Laura Bush in talks about memoir

NEW YORK - First lady Laura Bush confirmed she is planning a memoir and has met with publishers.

"Just a few visits," she said in a interview yesterday to discuss her upcoming special about the White House on cable's History Channel.

Earlier this month, the AP reported on Bush's proposed book, citing three publishing executives with knowledge of the discussions who asked not to be identified because talks were in the early stages and highly confidential. The executives said Bush is being represented by Washington attorney Robert Barnett, whose many clients include former President Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Barnett, who worked with Bush when she and daughter Jenna collaborated on a children's book, declined to comment yesterday.

While Nancy Reagan famously settled scores with old foes in "My Turn," one publishing executive with knowledge of the meetings with Laura Bush said the current first lady has vowed to write a positive book. The executive asked not to be identified, also citing the confidentiality of the discussions.

Publishers have a much higher regard for the first lady, a former schoolteacher, than for President Bush, and a book deal could be worth at least as much as Hillary Clinton's $8 million for the memoir "Living History."

ASSOCIATED PRESS