Laura Bush supports Obama's school speech

The former first lady, who was once a schoolteacher, said it was appropriate for Obama to 'encourage schoolchildren.'

September 08, 2009|Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Former First Lady Laura Bush on Monday expressed support for President Obama's decision to speak to the nation's schoolchildren, saying it was "really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States."

In an interview with CNN, Bush, a former schoolteacher, said: "There's a place for the president of the United States to . . . encourage schoolchildren" to stay in school. Parents and others, she said, need to send that message as well.

Bush also praised Obama's performance, saying that "he's tackled a lot to start with, and that's made it difficult." She said her husband had refused to criticize Obama because he believed the new president "deserves the respect and no second-guessing on the part of a former president."

The former first lady was interviewed in Paris, where she was helping promote global literacy as part of a United Nations meeting.

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Laura Bush supports Obama's school speech

The former first lady, who was once a schoolteacher, said it was appropriate for Obama to 'encourage schoolchildren.'

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