The Jenna and Barb Chat: Riiiiiiight
We were highly entertained by the online chat just held over at GeorgeWBush.com; it's not every day you get people involved in politics to give you off-the-cuff, unscripted answers to serious questions about where the country is headed. So today really wasn't that different from other days. Oh sure, the chat with Jenna and Barbara Bush was hilarious, but only because we expected them to start responding with, "Affirmative, Dave, I read you." Their responses were an insult to Stepford Wives, but then again, the questions were an insult to our intelligence:
Susan Kildow from Holly Springs NC wrote: As young women who embody the future of our nation, how important do you believe character to be when choosing a candidate and how does your dad stack up?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered: Well, Susan, to us character is the most vital part of being an excellent leader. While we may be a little biased because he is our dad, we think - well, we KNOW -- that our Dad is a man of strong and principled character. If he says he is going to do something, he will do it. When we were kids, if dad said he was going to come to one of our soccer games, he would be there! And now even his critics can't argue that he is a steadfast leader who means what he says and acts with resolve. At the same time, he always treats everyone he meets with dignity and respect.
It's not just that 22-year-olds don't talk like that, it's thatno onetalks like that. Jenna and Barb weren't answering these questions, these questions were being answered by Ken Mehlman and Karl Rove, who may have been dressed like Jenna and Barb.
Some might point to this response as proof that the questions were answered by someone who associates the "Whiskey Rebellion" with "attending the University of Texas": "Our favorite musicians range from reggae artists, like Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley, to classic rock stars like Paul Simon and Van Morrison. We also love newer musicians like Modest Mouse, The Strokes and Postal Service." But we're pretty sure we saw Karl Rove buying a Hives album at the CD Cellar in Clarendon last week. . . In any case, as one Wonkette operative put it (borrowing liberally, ahem, from Bananas): "This chat is a travesty. It's a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham."
Speaking Out for Dad [GeorgeWBush.com]
Since you have to register to get the chat transcript from the above link, we've reprinted it below in chronological order. Oh, and not that you asked, but they didn't answer any of our questions. . .
Wesley Davis from Colt AR wrote:
In the movies and on television you always see the President's children complaining about always having the secret service around all the time. It seems as if it makes it very difficult to carry on a normal young person's life. Would you say that Hollywood paints an accurate portrait of what it is like to be the child of the President and do you have any funny stories on this matter?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hey, Wesley, thanks for writing us. We actually both think that Hollywood's portrayal of Presidential children is quite funny. All of our friends cracked up when they saw "Chasing Liberty" and actually knew how unrealistic it was. We have led normal college lives without constant supervision by chaperones and Secret Service--although they do follow us from a distance. Both of us traveled around Europe this summer with our girlfriends and had a blast. College was so much fun and we were able to live normal lives hanging out with great friends ...although we do enjoy seeing what Hollywood can come up with.
Susan Kildow from Holly Springs NC wrote:
As young women who embody the future of our nation, how important do you believe character to be when choosing a candidate and how does your dad stack up?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Well, Susan, to us character is the most vital part of being an excellent leader. While we may be a little biased because he is our dad, we think - well, we KNOW -- that our Dad is a man of strong and principled character. If he says he is going to do something, he will do it. When we were kids, if dad said he was going to come to one of our soccer games, he would be there! And now even his critics can't argue that he is a steadfast leader who means what he says and acts with resolve. At the same time, he always treats everyone he meets with dignity and respect
DJ Beauregard from Methuen MA wrote:
Hey Barbara and Jenna! I'm a supporter of your Dad, and I frequently help out at the New Hampshire state headquarters in Manchester. He is a great leader, and a great president. I was wondering why you two have all of a sudden decided to come out and support your Dad now. I completely support and applaud your decision to join him. Thanks a lot for your attention! -- DJ
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hi, DJ -- thanks for helping out at the state headquarters. It means so much to us to see people just as excited as we are to get our Dad reelected. We have both always supported our Dad in everything he has done, though we have not always done so publicly. We decided to work on this campaign mainly because we love our Dad so much. This is the first time that we have not been in school during a campaign, so we are now able to devote more of our time and our attention to his re-election. He has our full support and we are both doing everything we can to help him out
Edith Fuog from Miami FL wrote:
If you could only describe your father in one sentence, what would you say?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
One sentence...Edith, that is a hard one! Okay: Our dad has given us an amazing life full of love and support and he lives his life respecting every individual he meets. Plus, he always keeps us and our Mom laughing. Oops! That's two sentences...sorry
Jill Haltigan from New Carrollton MD wrote:
I remember reading during the 2000 election that one of you differed with your father on his stance reguarding the death penalty. How do you approach your dad when you hold a different opinion on a major policy issue?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hey, Jill. Like most kids, we do not agree with our parents on every single issue. Yet, this has never been a problem in our family. Our parents raised us to think for ourselves, encouraging us to make our own decisions and formulate our own opinions. They have always accepted all of our ideas and have never discouraged us from believing in things that they do not necessarily agree with. One opinion that we do share is that our father is the perfect person to be the President of the United States.
Oscar Lopez from San Antonio TX wrote:
Hi Barbara and Jenna! First, let me say that joining your Father in the campaign is AWESOME! Are you guys currently working on anything to encourage the younger voters to go out and vote for President Bush?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hey, Oscar - thanks for writing us. We love Texas and we're sure you do, too. Right now we are currently trying to encourage voters of all ages to vote for our Dad. We know he is the perfect person for the Presidency, and we're working hard for him. As young voters, we definitely understand the many important issues to people our age. We have spoken with many Students for Bush and Young Republicans and have encouraged them to talk with their friends and make sure they and their friends are registered to vote. Unfortunately, many kids our age think they do not have the time to participate in campaigns and are not focused on elections. We understand that young people are already very busy with schoolwork, friends, athletics, and hanging out, but it is so important that you and all of your friends are registered to vote and do vote. Participating in elections is one of the most important and easiest ways we can positively change our future.
Dee Meadows from Waycross GA wrote:
With your dad being the President what moment has made you the proudest?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hello, Dee. It is almost impossible for us to choose just one moment that has made us proud. There are so many times we are proud of our dad--we constantly meet people that have benefited from him as a person and as a President and we couldn't feel prouder. Yet, there is no doubt that after September 11, we couldn't have been prouder of our father. It was so moving for us to see our Dad, and the entire American people, handle such an unbelievable tragedy with such strength and courage. We knew that with our Dad as President, he would do everything he could to make sure that the American people were safe and that those that lost friends and family members would feel comforted.
Nick Reiter II, B.S. from Bensalem PA wrote:
Dear Barbara and Jenna, When is your birthday and who are your favorite singers? Keep up the great work in helping your dad!! Nick
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Nick, since we are twins, we obviously share the same birthday, November 25, 1981. We will be turning 23 in the fall. We both love, love, love music (we inherited it from our Mom -- she has a great old record collection). Our favorite musicians range from reggae artists, like Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley, to classic rock stars like Paul Simon and Van Morrison. We also love newer musicians like Modest Mouse, The Strokes and Postal Service.
Lino Nicole from Humble TX wrote:
What character trait - as a father - do you appreciate most about your Dad and how do you see that trait manifest itself in him as President?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hey there. It is really difficult to choose only one characteristic about our father because we think he has many incredible qualities. One thing that we love about him is his open-mindedness. When we were growing up, he always encouraged us to make our own decisions. He has always listened to our ideas and thoughts and treated our opinions with absolute respect and importance. As a President, our father has encountered tons of people with varying beliefs and there is no doubt that he treats each and every person with the utmost respect.
Wesley Roth from Rapid City SD wrote:
Is there anything you miss since your dad has been elected President?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hi, Wesley. It seems like people ask us this question all of the time. Honestly, we have not missed anything since our dad has been elected President. He is definitely an extremely busy man, but he still finds plenty of time to devote to us. Two months after September 11, when our father and our country were dealing with a huge national tragedy, he still found time to throw us a party for our 20th birthday. We invited 20 of our friends down to Camp David for the weekend, and although our Dad had a lot on his mind, he still spent plenty of time with us and our friends, making sure everyone felt welcome.
Andrea Toth from Canoga Park CA wrote:
What foreign leaders or diginitaries have you met?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Yes, Andrea, and that is definitely one of the best things about being the daughters of a President. We have both gotten to meet some extremely intelligent, interesting people. We both met former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, and felt extremely inspired and moved. He is a man who was imprisoned for fighting communism and was the first President of the Czech Republic. He also is an amazing author and playwright and he loves the Rolling Stones! We have also met Tony Blair of Great Britain and Vladimir Putin of Russia - in addition to being highly intelligent and amazing leaders, they both have a great sense of humor!
Michael Bryan from Tucson AZ wrote:
Why do you think so many young people decide not to vote?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Well, Michael that is a hard question. As recent college graduates we know too well that people our age are not voting. We don't think it's because they aren't interested or don't have valuable opinions, but it's just with all of the daily activities in college (school work, tests, parties, etc.) students are preoccupied and just think they don't have time for politics. Also, because most politicians are older, I think it's sometimes hard for college students to relate. But it is very important that people our age register and vote. By voting, we have the opportunity to express our opinions about the issues facing our country. It is really easy to register; you can even do it at www.GeorgeWBush.com -- so encourage all of your friends to register and make sure you vote on November 2!
Kari Krueger from College Station TX wrote:
Thanks so much for sharing your time with us. What an amazing experience this must be for each of you! What has been the most awe-inspiring experience you have had thus far during the campaign?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Hi, Kari, this is Barbara. The campaign trail has been so much fun -- we have had a blast hanging out with our Dad and meeting tons of people across the US. The entire experience has been awe-inspiring; especially since this is the first time we have had a chance to contribute most of our time. I went to my first rally with my Dad two weeks ago in Michigan and was completely floored by the event. I had never witnessed so many people so excited to get my Dad reelected. As I sat on stage waiting for my Dad to deliver his remarks, I was so overcome by the unbelievable excitement in the room, watching so many people yell and chant for my father, I could not help but get tears in my eyes. It was amazing to meet so many people that respect and love my dad almost as much as I do!
craig mordock from new orleans LA wrote:
Jenna, did you like Spain? Do you plan to visit any other foreign countries in the near future?
Barbara and Jenna Bush answered:
Craig, this is Jenna. I will answer this one and am so glad you asked because I love Spain and could probably talk about it for hours. I lived and did a study abroad program in Cádiz, Spain (a beautiful beach town in Andalucia) when I was sixteen and fell in love with the Spanish culture. I love the relaxed atmosphere and attitude that everyone has; I love the amazing tapas and beautiful flamenco music. Okay, I am feeling very nostalgic for Spain. Barbara and I both love to travel and we are so lucky to have had the opportunity to see so many places, both in the United States and abroad. We are going in a couple weeks with the American delegation to the Olympics in Greece and are so excited. But, that will be our last trip overseas for a while, because we will be working for our dad until November!
Barbara and Jenna Bush
Daughters of President and Mrs. Bush wrote:
Well, looks like our time is up! We really appreciate everyone joining us online today! Don't forget to vote for our Dad in November!