Bush's mother, wife campaign for crucial vote


10/19/2000
By Christy Hoppe
The Dallas Morning News

LANSING, Mich. – The first ladies in the life of George W. Bush began pitching for female voters in crucial states on Wednesday, kicking off a "W. Stands for Women" tour in the presidential campaign's last 20 days.

In recent polls, the Republican candidate has trailed Democratic rival Al Gore in an important W: winning female voters. The polls show a gender gap, with Mr. Gore drawing anywhere from 8 percent to 12 percent more support than Mr. Bush among women. And female voters – who traditionally turn out in greater numbers than men – are key.

Aiming to capture their votes, Barbara and Laura Bush trekked through the GOP stronghold of western Michigan, attracting hundreds of other mothers and wives as they talked about education and other issues high on women's lists.

Democrats have said that Mr. Gore will do a better job addressing these issues, which Mr. Gore says are important to working families.

Beginning their pitch in Grand Rapids, the governor's 75-year-old mother, Barbara Bush, told a gathering of mostly women at the Van Andel Museum Center exactly whom this election would depend upon.

"We are, no doubt about it, the most powerful political group in this country," the former first lady said.

She spoke about her son in a folksy style, saying that he knows about "kitchen table issues" and that he has surrounded himself with strong women. Sometimes, through the happenstance of birth, he had no choice, she remarked.

Raising his "two wonderful, strong-willed teenage daughters" has given him an edge on foreign policy, she said. "Thanks to them, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind he will be able to negotiate with any country in the world, regardless of how difficult, complicated or stubborn the opposition is."

His wife, Laura Bush, agreed that the governor's family has shaped him, stressing that it is a daunting clan. In the Bush family, "even the dog is a best-selling author," she said.

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