In a tense election year, Laura Bush picks an interesting ally: Michelle Obama

[MyNameIsKhan]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/in-a-tense-election-year-laura-bush-picks-an-interesting-ally-michelle-obama/2016/09/16/a1ff1abe-057a-4511-abb3-babeb2141009_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_michellelaura-750pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory


Is Laura Bush trying to tell us something?

For months now, most of her family — in a drastic break with tradition — has been resolutely quiet on the 2016 presidential race. The Bushes have been at the forefront of Republican politics for nearly four decades, but after Jeb Bush dropped out of the GOP nomination race, they have declined to endorse Donald Trump and mostly stayed out of the news.

But who was Laura Bush hanging out with in Washington this week? Some establishment Republicans on Capitol Hill in need of a reelection boost? Or the fundraisers trying to bolster the party’s control of Congress?

Nope. Bush was here for an appearance with none other than Michelle Obama. They were sharing a stage to promote one of the most nonpartisan of issues — their work on behalf of military families — in their fourth event together in recent years.

It is no secret that the former and current first ladies are fond of each other. “I like this woman,” Obama has said of her predecessor.

[underthematrix]

1. I also like Laura Bush, a former school teacher who loved books and promoted reading

Her smart daughters who I think are awesome turned out great - well educated, socially responsible, independent and fierce.

[MyNameIsKhan]

2. I think Bush family should come out clean and repudiate this crazy manic

That is the best service they can do to the nation...

Both former Presidents and first ladies must come out.

[underthematrix]

3. I think they will toward the end of October

[ffr]

4. A huge problem for them or any R is not towing the R line

I know the Rs here will call any of their own kind out as little better than Ds if they deviate. To them, it's all or nothing, their way or the highway, you're wrong and they're right and that makes you less than human. Because if they only had total control of every office, things would just be bliss. It's not because of you Ds and RINOs.

The Bushes and the R congress have dictated that loyalty of their followers for decades too. It's called cronyism. Problem is, at some point, especially after they've done their damage in office and their polices have once again failed, they come out against the very policies they crammed down our throats. They may even claim after the fact that we were right and they were wrong.

So I don't particularly have any love loss when they break from tradition and their followers call them RINOs. Any R that supports what the current breed of R supports, can go crawl into the hole from which they came. And I know it's in bad taste not to forgive someone like the Bushes, you know, forgive and forget, but it was too too awful when they were in power. They almost made it sound like just short of what the current Rs are advocating, if someone wanted to put Ds in front of a firing squad, that was being kind in their book, but they would be okay with it. Today's rhetoric just doesn't mince words, like in the past. They opening say they want to kill Ds. Line them all up, 'ha-ha they say.' WTF!!!

I don't care for them or their sick sick plots. To quote a famous person that I respect, this current breed of Rs really is just a basket of deplorables, mindless followers with Taliban like anger in their hearts.

[MyNameIsKhan]

5. You are right and good points

But I think what rump did to Jeb, that will make sure mama bush to come out sometime in Oct... Bushes in one press Conf will be huge ...

[loyalsister]

6. It makes sense

They have lived experiences that only a five living women who were first ladies have experienced. I think there must be a lot of things that no one else can relate to.

I think many former presidents are probably friendly with each other for the same reason.

[Warren DeMontague]

7. I never had any big problem with Pickles.

She's also pro-choice, supposedly.

[Tanuki]

8. Back in 2008, Laura took up for Michelle after a remark she made drew hostile

criticism. Michelle sent Laura a letter thanking her for being supportive. That was probably the beginning of their friendly relationship.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/09/laura-bush-defends-michel_n_106019.html

"Laura Bush also defended Sen. Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, for a controversial remark on the campaign trail in February.

“For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback,” Michelle Obama said in a speech in Milwaukee.

“I think she probably meant I’m ‘more proud,’ you know, is what she really meant,” Bush told ABC News. “You have to be very careful in what you say. I mean, I know that, and that’s one of the things you learn and that’s one of the really difficult parts both of running for president and for being the spouse of the president, and that is, everything you say is looked at and in many cases misconstrued.”

[Skittles]

9. I remember an interviewer trying to get Laura Bush to trash Michelle

she would have none of it.....she strikes me as a decent person, which makes me wonder how she can be married so long to someone like Duyba

[Sherman A1]

10. It's a very small club

of people who have lived through the time in the White House. Something of a shared experience and one that only a very, very few people will understand. I think there is a certain camaraderie in that shared experience.