Laura Bush: Sarah Palin lacks foreign experience but is a 'very quick study'

First Lady Laura Bush once defended Michelle Obama, saying critics were taking her words out of context when the wife of the Democratic presidential candidate said she was proud of her country for the first time in her adult life.

Maybe Michelle Obama will return the favor now.

Today Laura Bush told CNN that Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor, lacks experience in foreign policy.

You know, that's not been her role. But I think she is a very quick study, and fortunately John McCain does have that sort of experience.

Asked if she thought Palin's resume included sufficient foreign policy experience, Bush said, "Of course she doesn't have that."

But the first lady emphasized that she has "a lot of confidence" in Palin, who is in New York this week for a round of first-ever meetings with world leaders.

"She's got a lot of really good common sense, and I think that's very important," Bush said from New York, where she is seen above promoting global literacy at a conference at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "She also has executive experience from being a governor and a mayor, and I'm thrilled to have the chance to vote for Sarah Palin on the Republican ticket."

Asked if she thinks Palin is being treated unfairly because of her gender, the first lady said, "I do think there's a little bit of that going on, and I think it's to be expected."

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Jemal Countess / Getty Images

Comments

[Michael Huppman (Folsom, PA)]

I hate politics.

[Alaskan Soldier]

I like politics ever since I couldn't afford cable TV. Very entertaining. Especially since my former governor of Alaska and Commander and Chief (I moved) became famous.

[Patient]

Palen Who?????? What are they talking about. OBAMA is the man!

[stormyfyre]

She is a quick learner, besides she was in the PTA and a Hockey mom.

[whynot]

This should tell you how well these two will run the government, they do not even realize they are hiding her out in public.

When will Palin release her tax returns as a tax payer , I would like to see who I am hiring

[JenR]

Laura Bush doesn't have to comment on politics. The fact that she chooses to do so in such a nuanced fashion invites decoding. What I see here: "I'm thrilled to have the chance to vote for Sarah Palin," not "I'm thrilled to vote for Sarah Palin." Mrs. Bush is very careful with her words.

[melanie]

Then I would qualify as well to be VP. I am even a quicker study, at least I did not have to go to 5 different colleges before finishing my degree.

Why do we not stop this stupid game. The country is in shambles, we now need the most intelligent and the best people to try to fix it again.

And this criteria certainly disqualifies McCain/Palin.

[debora brooks]

McCain/Palin can pack their baggs and say goodbye. It's over, try agian in eight year and be laugh at again.

[Matt]

Dubya has exquisite etiquette and loads of experience in regards to foreign policy, not that Palin has any experience, but her lack of experience is probably better than Bush's way of handling things.

I vote for the better candidate and I don't like Obama or McCain. They both seem to be selling pipe dreams in my opinion. Either would be better than Bush.