Laura Bush On Giving Michelle Obama A White House Tour: "I Showed Her The Closets, I Showed Her All The Things That Women Are Interested In"

First Lady Laura Bush talked for the first time about her private meeting with Michelle Obama on Monday. When asked if she shared any White House parenting advice with the future First Lady, Laura Bush responded, "Not really. I think I showed her the closets, I showed her all the things that women are interested in. But I didn't try to give her a lot of advice."

Read on for the rest of the interview with CNN:

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The role of the First Lady is certainly something that I'm sure you discussed with Mrs. Obama earlier this week. How did that visit go? And could you tell us any anecdotes?

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Well it went great. It was very private, really. It was really much more, I think, two mothers talking about home more in this visit, because of course I showed her the rooms that are our girls' rooms now that I think are the perfect rooms for her girls when they move there.

We talked more about really making the White House a home for a family. And what I know from having lived here and from visiting my mother-in-law when she made this family a home and from reading about all the other families that have lived here is this house really can be a home. And I know that they'll make it that way for their little girls.

QUIJANO: Certainly, there must be some increased pressure, a lot of scrutiny, of course, living in the White House. I was wondering, did you share any advice with her as a mother who has been through it, having had two daughters spending some formative years?

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L. BUSH: Not really. I think I showed her the closets, I showed her all the things that women are interested in. But I didn't try to give her a lot of advice. I know she knows that she can make it home.

And that's what she wants to do.

QUIJANO: Last question then. Your husband, the day after the election, talked about it being a stirring sight to see the Obamas because of the historic nature of having the nation's first African-American president. I wonder if you could share your thoughts on that, as well?

L. BUSH: Well I also think it's very, very important. I think it's important for American history. I think it's a message to everybody in the United States of what's possible. But it's also a message around the world because I know, because I heard from them, that there were leaders in the -- around the world who didn't think the United States would elect an African-American man. And so, I think it's a really important message about our own democracy to people around the world.

QUIJANO: Mrs. Bush, thank you so much.

L. BUSH: Thanks a lot. Thanks a lot.

Comments

[Territc]

Well she couldn't very well tell us that Michelle said to her " Show me the place but I don't need any parenting advice from you. I have all that under control. Just make sure you leave the place clean!"

[Southrnbelle]

This is such an incredibly condescending, sexist thing for Laura Bush to say about regarding a woman who graduated from Harvard Law School.

Unbelievable!!!!

[DrToketee]

Probably so, but keep in mind that Laura Bush only happens by chance to be First Lady - in reality she's just a librarian who has taught some elementary school. Think about such low-credentialed people you know yourself - would they be able to handle such an public interview any better? I bet that every day Laura Bush realizes the huge mistake she made marrying George long ago and wishes she could be suddenly be re-incarnated back into her original life-style. Just imagine living as being married to the worst President in our nation's history - and having daily to defend him with a smile on her face. She has to be the loneliest person in the world.

[MsLiz]

I am appalled at both of you. Just because Michelle Obama graduated from Harvard Law doesn't mean she isn't interested in making a home for her family. No body else is going to do it. Women are no longer required to give up their maternal instincts upon admission to the bar. And "low-credentialed?" She has a Master's in Library Science.

Wipe your noses, both of you. You have the green elevens.

[geminieye]

That is a very rude way to sum up the accomplishments of a First Lady. I never voted for Bush, either, but I am respectful of anyone who puts in an honest days work, and if there are any souls out there giving their all for the good of children and our collective futures it's a lot of teachers and librarians. I know, because I have been both. And just what the heck do you do for a living that is so elevated? Are you "just" a physicist or "just" a doctor? Or maybe "just" a telephone operator? Where did you go for lunch today? Aren't you glad someone served it to you? They have a family and opinions, too. It takes all kinds, and people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Increase the peace! PS: Your grammar was bad on top of your general ungraciousness.

[sbat]

Low credentialed? I hope you mean low credentialed in reference to politics and public speaking, not just low credentialed. You need a Masters to be a librarian.

[Indie2008]

Again, this is beneath the dignity of Huffington Post. First ladies showing their successors the White House living quarters is an established tradition. I'm sure Mrs. Obama appreciated it as well. I doubt she wanted to hear Laura expound on the economic recession. Even Barack took a tour after his meeting with Bush in the Oval Office.

[tbirdalum]

I asure you, Laura, Michelle already knows what women are interested in. She also knows what men are interested in, speaking of her husband. I guarantee you she needs no pointers.


Yes, We Did, O

[tbone99]

Laura : "I showed her the room where I spend hours reading fiction every day so I can forgot what the man I married has done to our country and the world,"

[scottowego]

I'm wondering if all the closets were already empied and everything was packed away in boxes. I'm thinking Laura Bush just can't wait to get outa there and back to texas. I'm almost 100% positive her hubby is.

[JimMan35]

If I were moving into a new house with two young daughters, I would want to know about the closets, the bedrooms, the servants, the living rooms and all of that. I can understand what Laura meant and can see that it was more a home tour on the practical side, than a lesson in how to be First Lady. Each of the First Ladies have brought their own game to the table as far as their activities and emphases and I'm assuming that Laura (who herself is the daughter-in-law of a former First Lady) understands how they will all be their own person in that arena. The family quarters seemed to be her focus. There are other staff to talk about the State Chine and the mammoth holiday decor and the chefs in the kitchen and all that. This was about moving your family into a new home. Did I miss something?

[tbone99]

Did she show her the media room where they had the premiere of " Nights in Abhu Ghraib" as well as all the sequels, to the Bushco and friends, as popcorn and sodas were served.?

[wltdnfaded]

Laura Bush will probably be our last "traditional" First Lady. Laura Bush is a Southern politican's wife, that's her career. Her job is to attend functions with her husband, bear his kids, do charity work, fund raise, and smile for the camera. That was a political wife's duty for decades. Not anymore.

Hillary Clinton was certainly our first non-traditional, as she had significant say in Bill's decisions, and he often sought her counsel-- not to mention that Hillary was an accomplished attorney to begin with. Decades ago, Hillary would have been laughed out of the room if she said she was going to run for the Senate, not to mention President. But Hillary smashed that mold of the traditional first Lady, and she spoiled us. So now Laura Bush looks old-fashioned and quaint, even if she did nothing different than popular First Ladies of the past, including Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford, Ladybird Johnson, and Jackie Kennedy.

Laura Bush did her job, and did it well within the confines of her job description. Michelle will now expand--and improve-- on the new role of First Lady that Hillary laid out for her.

[Sammy00400]

Actually, Nancy and Ladybird were pretty strong behind the scenes with their husbands. It just wasnt as public back then because there was no 24/7/365 news or people constantly talking about such things to the masses.

[carrieanna]

I'm no expert on presidential mates but I'd say Eleanor Roosevelt would be the likely candidate for first publicly non-traditional First Lady. And Ladybird Johnson has been undervalued for sure, Sammyoo400.

But I also don't discredit any of the First Lady's significances due to them not having paid jobs. I recognize that women of money in previous ages didn't have the same kind of resumes as women today. But that doesn't mean they weren't educated or had no influence on their husbands. We only have the history that has been written for us....and is typically male-centric. When I think of the fictional Clytemnestra or the real Catherine II of Russia, I generally conclude that we have had powerful First Ladies behind the scenes throughout our nation's history. They just haven't had their stories told.

[wltdnfaded]

You got me, carrieanna. How could I possibly forget Eleanor Roosevelt?

[Indie2008]

You're right... More Southern stereotyping! The roles of First ladies vary with their personalities, not their geographic origin. Don't forget Rosalyn Carter, a Democrat and a Southern lady.

[TN60]

Wonder if Joe Biden got a tour of Cheney's bunker? Probably had skeletons in that closet !! Blood? Millions? Do they have to redecorate the CRYPT? :-)

[tbone99]

The giant generator that charges Cheneys batteries every night matches the drapes.

[hopefulnana]

Yes, and whenever there's a lightening storm he gets elevated to the roof for a jumpstart.

[hyjanks]

I'm wondering if, when they leave, the Bush's will take with them all of those skeletons hanging in those closets.

[Durango]

Somehow I don't see Michelle as taking quite the passive role Laura has.

I have an idea. Lets start planning NOW for 2016. Planning for our first female President.

Michelle Obama in 2016!

[bobbysgurl]

Why would Michelle need parenting advice from Laura Bush or Sarah Palin? Why is it that the media thinks that is all two women would talk about when they are alone?

[wideawakenow]

I don't want to rip on Laura Bush because she seems like a nice person and is probably the only thing that was ever good about the Bush Admin. But I do think it is silly that she thinks women are only interested in domestic stuff like closets, especially a brilliant woman like Michelle. Oh well, I'm sure she was just being herself.

[LemonMeringue]

She's a Bush, she worked for the Bush administration whenever asked, and she married and stayed married to George. I do not have a high opinion of her. She took the classes and learned how to perform a role and act gracious, but that role is not real. We don't know her.

She wasted her chance to do something good as First Lady, too. Her appearances were limited to reading scripts whenever his approval rating sank or people got restless about the war.

[tbone99]

Maybe it was her way of showing Michelle where to look for the evidence.

[MsLiz]

Have you ever househunted? Well this is similar, except you get the first house they show you. The purpose of the visit for Michelle Obama was to see the house she is moving into. Duh.

[DosaHut]

I wouldn't want my bed to be in the same room Geoerge and Laura, you know. EW

[Pupadup4oBama]

fumigate the mattresses. Although one has to wonder - do they share the same bedroom? You KNOW the Obamas will...:).

[hippynanainblingland]

Buy new mattresses. No way I'd want to sleep on the same mattress Bush has slept on, infused with his sweat. EEEEW!!!

[MsLiz]

The living quarters furniture will be sent to Texas. It is personal property.

[metivo]

Not to get too analytical here, but don't you think it a bit odd that the first thing Laura can think of is the closets? It does make you wonder if this shows she has many secrets to hold.

I think she's a very decent person but also very repressed. A bit of a dull, sad existence with no outward conflict. Also, the way that W's administration had so few parties and state dinners. Not a lot of fun.

[DosaHut]

Yes, it does seem laura Bush led a very dull existence. She has had no impact on anyone, didn't make a difference in anyone's life, had no voice of her own, and just kept getting eye surgeries to mke herself feel prettier.

[Empire551]

I am sure laura has an impact on her family and her husband has an impact on the world. to call her life dull is odd. to bring up cosmetic surgery is petty. you sound like you do not have any ability to have kind thoughts for a person you disagree with politically. you are more like our current vice president than our president elect. you need to let go of the hate.

[Pupadup4oBama]

I think you are correct on all counts.
I know a woman who reminds me a lot of Laura. Same kind of non descriptiveness - no real insight of her own - other than her husbands. Never had a career. I think they could actually have been best friends. Plus her husband is a staunch republican.

[MsLiz]

It's her job to keep a low profile. You know nothing of her true personality or life.

[repugnicansfearme]

Did she show her THE PRETZEL ROOM? Is it true that pretzels have been deemed enemy combatants and banned from the White House, possibly sent to Gitmo???