Posted on 10/21/2004 12:15:45 PM PDT by The_Victor
NEW LONDON, N.H. (Reuters) - U.S. first lady Laura Bush on Thursday dismissed as unimportant a comment by the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) that Mrs. Bush was someone who had not held a "real job." She played down a controversy that blew up over the remark and expressed sympathy for Teresa Heinz Kerry for having to handle the pressures of being on the campaign trail and answer reporters' questions.
"It doesn't matter to me," Mrs. Bush told reporters as she campaigned in the swing state of New Hampshire. "It was perfectly alright. She apologized and she didn't even really need to apologize," Mrs. Bush said.
"I know how tough it is. Actually, I know those trick questions, too," she said.
Asked how she would be different from Mrs. Bush if John Kerry won the Nov. 2 election, Heinz Kerry told USA Today: "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. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job -- I mean, since she's been grown up."
Heinz Kerry, a philanthropist and heiress to a Heinz ketchup fortune of more than $500 million, later apologized for her comment, saying she had forgotten Mrs. Bush's work as a teacher and librarian, "and there couldn't be a more important job than teaching our children."
Bush campaign adviser Karen Hughes called Heinz Kerry's remark "unfortunate" and said it was aimed at dividing women.
Laura Bush is a class act unlike the opposing candidates wife.
Laura Bush is a LADY...our First Lady!
She does have a sparkle in her eye. You can't fake that sort of thing.
Infinitely classier. Laura Bush handled it so well, I almost feel sorry for Teresa...almost.
The difference between the two is clear:
Class vs. Crass
I am proud of our First Lady.
Nicely done Mrs Bush.
In the future, references about Heinze Kerry should be posted as Heinze Ketchup.
Her comments also have an added benefit of showing the contrast between her and Te-ray-zuh. Could you imagine the Heinz heiress saying something like what our First Lady did?
THE CURSE OF THE A-ROD
Mrs. Bush should have her middle name changed to "Grace," because that is what she exhibits.
"First Lady ignores babbling pyscho idiot."
Does everybody get the Karen Hughes comments .. THEY CAME DIRECTLY FROM LAURA's HUSBAND - GW.
And .. I think that since the dems had now ridiculed 3 female members of the campaign - GW decided he needed to put a stop to it. Hopefully, the dems got the message.
Actually .. from the beginning - Laura said, "no apology is necessary" .. BEFORE THK MADE HER APOLOGY PUBLIC.
Laura is always a lady. Her reply regarding Heinz-Kerry's remarks was perfect.
Frau Heinz is a Mozambiquean doctor's daughter, not a real aristocrat or even a member of one America's founding families. She married her money and influence. Absent Sen. Heinz's upper class standing, there's no way Theresa would be listed in the Social Register or be able to afford her gigolo Gianni Kerry the lifestyle to which he has become so easily accustomed.
Frau Heinz and Mrs. Bush are of solidly upper-middle class origins.
This makes all the talk about Frau Heinz the billionairess so risible: she's a nouveaux riche behaving with as little class as the stereotype of the parvenu would lead one to expect. This behavior did not begin until after her original mealticket died and left her the keys to the kingdom.
Mrs. Bush married into an equally upper class family, but one not nearly as locally prominent when she married in. She has always comported herself with grace and humility and does not appear to be status driven in the way Frau Heinz is.
“Clothing is wonderful, but let them go naked for a while, at least the kids,"
Unfortunately, I believe some Dems view Lady Laura's grace as "plastic" and Hagetha Heinz's rudeness as "refreshing."
Laura is an incredible role model.
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