May 4, 2010
Right now I'm watching Laura Bush on Oprah. When Oprah has an interview, she has her chair and the guest's chair positioned at three quarter angles, so they can speak face to face. But Laura Bush did a rather disconcerting thing. Oprah would ask a question, and Ms. Bush instead of looking at Oprah as she answered, would turn to face the audience and speak to them.

Maybe she was remembering Oprah supported Obama, who trash talked her husband in his campaign, and was seeking approbation from the audience. Anyway, Oprah started off by asking about Ms. Bush's childhood and about the car crash when she was 17. Then Ms. Bush spoke about George stopping drinking cold turkey when he was 40. (What about those many photos when he was prez, showing him with cocktail in hand?)

Then halfway into the show, book talk was over. The daughters came out and lots of time was spent with them, and the daughter's glowing comments about their parents. They said Laura was a very private person and you can tell she plays it close to the vest. I was hoping Oprah would ask about Condoleeza Rice and Cheney and some of the other characters in her husband's life--and hers--but she will never open up about anything deep.

Right now Laura is showing off the Crawford ranch house and the grounds. No more talk of the book. I get the idea Laura is trying to soften up the public for George's upcoming book, because her own book seems superficial and she didn't tell much. It was like getting two bites of an appetizer, then left wanting and hungry for the entree.

susil