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 Laura
Bush: Four More Years!
Nancy Salvato
September 2, 2004 |
Recently Teresa Heinz Kerry was quoted as
saying that she doesn't think her husband is qualified to be president. How
unsettling that must have been for John Kerry, whose nomination at the
Democratic Convention was based on his war heroics and his family’s belief
in his ability to run the government. Both premises seem to be unraveling
and there are still over two months left for him to keep up the charade.
On the other hand, First Lady Laura Bush was quoted as saying that her own
husband is strong, steady, and disciplined…qualities needed in a good
President. Because she believes in him, she often campaigns for him alone
even though she’d rather be campaigning in his company.
When asked to elaborate further about her husband’s qualities, Teresa Heinz
Kerry admits being annoyed that John Kerry wants to learn about new things,
like painting. She can’t understand how he has time for anything else. An
educator, our present First Lady sees value in learning new things. Mrs.
Bush believes that life long learning is critical to ensuring a free world,
prosperity, and satisfaction.
Teresa doesn’t really aspire to be First Lady, which she compares to going
to a Carmelite convent. She never wanted either of her husbands to run for
President. Laura Bush, however, loves her role as the President’s wife -even
though it’s hard to be scrutinized and criticized. I imagine it had to be
difficult hearing Mrs. Kerry refer to a second term of the Bush presidency
as "four more years of Hell”. However, if Laura Bush needs some perspective,
Teresa describes all politics as unsavory; "putrid” the word she is quoted
when describing the Democratic Party. She distrusts many of the major
players, including John Kerry’s mentor, Sen. Edward Kennedy -who she once
referred to as a bastard. She believes that politics is a lot of "bull#*!”
Perhaps she needed a course in "Constitutional Literacy” before she was
awarded her U.S. citizenship.
This might explain why Teresa never makes excuses for what might be
perceived as improprieties. She doesn’t care how her actions might reflect
on her husband’s candidacy because her self identity is more important. As a
matter of fact, she only added Kerry to her last name for the duration of
the campaign. In contrast, Laura Bush would never do anything to undermine
her husband’s position.
Being in the public eye didn’t stop Heinz-Kerry from telling a reporter to
"shove it” when she didn’t like him questioning her and she disagreed with
his affiliations. Colin McNickle simply asked her to clarify her statement
about un-American traits coming into politics. His real crime, however, was
that he worked for the Tribune-Review -whose owner has donated huge dollars
to right wing causes.
Sometimes Teresa has tried to help her husband’s campaign. She actually
handed out pins that said "Asses of Evil” with "Bush”, "Cheney”, "Rumsfeld”,
and "Ashcroft” surrounding it. Can you imagine Laura Bush doing this type of
negative campaigning?
Mostly Teresa just publicly disagrees with her husband on the issues. John
Kerry has told the media he opposes same sex marriage and Teresa reminds
people that he voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, even though he was
up for reelection that year. She believes that same sex unions are old
fashioned. She even assures voters of how John will vote on gay marriage.
Teresa has her own agenda. Whether her husband is in political office really
has no bearing on her activities. Even though Cuba is designated as a
terrorist nation by the U.S. State Department, Teresa helped finance an
internet network there through her Tides Charitable Foundation.
Laura Bush, in her role as First Lady, has championed the cause of literacy.
She understands how important education is to the vitality of our country.
She cares about the future of the United States and wants to ensure that we
continue to be the leaders of the free world. The causes which Teresa Heinz
champions through the Tides Foundation are of questionable merit to the
continuation of our republic. Her agenda doesn’t reflect one of a person
born and raised with American values and priorities.
The position of First Lady is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
Being the wife of a President takes a woman who is supportive, reflective,
and knows when it is appropriate to voice her ideas and when it is not. We
are the strongest country in the world. Many leaders look to our nation for
support and guidance. The First Lady must believe in her own husband’s
ability to hold that office and project that confidence for the world to
see. Laura Bush is one such woman. Let’s hope for the good of the country
that she remains First Lady for another four years.
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