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Since the election, some say Laura Bush has emerged as more fashionable and more willing to open the White House for social events. She had limited the number of state dinners after 9/11. Now, with a new chef and many new staff members, she's gearing up for a strong social season.She has also outlined a new national project, "Helping America's Youth," which targets at-risk middle- and high-school boys. "We know that a lot of the students who have the most problems are the ones who can't read," she says. "They're the ones who drop out or they're the ones who are frustrated and act out in school. Often, they're boys. We've focused on girls for the last 30 years, and I think we've neglected boys. As a society, we believe that boys can take care of themselves, that boys don't cry, and that boys don't express emotion or shouldn't -- that it's not manly to do that. There are a larger number of boys who are in trouble, who go to jail, who are adjudicated. The choices they make really impact the rest of their lives."
The First Lady intends to highlight some of the already existing programs to communities throughout the country. One of them, in Dallas, pairs a troubled boy with an unadoptable dog who would otherwise be euthanized. "The boys are taught to train the dogs in a gentle and loving way, and they end up with unconditional love that they get from this animal. But also they end up saving the life of the animal."
In many ways, Laura Bush has been liberated. There are no more campaigns to face, no more debates, no more stump speeches after this term. She would never want to toss her own hat in the political arena. "I'm not really interested in running for anything. That's just not my personality. I have the wonderful opportunity of being able to do what elected officials do without actually having to run myself." Penny Royall says, "It's fair to say that Laura is a natural introvert. She's not shy. She prefers quiet company. Just a week or so ago, I was over on Saturday, we worked out, showered and dressed, had a latte. We were sitting in the living room. She was working, I was reading a book. We were quietly sitting, just being together. The President came in and said, 'Aren't you all going to talk to each other? You haven't said one word to each other.' We were just quietly enjoying being there together."
That's the difference between George and Laura Bush. He's the extrovert; she's private and reserved. He's a plain-speaking Texan who can rile people with fighting words. She's measured and thoughtful. He's a gladhander, a true politician. She avoids the spotlight. They fill in the blanks for one another. At the end of his term, they'll be empty nesters, living on their ranch in Crawford, watching football and baseball games, doing jigsaw puzzles, and wearing jeans and work shirts. But George W. Bush's crusade to democratize the world will likely continue. And Laura Bush will write a children's book about Barney, their dog, and do what she's been doing all of her adult life -- making sure that children read the books that will inspire their lives, just like she did.
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