up about it: