Stand By Your Man

OK, so there's being a "loyal wife" and there's being delusional. You decide.

From a Time magazine interview with First Lady Laura Bush:

TIME
Critics throw out so many charges against the President. Is there any one that you found the most unfair?

BUSH
I think they're all very unfair. [Laughter.] I really do.

TIME
Do you think these swift-boat ads are unfair to John Kerry?

BUSH
Do I think they're unfair? Not really. There have been millions of terrible ads against my husband.

Uh, Mrs. Bush, do you really think that all criticism of your husband is unfair? Really? I mean, he has said he couldn't think of a single mistake he's made as President, so maybe, around your household, there aren't any. But really, unfair? You think so? All of the criticisms are "very unfair?" You mean, unfair, as in, it wasn't maybe even just a little bit his fault?

And you really think that it's OK to tell slanderous lies about a decorated Naval veteran, just because there are some (can we agree millions might be exaggeration?) ads against your husband? Wow.

So let me get this straight. In your world, if anyone says anything critical of your husband, even, like, y'know, documented facts, even like, in an electoral campaign (where the American People need to know, so that they can make their sovereign choice about whom to vote for), then it's completely fair to lie about them, dishonor them, and mock their service to the country, and the wounds they took fighting in its name.

There you have it, folks, Laura Bush, a traditional First Lady, exemplifying the finest American values. Doesn't she deserve another four years in the White House?

(But wait! Don't answer yet!)

TIME
When you've had those private meetings with the families who have lost loved ones in the fighting, does that take its toll on the President?

BUSH
No....

That'd be the Compassionate Conservative she's talking about. What a guy!