Heinz Kerry Apologizes to First Lady

Heinz Kerry Apologizes to First Lady
Wednesday, October 20, 2004

WASHINGTON - Teresa Heinz Kerry apologized quickly on Wednesday after suggesting that she would be different from first lady Laura Bush because the two women had different experiences, and saying she didn't know if Mrs. Bush has ever had "a real job."

Laura Bush taught in public schools in Texas from 1968 to 1973, then got her library sciences master's degree and worked as a school librarian until 1977, the year she married George W. Bush.

In an interview published Wednesday in USA Today, the newspaper asked the wife of Democratic candidate John Kerry if she would be different from Laura Bush as a first lady.

"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," Heinz Kerry said. "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."

Campaigning for her husband in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Heinz Kerry said she forgot Mrs. Bush had a career.

"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, 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," she said in a statement.

In the newspaper interview, Heinz Kerry said she sees her age as a benefit - she is 66. Laura Bush turns 58 two days after Election Day. "I'm older, and my validation of what I do 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," she said.

Prior to Heinz Kerry's apology, Karen Hughes, an adviser to President Bush, criticized Heinz Kerry's remarks as "indicative of an unfortunate mindset that seeks to divide women based on who works at home and who works outside the home."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

ah, caustic, acerbic-tongued, ill-informed Teresa. what a gal, huh?

Karen Hughes is spot-on regarding the "unfortunate mindset".

and, like her husband, John, Teresa just doesn't know the facts too well, does she?

*grin*

this, coupled with the Kerry and Edwards' remarks about Mary Cheney... they've got lots of apologizing to do.

and more...

the words of Teresa Heinz Kerry reveal what is truly in her heart. her first inclination, her off-the-cuff remarks, were to defame Mrs Bush. belittle her. portray her as "something less", because Mrs Bush is less in the eyes of the snobbish and elitist Terr-ay-za. she, like her husband, John, merely tolerate the "lower classes", neither of them having earned the snobbishness they possess by using their backs. well, maybe Teresa, but, this isn't that kind of blog. *grin*

the apology offered isn't worth a hill of beans. scripted by one of the Kerry staffers, obviously. Teresa is sorely lacking the grace and poise contained within the apology. absolutely incapable of stringing those words together.

this Kerry couple, i remember, sat on the extreme sides of the setee when doing an interview with Dr Phil. lots of space between them. contrast this to the Bush couple, hip-to-hip, holding hands, laughing and smiling with one another.

the final question of the third debate, the issue of the "strong women" in the candidates lives. The President said the word "love" numerous times and spoke tenderly of his wife, daughters, and mother. Kerry never uttered the word "love" and his lack of tenderness was clearly evident on Teresa's face when the camera panned out.

they're snobs and live in a completely different world. they don't understand the "common man" or the trials and tribulations on the common man's walk through life.

Kerry's "secret plans" seem to demonstrate his lack of understanding, too. his lack of compassion. he's a good salesman, most trial lawyers are.