Funny First Lady

John Tierney columnized in the New York Times a couple of days ago on Laura Bush's comedy routine at a recent event attended mostly by Democrats. I saw it courtesy of internet video, and she was hilarious. Her timing was perfect, as was her husband's reactions. The audience loved it, and so did the press, aside from a few pro-forma jabs about someone writing the routine for her (gee, do you think?) and about her not really watching Desperate Housewives.

Tierney went on to talk about how liberals so poorly understand red-staters, many of whom aren't really so red, and how well those in the red states understand the disdain directed at them from the citadels of liberalism. It's an interesting discussion. For example:

Mrs. Bush's performance, and her husband's reaction, wasn't a shock to the reporters who cover the White House. For years they have tried to convince their friends outside Washington that Mr. Bush is actually not a close-minded dolt, and Mrs. Bush is no Stepford Wife or Church Lady. Yes, they're Texans who go to church and preach family values, but they're not yahoos or religious zealots.

In addition to telling folks what they really stand for, Democrats need to stop insulting everyone else in the country if they want to win more elections. It shouldn't take a political genius to understand that heaping hate and insults on the President and his family doesn't win many converts. In fact, it alienates a lot of people because, contrary to what the bi-coastal liberal elites think, those who don't agree with them aren't stupid. They know they're being classified as close-minded dolts, too.