Posted on 10/21/2004 9:04:54 AM PDT by Michael Goldsberry
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."
Heinz Kerry later said she had forgotten that Mrs. Bush had worked as a teacher and librarian. "There couldn't be a more important job than teaching our children," she said in a statement. "As someone who has been both a full-time mom and full-time in work force, I know we all have valuable experiences that shape who we are. I appreciate and honor Mrs. Bush's service to the country as first lady and am sincerely sorry I had not remembered her important work in the past."
Bush adviser Karen Hughes later criticized Heinz Kerry twice - first for remarks "indicative of an unfortunate mind-set that seeks to divide women based on who works at home and who works outside the home" and later for an apology she called "worse because she left out the very important real job of a mother."
Sorry. it has nothing to do with the office of president and first lady. It has everything to do with moral centeredness, humility, and gratitude. Mr. & Mrs. Bush would be like they are if they were your next door neighbors. It is part of their makeup, their wiring. It has nothing to do with their station in life.
"...I know those trick questions..."
Nice, very nice and sweet jab at DuhRayZuh...you're rich but stoopid to take the question bate...
Laura is pure power and class
Oh, I agree. I said they are very classy people. However, President Bush and, Laura, both have deep respect for the position of President. That is possibly why he does not lash out at the dems as we sometimes want him too.
They honor the office and would do nothing tawdry. Of course, they, themselves are pure class.
I hear ya, sir. LOL!!!
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