While out promoting her current book, former First Lady Laura Bush has broken with the views of her husband and come out as pro-choice and in favour of gay marriage.I think Mrs Bush gets kudos for coming forward when she didn't have to. That being said, how much more impact could she have had if she spoke to this a couple of years ago?
So, do we applaud the modern view, or is it just an interesting anecdote, and an example of her squandering the prime opportunity she had when she lived in the White House?
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8 comments:
You have to wonder how much the political spin teams told her to keep quiet. She was part of the machine and I'm guessing just like every other statement, she was told what she could and couldn't say. It's still a pretty big call for her to say it now, so I'll give her that. I wonder what old George W has to say now it's out?
I have to agrre with Rusty here. How nay teams told her to shut up and be queit. Or was she trying to support her husband so it would look like a one team couple in the white house. How many of us keep quiet for our other half. When I was with Jon, my ex now. There was time I keep quiet until we got home then we talk about it, but we were one strong couple together.
Good for her. I hadn't heard that she said this. Like others said, I'm guessing the White House wouldn't allow her to differ in opinion.
I hadn't heard about this! I agree she could have been a powerful advocate, but on the other hand, her husband was President... I can't really blame her for not speaking out sooner. She still has some power to her name though. Maybe something can happen now.
I have mixed feelings about this one, as I admire her for speaking out and breaking out of whatever rules or expectations surround her. And also a wish she had done it sooner, when she had the ear of the republican party and the world. That being said, every ally is a step forward!
Too little, too late. For those of us old enough to remember Betty Ford -- there was a kick-ass First Lady who'd speak her mind on everything and if it didn't agree with what President Ford was saying it was tough shit. He knew it, too and would never try to silence her. He'd always just smile. I think he was proud of her.
Laura also looks like she's been botoxed up the yin yang.
It's not unlike the major sports figures who come out only after they've retired: it's great they've done it but they're no longer today's news, no longer the big hero to the millions of adoring fans and their message, admirable though it is, lacks the serious punch it would have had earlier. America's short memory allows the information to be registered and then dismissed.
Thar said, I always felt Laura was in a different class from her husband, a man I couldn't stand to watch and couldn't listen to under any circumstances.
Totally agree Will, Laura Bush is miles ahead of her dumbass husband.
And I think the comparison to sports figures who come out after they retired is a great one; yes it is good they came out, what would happen if come out when still playing? Or if George Michael or Ricky Martin came out when they were still topping the charts? Now that would be news!
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