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

[jackmayoff]

I wonder what cleanser she recommended to remove all traces of W.

[AmyOMerkley]

lol....

[NoSillyName]

I think the WH may need Spalin's Muthee to remove all the demons so it'll be clean for the Obamas.

[BannedInBoston]

What a ditzy comment on the part of Laura Bush. And how about those drapes!

[JulieSA]

Why is that ditzy?

[BannedInBoston]

Because it implies that all women are interested in are closets and, well, drapes. Have another cup of tea, dear?

[Carsy]

Actually when I look at homes I am interested in the closet space as well.

[damnadamson]

L. BUSH: Not really. I think I showed her the closets, I showed her all the things that women are interested in.

talk about avoiding tough questions. honest yes, but also somehow sad don't ya think.

[twokidsonecat]

Seriously, you don't know?

[professormoriarty]

This woman is a lot more interested in getting out of Iraq, getting out of a major economic depression, and getting this country on track to be a safe profitable place for my grandchildren to live.

I am not ashamed to be a woman, nor do I think keeping the homefires buring is insignificant. I just think when one is on the Titanic, the closets don't matter any more.

[speckitis]

EXACTLY!

[BannedInBoston]

Unless you're coming out of one....

[ForObamaInDallas]

LOL! And President Bush showed President Elect Obama all the things he would be interested in. ;-)

[BannedInBoston]

Autographed baseballs, a copy of "Bedtime for Bonzo" signed by Ronald Reagan....

[ButSeriouslyNow]

I'm not a fan of Pres. Bush but I like Laura, the only shining light in the 8 years under her husband's administration, bless her heart.

[yathink]

You LIKE repressed, silent, obedient women? There is a town called Stepford that is just right for you. This isn't about balls, it's about brains, and the good wife is lacking.

[propitiousmoment]

What is she supposed to do, foment rebellion in the White House?

Apparently the country is not ready for Michelle's true nature, either, because she had to tone it down considerably, to the point of not even wearing business suits for campaigning, bc all the wingnuts were calling her an "angry black woman." Laura would not have fared any better had she tried to assert herself publicly. I'm sure she probably has ulcers by now. But look at what everyone did to Hillary for being a strong, involved First Lady. She endured it bc she wanted to put her talents to use in the public arena after it was all over, and we do owe her for those 18 million cracks.

Michelle made a conscious sacrifice to help her husband win this election. She will no doubt come out of it a little once they are installed, possibly after re-election, or maybe she does not have the same aspirations Hillary had. I'm sure she will resume her career when they are private citizens again. And one day maybe the country will be ready for a strong female as leader of the free world.

We have made one gigantic historic step, thanks in large part to Michelle's willingness to efface herself for the cause. That doesn't mean there are not still some gigantic steps to be taken before we can claim to have reached true equality.

[NoSillyName]

A codependent enabler if ever there was one.

[camanokat]

I'm discouraged by some of the comments regarding Laura Bush. I feel sorry for her. She seems to be a kind, gracious woman who simply had the bad luck or bad taste to marry George.

It's awesome that we are getting a strong, capable woman like Michelle in the white house, but please stop the Laura bashing. Can you imagine being in her shoes for even one day? I'd be guzzling Jack Daniels straight from the bottle, I'm sure!

As for closets, well, I need to look at them too, especially the pantry..gotta be big for all my kitchen gadgets. Love to cook....

[noen]

No, she's not a kind, gracious woman. She's an inbred twit who looks more like she belongs on the set of Deliverance playing the banjo.

[wijg]

Wow! Why don't you tell us how you really feel.

[JulieSA]

Rich irony, coming from one who proudly shows off its ignorance.

[BannedInBoston]

Never, ever feel sorry for the rich and powerful, no matter how "charming" they may seem. I guarantee you they will not return the favor.

[yathink]

Never have, never will. They are all alike--believing they are better than everybody and certainly better than Michelle and Barack. Don't be deceived.

[callings]

I agree. Laura is not responsible for her husband's manifold sins, or those of his malignant administration. She seems good hearted, and it's amazing, really, that she's tolerated the jerk for all these years. She's not Caribou "it's all about me" Palin, who is Bush with different plumbing, and even less brains.

[tsand19151]

Agreed...And don't forget that Laura came to Michelle's defense when her "proud of America" comment was taken out of context by the far right. She showed class when she spoke up. I actually always liked Laura.....it's her husband I have problems with.

[RuthlessDictator]

McCain should have chosen Laura Bush as his running mate. She's way smarter than "Moose for Brains"!

[psychmaj323]

I like Laura and I like George, I think they are nice people, but I just don't think Bush knew what he was doing.

[speckitis]

Come on, believe behavior...... Nice people don't unilaterally invade a country on a mountain of lies........

[BannedInBoston]

"Say goodnight, Laura."

"Goodnight, Laura."

(With apologies to George Burns and Gracie Allen....)

[VOTER]

Best line so far and the most UNBELIVEABLE!

[LemonMeringue]

How can people criticize Laura over something like this? The visit was a formality, a gesture. She did exactly what she was supposed to do.

[wijg]

I agree, seems like some of these comments are waaaay over the top. We're talking about Laura here, not George.

[BannedInBoston]

She married George and stayed married to him....

[firewmn]

** Both Classy First Ladies ..!

[myna]

I don't think Laura enjoys the spotlight. In addition to the positive things pointed out her by others, she has been a defender of Burma and has openly and assertively decrying the military junta. She gives a much better speech than her husband.

[Mikeeee]

Wish she would openly and assertively decry the military junta her husband is running in Iraq.

[snarkopolitan]

When everyone, *some* Democrats and all Republicans, was jumping on Michelle over her "first time in my adult life" comment, Laura defended her, saying it's too easy to misconstrue comments, but she was sure Michelle was already proud of her country.

That was class. If some of her views are dated, at least they're not mean. If only her husband had been worthy of her.

[postedby]

So, are the women here ashamed to be women?

[LemonMeringue]

WTF does that mean?

[blueberryhill]

Just because you are a smart woman doesn't mean you don't want to know where things go in a new house. Come on, I am sure Michelle is not always thinking books for Gods sake. There is time and place for everything and being a woman, is a multi-tasking job anyway.

[bushgirlsgone]

.

Whaaaaat?
.

[kesiac]

Not me!!!! I said before I looooove a nice closet.

[crayola 08]

"I Showed Her The Closets, I Showed Her All The Things That Women Are Interested In"

LOL. omg, the thoughts that ran through my mind when i read that i just can't put into words or it'll get deleted by the moderators. what a hoot! :)

[JulieSA]

Are you really that superficial that you judge a person on a stupid headline?

[JulieSA]

Did you read the whole article? Apparently not.

Please don't comment before reading.

A common theme on HuffPo is what a great mother Michelle is to her adorable girls, and I admire that trait. Do you really think a mom like Michelle wouldn't be interested in seeing where her kids are gong to sleep and keep their stuff?

A crappy mom would send the servants to figure that stuff out. I think better of her. Michelle is more hands on.

[lauram]

But a dad is not interested in where his kids will sleep? I guess he just thinks they can be comfortable on the floor or in the yard, huh?

[blueberryhill]

Laura Bush is not a politician. She has nothing to gain by being double face. I think she was kind to Michelle. Even smart women like Michelle like to know where things go.

[lmvd3]

I'm sure Michelle could have found the closets on her own.

[DosaHut]

Hey Laura: Michelle is not interested in the closet that holds your ugly suits. She's an intellect. Show her the library, and where she can use the computer. Michelle Obama isn't going to be the frumpy, invisible First Lady that you were. She's smart, and isn't afraid to show it!

I mean, WYF? The things women are interested in? Women of the 1920s perhaps.

[LolaP]

re.lax.

[JulieSA]

Did you read the whole article? Apparently not.

Please don't comment before reading.

A common theme on HuffPo is what a great mother Michelle is to her adorable girls, and I admire that trait. Do you really think a mom like Michelle wouldn't be interested in seeing where her kids are gong to sleep and keep their stuff?

A crappy mom would send the servants to figure that stuff out. I think better of her. Michelle is more hands on.

[camanokat]

Hey, before I've ever moved to a different house, I'd always want to know where everything would go once the boxes arrived. That includes closets and the bookshelves and the computer room. Everything. Especially for the kids.

I moved into my new house 5 years ago and it took me 3 years to design the house I wanted, for ALL our activities. That doesn't make me a dummy...my family life is just as important as anything else in my life.

[ipaintgolf]

hey smarta$% I think you can use the computer anywhere in the place and she has intellect she isnt one.And I guess you could really go in your head thinking did Abe go in the kids room just to get away from it all.The whole place is full of ghosts dont you think?

[SinisterK9]

Way to show your ignorance. Laura Bush is famous for her love of books. She has a Bachelors in education, and a Masters in Library Science. She has been both a teacher and a Librarian, and she established the National Book Festival, which helps promote literacy and education.
Lastly, she has been polled as one of the most popular first ladies.

Regardless of your hatred for her husband, it doesn't mean you need to lower yourself into demeaning her just for fun.

How about you go find a library and read a book or two.

[lmvd3]

And she could have done SO much more. How very disappointing.