Hi, Kids. It's your old pal, B_E_B. I'd like to address these comments to the "Laura Apologists" out there...YOU know who you are. You know how you like to say things like "Bush is fair game, but the wife and kids are OFF LIMITS?" Well, Laura is campaigning for the GOP with "gusto." Don't take MY word for it...read the article. Not just campaigning, but campaigning with gusto. So you know what? She's moved from "OFF LIMITS" status to "fair game." Have a SUPER day!



Mrs. Bush Loses Her Reluctance to Campaign

By JENNIFER LOVEN
Associated Press Writer

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LAU...



WASHINGTON (AP) -- Laura Bush, a reserved former librarian who only reluctantly warmed to politicking, said often and somewhat nostalgically in 2004 that her husband's re-election bid was the couple's last campaign. So much for that idea. The first lady is back on the hustings with gusto, deploying her sky-high popularity, practiced smile and firm defense of President Bush's agenda for Republicans nationwide. GOP strategists say sending Mrs. Bush out to help candidates running in the midterm elections is a no-brainer.

Her poll ratings swamp the president's and those of other high-profile Republicans, with three-fourths of the public holding a favorable view of her. That's down a bit from her 80 percent approval ratings over a year ago, but well above the barely more than a third who like the job her husband is doing.

Squeezed between foreign trips focused on expanding opportunities for women and more traditional first lady duties, Mrs. Bush has notched 10 political appearances so far - all fundraisers. They began with a Republican National Committee event in Los Angeles last April and continued with stops for GOP Rep. Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania and several gubernatorial candidates later in 2005.

She's stepped it up lately, raising money in recent weeks for Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C., Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., and Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo. Later this month, Mrs. Bush is due in Connecticut to help GOP Reps. Christopher Shays and Nancy Johnson. And aides promise more, to the tune of a few events each month until November.