Passing the Torch?

A chat with Laura Bush and Cindy McCain.

By Jon Meacham | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Sep 3, 2008 | Updated: 6:52 p.m. ET Sep 3, 2008

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Laura Bush is wrapping up an eight-year run as America's First Lady. Cindy McCain is hoping to succeed her. NEWSWEEK Editor Jon Meacham sat down with the two at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul to discuss mothers, fathers, life in the spotlight, and the sudden emergence of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin onto the national stage.

NEWSWEEK: Thank you all so much. I want to start with the news. You both have been in politics for a long time, you have been engaged in firestorms that have flared up around you, probably more times than you would like to remember. What advice have you given or would you give to Governor Palin as she deals with this intersection with the personal and the political?
Laura Bush: Well we met with her [Tuesday] morning. But I knew her already, of course, because, we'd met her a number of times. We didn't dare give her any advice, frankly…We know she can take care of everything; she's very, very strong. But the one thing I said to both of them—to Cindy McCain and to Sarah—is to say to the press, 'Our kids are off limits, and that's just absolutely the way it is.' Because they're not running, and it's just really not fair to have the press ask about family members. (Article continued below...)

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Do you feel with your daughters that was by and large…
Bush: By in large, I think that they were left alone, and we appreciate [that], very much.

You met Governor Palin, before the meeting in Sedona.
Cindy McCain: Oh yeah, we met her some months ago.

There seems to be an instant simpatico, between the senator and the governor. Is that a fair way to put it?
McCain: It is. She's very much like my husband in how she approaches things, her attitude—her maverick attitude, her straight talk, her intelligence. The very first night we met her, which was months ago…you could see a great deal of similarities and also, good things. It was really fun. And more importantly, she will really work well with him, because they had a great understanding…their attitudes are all about reform, and prosperity, and so she could not be a more perfect pick for him. I'm so glad he did it.

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Posted By: Chloe123 @ 09/11/2008 2:23:09 PM

Biden and Obama say they are for energy independence, that unemployment is at a historic high and the economy is in the dumper. Well Joe Biden has been sitting in Washington for over 30 years, was in office during the gas crisis in the 70''s when lines stretched down strrets for hundreds of yards and odd/even days to fill your tank exisited. He was there when mortgage rates were 18% and unemployment was 10% (thanks Jimmy Carter) and what did he do to promote change then? They are both windbags that will lead the fringe left into a frenzy and the USA to the stone age of Robin Hood economics "take from the rich, give to the poor". I as most Americans have no problem helping out the less fortunate recover from things out of their control (disaster, disease) but I''m sick and tired of the Democrats platform that Americans should feel guilty about creating hard earned wealth. Why doesn''t Obama ask Al Gore, John Kerry, John Edwards and Reverend Jerimiah Wright to join him and sell all their real estate, cash in their investments and take a vow of poverty and start a fund to redistribute their personal fortunes?? Charity should begin at home.

MCCAIN/PALIN 2008-2016 --- CINDY MCCAIN RULES.
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Posted By: Honestly22 @ 09/10/2008 12:59:02 PM

I have three questions:

Are you pro life?
Do you believe in God?
Do you support the welfare system?

Bill O'Reilly, the media mouthpiece for the Republican party stated on Dec 19, 2007 in discussing the pregnancy of teen ,Jamie Lynn Spears (sister of Britney Spears) said that "the blame falls primarily on the parents, who obviously has little control over her."

Bill O' Reillys recent stance on teen pregnancy has changed in defense of Palin. His current statement on teen pregnancy is, "as long as society does not have to support the mother, baby or father, it is a personal family matter."

Now, I am not saying O'Reilly speaks for all Republicans, only that he is a republican mouthpiece.

It is not even the hypocrisy of these 2 statements that bother me most, it is the statement that "as long as society does not have to support the mother, baby or father", that I find most troubling.
Translating this into laymans terms means this is a family matter for the rich and not the poor.

There is something fundamentally wrong with being pro life and against welfare at the same time. Welfare is the only federally funded program available that would support a pro life stance for poor teen mothers that have no or minimal family support. The subsidies reaped from welfare are marginal at best.

There is something fundamentally wrong with supporting a pro life stance with Gods will. The God I am familiar with, would not condemn poor teen mothers.

The dilema here is, you don't want these poor teen mothers to have access to abortions, yet if you oppose welfare, there are no provisions available for them to make a pro life decision.

When the use of God becomes a marketing tool to further a political agenda, it turns into doublespeak and devalues God.

The intent of this post is to enlighten, it makes no difference to me what your stand is here, only that you "KEEP GOD REAL".
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Posted By: sharenews @ 09/10/2008 11:36:41 AM

You are asking the wrong person here about knowing the difference between designer expensive dresses vs. less expensive designer (or non designer) dresses. I saw the attire that both Michelle and Cindy wore during the days of both conventions and thought that both of them looked stunning. I would not even know that Cindy was wearing a 300K wardrobe with accessories. Given that, I really doubt that the majority of the people watching these convensions would even know what was designer or what isnt cuz I sure as H*ll didnt. LOL. I just observed them and was very proud of how both potential First Ladies looked. So my answer is I dont think it is an issue with Cindy wearing an 300K outfit was inappropriate cuz I dont think the majority who lost their houses even knew that piece of menusia about their outfits cuz they both looked equally beautiful.