Laura's no Hillary but she's got a speaking role too*

Few noticed her inclusion today when the Republican National Convention announced its speaking lineup. Pundits immediately seized on news that Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democrats' 2000 vice presidential candidate, will speak for his friend, Republican John McCain. Liberals were furious, vowing to strip him of his committee slots. Conservatives were furious too, noting that Lieberman is pro-abortion. Can anyone say secretary of state in a McCain administration?

But the bigger news may be that First Lady Laura Bush is to have her own podium slot. On Monday night, she'll speak along with Lieberman, President Bush, Vice President Cheney and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Until recently, first ladies were seen but not heard at conventions. That tradition was broken in 1944 when Eleanor Roosevelt spoke at the Democratic convention. Then in 1984, Nancy Reagan delivered a glowing tribute to her husband. Ever since, spouses have had their own slot. And for good reason. Usually they're more popular than the office holders. Enter Laura.

Of course another former first lady, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, will have a prime-time Tuesday night perch at the Democratic convention.* (An earlier version of this post said Clinton would speak Wednesday night.)

But that's another story.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo credit: Damon Winter / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[John Stevens]

Laura's no Hillary? You've got to be kidding. Laura Bush is a first class Lady of impecable credentials that has distinguished herself as this nation's first lady. Contrast to the Billary duo who disgraced themselves in the White House. On any evaluation scale between these two women, Laura is a 10, and Hillary doesn't even register on the charts.

[bix dugan]

All of us can agree on the first part of the headline: "Laura's no Hillary."
For me, that's a tremendous compliment to Mrs. Bush.

[RR]

Yes... Laura's no Hillary..... Laura's 10x better than sHillary.
HRC needs to get over herself. The rest of us have.

[don't]

And what is pres bush
a minus -100

[Laurel Altman]

thank heaven "Laura is no HIllary."

[Jimbo]

Get serious folks. Laura Bush lives in a fantasy world. Nice lady yes, but nobody home.

[Lawman]

Maybe she will announce she's divorcing Dubya 'cause he's an idiot !!!

[acdlite]

John Stevens, what did Hillary do to disgrace herself? I don't believe she was involved in the decision making process behind the Lewinsky scandal. By your logic, we should all blame Elizabeth Edwards for her husband's affair, too. I'm by no means Hillary's biggest cheerleader, but she deserves AT LEAST as much respect as Mrs. Bush.

[MA]

Hillary is great! I think they were referring to the FACT that if you put Hillary's accomplishments next to Laura's, Hillary comes out way above! If someone was commenting on the sex scandal in the White House, then I think it wise to note that Hillary was not the one involved. Regardless, McCain 08" all the way!!!

[rptrcub]

Perhaps it's a consolation prize for having to live with Bubba W. Moron in DC and then having to go back to Texas with him and keep him from getting into the liquor cabinet.

[Bob]

"Laura Bush is a first class lady of impeccable credentials"? what credentials, she's a librarian who's never worked for a living. That's the thing with republicans - they love the elitists idiot sons types that must represent some kind of royalty to them. Give me a person who's pulled themselves up by the bootstraps any day over useless over privileged nothings like the Bushes.

[SWMIssouri]

Who cares if Laura is going to speak? I say it’s time to go nuclear on the Repugs. I just read an article where McCain’s folks are now calling Obama a Terrorist. Wow…that’s not attacking his patriotism at all.

So it’s time to take the gloves off like the democrats have never done and tear McCain down so that a dog wouldn’t vote for him.

For starters how about a commercial with McCain and Larry Craig? Maybe we can get some actors in stalls tapping their feet.

And how about McCain’s disservice while in the Navy? Release McCain’s Military records. Let’s see how those play out.

I want to know when and how John McCain became a devout Christian…and why we was pandering to Planned Parenthood in the past if he has a 26 year history of being right to life.

How much Money has good ole John made off the war…like Cheney and Bush..and Lieberman have? War profiteering is illegal!

The Keating Scandal where millions of American’s lost life savings…McCain didn’t lose anything but he was waist deep in it.

Cindy McCain’s drug abuse, where’s the coverage on that. The alienation of her Half-Sister, now there’s some family values. How about her constant lies?

Ralph Reed, another devout Christian, and Jack Abramoff…and McCain…that needs to be on TV every hour on the hour.

Every vote McCain has given against Veterans rights, against working families.

Last but not least how about the fact that he’s a dottering old coot that can barely remember to zip his fly in the morning. Does he have Alzheimer’s…how about a blood test to check…let’s see his medical records for more than a few minutes telling us what a remarkable behind he has. I’m sure we could have gotten that information from Senator Craig.

When we are done he’ll be lucky not to go to prison with the rest of the neocon Repugs.

Now there’s some investigative reporting for ya.