USA Today did an interview with Teresa Heinz Kerry and the last question she answered just has a seriously unnecessary response and attack on the first ladies work ethic, experience and knowledge.
Q: You'd be different from Laura Bush?
A: "Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job - I mean, since she's been grown up. So her experience and her validation comes from important things, but different things. And I'm older, and my validation of what I do and what I believe and my experience is a little bit bigger — because I'm older, and I've had different experiences. And it's not a criticism of her. It's just, you know, what life is about."
Why does she have to take the nasty route? Why not just talk about the good things that she's done. While I'm not going to bash Teresa about never actually holding a "real job" herself, there are a number of things she could have mentioned, like her philanthropic efforts.
Why does everything have to be negative?
Most of us do know that Laura Bush was a teacher and librarian. She also holds a Masters degree.
Hat tip: Alpha Patriot
* * *
Update (5:49PM PST)
National Review ( Tipped by: In The Bullpen )
Teresa Heinz Kerry released the following statement today:
"I had forgotten that Mrs. Bush had worked as a school teacher and librarian, and there couldn't be a more important job than teaching our children. As someone who has been both a full time mom and full time in workforce, I know we all have valuable experiences that shape who we are. I appreciate and honor Mrs. Bush's service to the country as First Lady, and am sincerely sorry I had not remembered her important work in the past."
I admire the fact she realized her error and instantly put out an apology.
Other Commentary
| Blogs For Bush |
Captains Quarters |
In The Bullpen |
Secure Liberty |
Posse Incitatus |
Just One Minute |
Right Thinking From The Left Coast |
The Command Post |
Wizbang |
Conservative Revolution |
Yeah, Right, Teresa's a woman of the world, just not the Business world!
$he Married John Hientz! $he didn't start a company that became sucessful and worth Millions . . $he Married John Hientz! $he didn't ever occupy any of the Company's Management Chairs . . . $he Married John Hientz! . . . $he, as far as I can tell, has nor needs any real Business acumen . . $he Married John Hientz!
And when John Hientz' Biz Jet found a rock in a cloud . . . $he inherited a Gazillion Dollars . . . . Because . . $he Married John Hientz!
Then $he married John Kerry . . .
So where does this high brow Mattress Back get off telling ANYBODY else they have never held a real job? I suppose she was a Streetwalker before $he married John Hientz . . . That's about her full list of qualifications as far as I can see!
Posted by: large on October 21, 2004 06:40 AM
I think the apology was worse than the initial statement. You have to figure they "teamed" the apology before releasing it-- and it excluded Laura's job as mother.
Why is that even mildly significant? Because it shows the Kerry team's tin ear-- that apology wasn't for Laura Bush, or homemakers-- it was for the teacher's union!
And if anyone thinks that the First Lady "position" is without significance, may I remind you of the furor caused throughout the middle East when Lady Hillary kissed and praised Arafat's wife after she had just defamed Israel? Does it matter as much as the Presidency--obviously not. But it matters.
Edwards would be a heart be away, but Teresa would only be a pillow's width!
Posted by: Tony Iovino on October 21, 2004 10:44 AM
Well I THINK the term is first LADY...and Laura Bush epitomizes that. She is a warm, classy, kind and very elegant LADY. And then there's Teresa. Tony and Large, I couldn't agree more with you two.
Seemed to me the "apology" had a couple of barbs in there...in that she didn't remember Mrs.Bush's work "in the past"....well what the heck does she think Laura's been doing here????
Frankly, I think THK is a jerk, and I would be ASHAMED to have her as First Lady ... I can only imagine how many people she would insult and alienate each time she opened her mouth!
She never looks neat and well put together the way Mrs. Bush does...and seems to have just a nasty way of putting things that comes very naturally.
Mrs. Bush was certainly gracious about the whole episode though...made THK look even WORSE!
Posted by: An Army Mom on October 22, 2004 11:08 AM
