Bush twins give Obama girls advice
Published: January 21, 2009
WASHINGTON — Just in time for move-in day, the Bush twins offered their best advice Tuesday to Sasha and Malia Obama on living in a “magical place” called the White House.
In an open letter to the Obama kids, 27-year-olds Barbara Bush and Jenna Hager advised the girls to relish it all — to “go to anything and everything you possibly can.”
“Just go,” they wrote in a letter published in the Wall Street Journal.
“Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!”
The twins reminisced about their favorite memories of the White House, and gave plenty of specific advice, too, to 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia:
—Surround yourselves with loyal friends.
—Trick-or-treat down the plane aisle if you’re traveling on Halloween.
—Cherish your pets “because sometimes you’ll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.”
—And this: “Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.”
The twins turned serious at the end, recalling how the public image of their own father got distorted over the years.
“He is our father, not the sketch in the paper or part of a skit on TV,” they wrote.
As for the Obama girls’ dad, they added, “Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is.”
Reader Reactions
Well gee, thanks. You mean Im allowed an opinion too? Because I thought my opinion had “missed the point” that “none of those things have anything to do with how the Bushes behaved during the transition” and I shouldn’t “be so harsh on them.“ Funny how I didn’t ask your opinion but you felt fine in correcting mine.
“disconcerting” doesn’t cut it either.
Nice try with the name. Actually, think what you want. I made a positive statement regarding my opinion of a family I rarely compliment. You want to trash them. Go for it. You are entitled to your opinion.
Your right about “Discerning”, I meant disconcerting. Good thing I’m not a celebrity putting out public statement for others to pick apart. Like the spelling of Chelsey for example. Some people have the class when correcting others some don’t. Also Amy’s political life began years later like Chelsea who stumped 8 years after. It’s not even wrong that they want to be in politics but having a personal letter published in a national newspaper is politics no matter how many cute puppies are involved.
People who live in fish bowls very often make public statements. They are celebrities. Tell you what, you aren’t going to convince me that they did anything wrong.
Actually, Amy Carter was very verbal against nuclear proliferation and used her position to influence others. Chelsea was more private which was evident when she stumped for her mother.
p.s. ‘Discerning’ is not a verb.
You are free to think they are opportunistic. I am free to think they were gracious.
You’re avoiding the point. Most private folks don’t address their personal wishes to others in public newspapers. The audience is of the message is clear; the intent is obvious, to address the public. How many personal letters have Chelsea and Amy published? Not trying to wave any shirts just calling a spade a spade. Apparently you’re having difficulty discerning.
You miss the point that the Bushes are returning to private life so no one cares how it playes with the voters. They chose to do it publically, probably expecting everyone to like reading it also, except for a grouch or 2.
It is probably tough living in the white house like the Bush girls, Chelsey, Amy Carter did. In all cases, the parents shielded their children as much as they could. However, every date included a secret service person. Seems a little intrusive to me.
nymby, sounds like you just want to continue to wave the bloody shirt. I know you do not know their intent.
Yes politics is part public theater and the office of the president is the main stage. They did give up there a part of their childhood and proably were not consulted in the choice. But there is no need to get all mushy because the girls used their political position as presidental daughters defend their fathers politics. Again if they truely ment well and did not want to make it political they would have just just mailed the letter rather than publish it in a newspaper. But puppies, trick or treating, and childhood fantacy plays well with the voters.
I am not that cynical yet. I am just happy I can say something nice about the Bush family. I sure didn’t say much nice when he was in office.
The office of the presidency is public theater. Don’t be so harsh on them. They gave up a great deal of their childhood to be presidential children and I doubt if anyone asked their permission.
Even classier would have been sending the girls the letter personally rather than offering up as a political platform. If I had a letter addressed from me to you why would I publish it in a newspaper? Because I don’t care if you read it I want everyone else to listen to me. Political theater at its best and your eating it up because it talks of puppies adn childhood.
None of those things have anything to do with how the Bushes behaved during the transition.
I never voted for George Bush but I can compliment his daughters for being kind and considerate. How many kids have never had a fake ID.
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