Former first lady Laura Bush said she’d like to see a woman in the White House but that her loyalties for 2016 lie with her brother-in-law.
“But I do look forward to the day that we have a woman in the White House,” she said on CNN’s “New Day.” “I’m very interested in the role of the ’first gentleman.’ “
She said she has “no earthly idea” when former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush might announce a decision on a presidential run. Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is the presumptive frontrunner on the Democratic side and would be the first female president if elected.
“Obviously, we’re huge Jeb supporters,” Mrs. Bush said. “He’s our brother and we love him, and I think he’d be terrific. It’s interesting to watch — we’re watching only from the sidelines, but fun and interesting to see.”
Asked if former President George W. Bush had given his brother any advice about the process, she said, “not really — no.”
“I mean, Jeb didn’t come to him and ask him for it. Believe me, when both your father and your brother have been president, you’ve watched from the sidelines for sure. So he knows a lot,” she said, adding that he’s been a “great” governor of Florida.
She said she did give Mr. Bush’s wife, Columba, some advice.
“I told her she ought to get a really good speech and give it — she can give a speech in English and Spanish,” the former first lady said. “I think that’s a huge advantage for her. I think it can be a huge asset for the Republican party to branch out to Hispanics in our country, and she’ll be great. She’s shy, but I think she’ll be a really wonderful asset to Jeb.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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