I think you are somewhat right but the correct answer to the question would've been "I don't really think that is the case.". If somone asks me if it is possible my friends are secret racists I'm certainly not going to respond by saying it's possible. Maybe a "I sure do hope not." but I wouldn't give credence to something I knew to be most probably false. The left doesn't need headlines and the GOP doesn't need to use the language of the left to defend itself. I like Laura Bush and I'm sure the question was a setup as most are but I don't think it is wise feed such ideas especially if you want to gain support for your nominee.
What is dishonest is how you are trying to whitewash what Laura said.
She stepped in it bigtime.
Laura Bush has been around the block a few times, she knew what she was doing. And I am sure she was prepared for the question. She and GWB are looking for cover from the great unwashed masses of pro-choice suburban women and what better way to go about it then to hint that the respected and thoughtful conservative opposition is possibly sexist?
Couching something as "possible" doesn't take the sting out of it. It puts more sting in. If I say it's possible you are a pedophile, are you going to dismiss it and say to yourself "it's ok, he only said it's possible." No way. I was called a sexist, that much is very clear to me.
What should she have said? How about:
"I don't think so. We have these debates from time to time and they are healthy for the party and for democracy. But I don't think it serves anyone to get into name-calling."
She chose instead to go into attack mode against us, something they wouldn't even consider when it comes to the Dims.