Laura Bush fine with McCain distancing himself from president
If John McCain wanted to distance himself from President Bush, Hurricane Gustav ended up putting 1,250 miles of distance between the Republican convention in St. Paul that will nominate McCain for president and the command post in Texas where Bush will monitor the storm's impact on New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast.
And First Lady Laura Bush, whose scheduled speech tonight to GOP delegates was scrapped when McCain truncated the schedule due to Gustav, apparently has no problem with McCain putting political daylight between himself and the unpopular president.
“I don’t think there is anything unusual in that," she said on Fox News Channel this morning. “If you look back at every single presidential race before this you’ll see that every presidential candidate…they’re running on their character stakes, on their qualifications, and that’s without John McCain’s doing. That’s what we would expect any candidate to do…I’m proud of John McCain for doing that.”
“George and I will do whatever we can to make sure he’s elected,” she added.
Laura Bush, who plans to meet with delegates informally today, also said she planned to speak about McCain's qualifications “and about Cindy McCain -- who I think is so terrific, has already done so many really great things internationally."
She said that it's possible that the president could still speak to delegates, via satellite from Texas, and said the changes to the convention were the right thing to do. “[Delegates] certainly understand why all of these events have been canceled, but I know they're disappointed," she said. "Everyone understands. Certainly every Republican delegate that’s here, everyone, all of John McCain’s supporters understand that this is just what happened and…the focus of everyone in the country is on the Gulf Coast and hoping that…people will be safe.”
McCain, himself, acknowledged a little frustration that the carefully-constructed convention plans have been blown away. "This is an overwhelming thing. Let's hope and pray that it's not going to be so severe," McCain told NBC's "Today" show in an interview broadcast today. "This is just one of those moments in history where you have to put America first."
McCain told NBC's "Today" show in an interview broadcast today. "This is just one of those moments in history where you have to put America first." Can I vomit now...... A campaign slogan.... Put America first ..... what about during Katrina when he was eating Birthday cake with George Bush while people drowned ?.. Where was America then ?
Good for our first Lady who has always carried herself with class and dignity.
As for John McCain, he really has little choice. The GOP convention must step aside for the time being? The result of the failed past reaction to a national emergengy by President Bush is two much to be associated with. John McCain will play the hand dealt to him, counting on the emotions of the american people; which isn't a bad thing. Aside from that, he is as I expect, all americans are, very concerned for the safety of those in harms way. The "american hat" is somnething all americans should embrace in the wake of hurricane Gustav. I wonder, how many countries will provide assistance to "The Americans" ?
I didn't know she was allowed to express herself and am not sure she is not some kind of robot. OH and WHO CARES ABOUT LAURA BUSH????
We learned this week that John McCain really wanted to choose his very good friend, Joe Lieberman, for VP but caved into pressure from the religious right. McCain will save his Lieberman pick for the Supreme Court --- sorry evangelicals but you'll have no leverage at that point on maverick McCain. Your Vice President will have no power in the process and a Democratic majority will confirm him happily! Check Mate!
McCain has to use this as political red meat - its a character flaw of his (not unlike George Bush) to exploit other peoples concerns for his own interests. Going to New Orleans during the storm will, exactly as Obama has explained, pull fire and police from their emergency tasks just to guard his pompous fat a**. If he really meant what he said about putting "country first", he would just send money and wait until the emergency is over. Hopefully this time around there will actually be emergency services available. He isn't the President, yet, and hopefully he never will be.
Such a 'terrific' couple, the McCains.... recommended highly by another 'terrific' couple, the Bushes.
I DO look forward to 4 more years of 'terrific' leadership on the back of the last 8.
Geez. .
"This is just one of those moments in history where you have to put America first."
Hmm, guess when you picked a right-wing nutcake female to pander to the far-right and try to steal women voters this didn't apply tho?
today is labor day; not moonbat day; but they are out there;in full force i might add
what eill they do whenSt.Obama loses!!
Aren't people tired of the lies?
Laura, McSame is distancing himself from your husband because he's one of the worst presidents in history. Dubya is done, politically, and you don't need to be parroting the party lines anymore. He can't be president again (thank God) and probably couldn't win the position of dog catcher in your hometown these days.
You don't have to lie, Laura... honest. Everyone knows WHY McSame is not wanting to be seen with, or heaven forbid, be equated as the same as your husband.
Don't treat us like we're stupid. We get it.
Now that ths situation in the Gulf is more stable, it is up to the President, the involved Governors and local officials to do what they were elected to do. This is their responsibility, not McCain's. McCain's job was to pull together the party and he is failing. I am looking forward to donating my money to the George W. Bush Library in Dallas, TX and staying home on Nov 4th. McCain's hatred for the Bushes is repulsive.
With all of the difficult battles women have fought (and won) over my lifetime, it is truly pathetic to see a first lady kneel down at the altar of her husband's (and his party's) ineptude, immorality, hypocrisy, and dishonesty.
I guess the "emperor's wife" has no clothes either.
And i thought "Stepford Wives" was fiction......
All this sick comments are coming because this article is linked to the the nutty liberal blog Huffington Post and instead of just putting wacky comments on that site t the like to spread it around.
#3 Commenter: I was thinking the same darn thing. Also, she's all of a sudden this bubbly, uber-vocal woman, literally vibrating with opinions.
Sheesh, she's barely said, "Boo," in the past seven plus years, now this???
Bush and Darth could still make it to the party of the century.........there's plenty of time. If they can't get a ride, I know of an airforce one jet that stands by 24/7.....someone should remind them about that.
SPEAK.........FEARLESS LEADERS, SPEAK.........AT THE RNC.
# 8 Commenter: You are a shining example of the mean-spirited republicon. Hate is very bad for your health.
Why not just come up with a good reason WHY you think the cons will win in November. This isn't a football game, it's our country, and I care about the country.
Obama can lead this country back down a path of reason, and cooperation. We are in dire straits, here, pal. I'd vote for repub IF I thought it would help repair the tragedy of the past seven plus years.
You don't have to save face, it's okay to VOTE GOOD LEADERS INTO OFFICE, AND INEFFECTIVE ONES OUT.
They should round up half of them at the RNC and put them in jail. That's a fact.
There are times when you have to put America first? Implicitly this is a confession by McCain that he does not usually put America first. In my book a US senator has to put America first ALL the time otherwise why is he even in the Senate?
Hyposcrisy is a republican fmaily value.
From his campaign slogan "America First" you would have the impression that he always puts America first. Apparently its only in times of special, historic crisis that he thinks he should put America first.
Later today Rush Limbaugh erupts with volcanic outrage at the realization that "America First" is just an empty campaign slogan, and not something McCain really lives, thereby proving to his critics once and for all that he isn't just some bloviating partisan hack.
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