Laura Bush, 'thrilled' by Palin pick, warns against sexism

First Lady Laura Bush, the wife of a Republican governor who became a Republican president, has voted for Republican men for a very long time.

But now that John McCain has selected Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, Laura Bush said she was "very thrilled" to finally be voting for a Republican woman.

In an interview on CNN, the first lady said Palin had some valuable experience -- as a former mayor and as a mother -- that the other major party candidates for president or vice president lacked:

I think she has a lot of experience that none of the other three people who are on either ticket have, and that is she has the experience of being a mayor, which I think is very important. I think mayors across the country will tell you that running the city or running the town is a totally different experience from any other kind of government. Your constituents are right there....

She's the mother of five kids. She's doing that while she's worked. She was pregnant when I was last with her at the National Governors Assn., and since had that baby. I just have a lot of admiration for her. And I think she brings a judgment and a common sense to this that is just terrific.

And in an interview on Fox News, Laura Bush warned the media and Democrats not to show a sexist attitude toward Palin. "The other side will have to be particularly careful because that's something we all looked at," she said.

Asked whether she thought Palin might face sexism, as Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters say the New York senator did, Bush said, "I think that's a possibility."

Mostly, she was giddy. "I'm going to get what I wanted, which is to be able to vote for a Republican woman," she said on Fox. "People, as they get to know her, are going to be so impressed with her grit and her sensible judgment."

Later, at an appearance with Cindy McCain before the Louisiana delegation, Laura Bush again noted that the last time she saw Palin the governor was pregnant with her fifth baby. "Every woman in this room knows that she is really a superwoman -- that she is a mother and a governor."

-- Johanna Neuman and Robin Abcarian

Comments

[Clark]

What worries me most about Palin is her environmental policy (especially regarding drilling in the ANWR). I think it is evermore important for us, as consumers to support 'green businesses' that benefit the environment. For example, http://www.simplestop.net stops your postal junk mail and benefits the environment.

[Mike L.]

I am afraid that sexism, much as racism, is a fact of life. People who's ambitions include that of the highest office in the U.S. are just going to have to consider it a hurdle to be overcome.

Any candidate that great will find a way to adapt and overcome such barriers, those that fail and blame the media or the culture are not fit for the position in my opinion.

Mike L.
Austin, TX

[ellen]

So how does that qualify her to be Vice President? And now that her daughter is pregnant courtesy of abstinence only sex education programs, Palin actually said that even if her daughter was raped, that she should have the baby.
Gee, do you think maybe the woman should make that decision for herself.

[Maggie Lewis]

Laura Bush can learn from Palin ...

Although I disagree with Palin's characterizations in the clip noted below of Hillary's "whine", I'm glad to see that Palin acknowledges that the path Palin has chosen is competitive and that a woman must be ready to face whatever comes her way.

This time, she's on the road to the White House.

Now now, Palin, I don't want to hear any whining... Let the dogs loose and let the games begin!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEUG0XZ9OpY

[pacificGatePost]

McCAIN HAS SHAKEN UP THE RACE

PALIN shook up Alaska to its political and financial core.

McCain has made a bold and telling move selecting someone with Chief Executive experience – the only one to have any - of the four running for the White House.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/08/mccains-renewal-sarah-palin.html

Her EXPERIENCE, as short as it is, speaks volumes for her character. … Something many in Congress would do well to emulate.

[D Chew]

The media frenzy over Sarah Palin is just fantastic. She brings a breath of fresh air to this dirty business that is badly needed. A lot of politicians certainly fear what Palin brings to this election table. A female candidate that actually can hold her own; and on the frontier at that. Hang in there, Sarah. You are a real inspiration!

[Lola]

She should rather warn Palin against sex.

[McCain is a panderer]

----
Laura Bush again noted that the last time she saw Palin the governor was pregnant with her fifth baby. "Every woman in this room knows that she is really a superwoman -- that she is a mother and a governor."
----

As usual, Laura is full of it. I'm so tired of hearing that a mother who works is necessarily somehow so much more accomplished than a father that does the same job. I'm a father and I take my kids to school, help them with homework, cook dinners, clean house, and do a million other things to raise them right. My wife and I split things 50-50 (I probably even do a bit more since I do 100% of all the "guy" chores - lawn care, fixing things around the house). No one ever talks about how amazing I am for being a father and working a job though. A woman who lets her kids get knocked up though while she's busy working is a "superwoman". Talk about sexism.

[Electress]

Austin Texas, can you enroll this fall in a class at the nearest college to you on sexism 101? You really need to update your opinions. It's not acceptable in your home, in your workplace, in the media, and in culture. Get rid of it!

[Bob]

Ok, lets remember though that it is possible to be highly critical of this woman without being sexist.

I think she is an idiot for her beleifs and values, I beleive that she is largely incompetant as a decision maker. I think she is the weakest possible candidate that you could find.

Contrast that to Hilary and many other women who I admire greatly.

[Diana in California]

I wish Governor Sarah Palin the best of luck because she will need it since the liberal media and bloggers will go after her like rabid beasts. It would have served us well if the media would have done its vetting of Barack Obama the way they will vet Governor Palin. I don't believe the media will find any criminal, terrorist, racist or homosexual associations in Governor Palin's life.

It is crystal clear that most in the media, Obama paid bloggers and the Democratic party are a bunch of sexist men who are afraid of strong and intelligent women, and women Democrats are behaving envious of a beautiful woman who might be making history.

[Betty Welch]

Palin has NO executive national experience, NO foreign policy experience, and a 17-yr old pregnant daughter who is not married. What role model is that? What kind of leadership could she provide as vice president turned president in a moment's notice (or any other time)? Personally,I don't want a PTA-beauty queen running our country. If that's all it takes, why not put Miss America in office?

[Jane]

Bravo for First Lady Laura Bush and Democrat Party nominee for president, Senator Barak Obama for their statements calling on people to cool it and back off the personal stories of the Palin family, especially their children. These matters have no connection with politics, policy, and national interests. This story is a typical family story and every person who does not know this has not lived very long or has worn blinders and ear plugs when getting to know their own family history and stories. Or, they have been denied knowledge within the family, or they know the stories but had very uncaring and unloving families who remain in denial.

[Ben]

As a conservative, I am neither shocked or outraged by the fact that Bristol is pregnant. Children aren't computerized drones that can be made to perform flawlessly. Kids make mistakes and as a parent, I understand that.The best that can be hoped for is that they listen and adopt the values that we put out.
Family issues like this are exactly that...family issues. I also understand that this has absolutely nothing to do with Sarah Palin's competence to be V.P. How they deal with it are what show the true metel of the individuals. Rather than run for an abortion clinic, both Palin women have chosen face the music and to keep their children. They didn't punk out. That to me shows character and a willingness to accept responsibility for their actions, which is the most important "Family Value".
As to the important things like competence, she at least has executive credentials. She has at least run something (governor of Alaska and mayor of her home town) which is more than either democrat has done. She also has a record of bucking the establishment which is something desperately needed.
Remember, Senators are LEDGISLATORS. They run NOTHING in our government.

[Just-for-Bob]

Hey Bob!

If you are going to accuse somebody of “incompetance”, make sure you are secure in your own competence.

I wish you would tel us what it is we're to contrast? You made no arguments, just spouted insults!

[Howard]

Of course the media has coddled Obama and thrown obstacles in the path of McCain and Palin. Just read the ongoing biased headlines and articles on CNN's website ... and the way CNN's Jack Cafferty belittles Palin every chance he gets. CNN also moderates its blogs in favor of Obama, then closes comments after they load the posts with Obama bias. Also, slim balls like Daily KOS, Huffington, and US Weekly have shown gross bad judgement in their reporting. These irresponsible media sources have lost touch with objectivity, fair reporting, and responsible journalism.

[X_POLYGAMIST WIFE]

Sarah Palin and John McCain should join the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and move to Colorado City, Arizona where there are oodles of down syndrome babies, lots of teenage pregnancies, and ALL the women support white male supremacy.

http://www.bankingonheaven.com

[Library Student]

How can Laura Bush, a former librarian, support Palin? It is fundamental to the profession to oppose censorship of library materials. Palin clearly believes it could be appropriate for a government official to censor library materials. This is not the same as a parent limiting their own child's access. This is a direct assault on the intellectual freedom of her entire community. An outrage!

SEE TODAY'S BOSTON HERALD:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1117009&srvc=2008campaign&position=6

[from an unhappy republican in CA]

First of all Palin needs to stay home and raise her kids. We dont want a women that puts her kids in daycare or has the Dad stay home to raise the kids by himself as a role model. Sorry. A women that has adult children and more years of experience is a much better role model. Call me sexist but if we start doing this crap than what's next? Men staying home and breastfeeding?

I cannot respect a woman that puts her ambitions before her family. Children are our future. There cannot be deep love for hers as I have had for mine. They have always come first. Her stand on birth control is so out of date. Most families cannot feed and raise and educate 5 kids. They do not have the means. A lot would be in poverty if they chose to do so, I do not see any Christian values. At my church there are plenty of teenage girls and they are not getting pregnant. Gov. Palin blows a lot of air. She would be such a mistake if elected V. President. I could not sleep at night if I knew she was only a heartbeat away from the Presidency. I was leaning to McCain but since he chose her my vote is for Obama