Michelle Obama Owes Debt to First Lady Laura Bush, Who Was Her Own Woman

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Laura Bush has more class in her little finger than M.O. has in her entire large frame of a body.

Shelly of AL 12:41AM January 22, 2010

all First Ladies owe a debt to the original:Eleanor Roosevelt
"When Eleanor Roosevelt visited Tuskegee Army Air Field in 1941, she insisted on taking a ride in an airplane with a black pilot at the controls. ER's pilot was Charles Anderson. ER then insisted that her flight with Anderson be photographed and the film developed immediately so that she could take the photographs back to Washington when she left the field. ER used this photograph as part of her campaign to convince FDR to activate the participation of the Tuskegee Airmen in North Africa and in the European Theater."
most presidents wouldn't have had the "cojones" to do that.

walrus of TX 2:49AM May 01, 2009

Laura Bush did little or nothing. If that's what you expect of people, then she was a grand success. Consider these measures of her contribution: Girls' access to education in Afghanistan (worse if anything), and keeping boys out of gangs (no profound improvement). At least when Ladybird planted flower seeds, something grew. I was always offended that she posed as a librarian and teacher: How long ago and for how long? Let's see what she does now. At least Betty Ford was honest and helped others.

Blythe Woolston of MT 12:27AM May 01, 2009

I adore the Obama's and our First Lady, Michelle. I wish she would be a little more Hillary. SHe is a highly educated woman who can have a positive impact. However I respect the role she has chosen.
As for Ms. Bush, Godspeed. It was an adjustment going from Hillary to Laura. Laura picked her role as F.L.
Must you republicans make her a saint? Jeez!

Monique of OK 11:33PM April 29, 2009

I felt this article funny. I never saw what he meant by Laura Bush defusing anything for Michelle Obama.
No other First Lady is like Michelle Obama. Just as she is like no other of her predecessors.
I wonder why this article was penned in the first place. Let the woman enjoy her first 100 days as the First Lady.
Michelle does not owe anything to Laura Bush. Seems strange to suggest this!!!!

Lusia B 10:59PM April 29, 2009

Laura Bush was a breath of fresh air compared to Hillary.
Hillary was the first First Lady who seemed to think that she was elected to an office, that it was her right to shape national policy, and the first (to the best of my knowledge, anyway) to be so embroiled in scandals.
By comparison, Laura didn't try to steer national policy, didn't have one scandal after another, and was both charming and gracious throughout her 8 years, even when many in the media could find no good in her husband.
Yes, Michelle owes a debt of gratitude to Laura in returning the role of First Lady back to that of being a Lady. She is now free to put her own unique mark on it.

Enzo of IN 6:46PM April 29, 2009

When I think about Laura Bush, I remember the sad days after 9/11. The first lady was a leader in helping all of us grieve. She treated the family members of each victim as if they were members of her family.
I am confident she is happy to be back in Texas...having left a very positive image for eight years in the White House.

B Campbell of TN 2:43PM April 29, 2009

Each of them has had true strengths and charm in their own right.
Hillary was true to herself. That was how she raised the bar - being a person in her own right instead of just the president's wife. Michelle is like Hillary -a proven business professional - so she came prepared for a high profile term as First Lady.
Laura did nothing particular to ease the way for her successor other than be unremarkable. But she was also gracious in most cases, so no complaints about her for me either.
This is the age of women being equal to men to whatever extent they choose. That is what changed in the 1990's. Hillary and Michelle reflect this. Laura was more old fashioned, but that is not a negative - just different.
The person from California with the negative comments about Michelle's past obviously has an agenda. Schaefer also knows little about the First Lady. If Schaefer had taken time to really learn about Michelle, that person would know what a standout she has always been in helping others, intellectually establishing her credentials, reaching her goals, and being a loving mother and family member. Her warmth and sincerity is noted by all who come in contact with her.
I guess the right wing still resents a tall, intelligent, well-liked Black woman as First Lady. Why try to discredit Michelle? The President is who we elected. Focus your worn out campaign lines on him.

Dorfy of SC 1:55PM April 29, 2009

I am a Democrat and generally vote for most Democratic candidates. I stay away from criticizing wives of politicians who are politicians themselves. I had absolutely no problem with Laura Bush. She was not a politician. I liked George Bush as a person but I think he made many consequential decisions which were bad for the country. I think many of those decisions came from receiving bad advise, particularly from the Cheney-wing of the Republican Party. I have a soft spot for Laura just as I do for Michelle and Hillary before her and Nancy before her.
Wives will simply defend their husbands when they are under political attack, that should be expected. Parsing every word a first lady says, who by the way does not get paid, detracts from serious political discourse. Criticizing the policies of a politician, including Barack Obama, is fair game. Attacking their families is despicable. So keep it fun guys and stay away from criticizing laura, Michelle or any other future first lady unless they are on cable shows attacking others.

J Boud of LA 12:55PM April 29, 2009

Ah, John you must have meant, "Free to re-define herself"
I seem to recall that she defined herself as a Afro-Centrist, American hating Reverend Wright acolyte, who was "never proud to be an American..." and thought of America as a "mean" nation. She said, "We need to change the fundamentals of America.", and that, "the soul of America is broken."... But that she and Barak could fix it all.
Well, the Obama's dumped their 20 year old friend and self described mentor, Racist Reverend Wright, the "ACORN - in your face socialist" rhetoric, and now she smiles more and conrols her anger and tongue - The media requires soothing smiles and words in order to "believe"...
Kudos to Michelle for "re-defining" herself. Kool-Aid is easier for us to swallow than hemlock.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 12:48PM April 29, 2009