Barack Obama: The New Parenting Guide/Role Model For Kids

Disgusting infatuation article from The Washington Post. Seriously, get over it! (Via Michelle Malkin)

Sherry Jones was driving her 13-year-old son, Malcolm, to school the other morning when he mentioned something about some kid he didn’t like.

Something about the kid being a jerk.

Jones told him that wasn’t kind. When you speak of people, she said, always speak good of them.

“Look at Barack! . . . During the campaign, no matter what, Obama always took the high road,” she told him. “During the debates when John McCain would say a dig, Barack would never react. . . . He was always positive.”

Malcolm, who likes a good debate, was, for that moment, quiet.

In that silence, Jones realized that something about her spontaneous, trapped-in-the-car lecture was working. “If my son didn’t agree, he would let me know,” says Jones, an accountant who lives in Silver Spring. “He always has something else to say. . . . Usually, he will say, ‘Yeah, but . . . ‘ When I use Barack Obama as an example, I can see him. He’s quiet. He may sit up a little straighter.

Be Like Barack! What about lying about the "bad kids" he is hanging around? Will he use the Obama defense? I didn't know Reverend Wright was saying those things, I thought Bill Ayers was reformed, no idea about Tony Rezko, no idea about Blago...

Obama has become that nice man up the street you want your kid to grow up to be like.

Is this like the Arrested Development song "Mr. Wendell"?

"Yes," says Amber, 14, an eighth-grade student, "because Obama can do it. I see myself studying harder. I stay more focused. I take more notes. I am asking a lot more questions."

Obama discipline is complicated. Kids relate to him in a way that they say they have not related to other politicians. He might be the president-elect, but he's cool, he's young, he speaks a language they understand.

That's right, he's cool, he's young, he's hip. The Cool-in-Chief.

"He's different than other presidents," Malcolm Jones says. "He has kids who are young. And he was endorsed by a lot of icons."

Well, if he was endorsed by Oprah and Sean Penn...I stand corrected.

Harlan Jones, director of the New Sewell Music Conservatory in Northwest Washington (and no relation to Malcolm), is sitting in his office talking about Obama with his 12-year-old daughter, Nia, a sixth-grader whose grades have slipped from her usual straight A's.

"You have to get back on page, just like he did," he tells Nia. "We know you are better because you exemplified that through past studies. Suppose he had gotten down? With that in mind, Nia, please straighten up. Look at his strategy. He surrounded himself with people who were hardworking. . . . Who are your supporters?"

"My parents," Nia says, submitting to the lecture.

"I'm glad you said that. . . . You have a support system to do what?"

And Nia, tidy in her blue-and khaki school uniform, obediently answers, "Succeed."

Hope and Change! Is that what the next four years are going to be like? Will the media at least pretend not to be in love with the ObamaCon?

Will The Messiah Endanger The Holy Land? Why Barack Can't Take a Stand on Israel/Hamas Conflict

Ralph Peters column from New York Post...frightening scenario considering the events unfolding today in the Middle East.

Obama's an unknown quantity, though. While hysterical claims that he'll be pro-Islamist from start to finish are absurd, even minor shifts away from supporting Israel's struggle against terrorists could have catastrophic consequences. And Israel's vaunted intelligence services can't tell their superiors what Obama will do, since few (if any) of the president-elect's supporters know what he intends to do.

In fact, the president-elect may not know himself. He's a babe in the woods, and the woods are full of wolves. Fighting political rivals doesn't prepare you for fighting terrorist fanatics.

For now, Israel must worry that a major ground offensive against Hamas would be halted halfway by the withdrawal of US support, both diplomatic and practical. The IDF even counts on us to replenish reserve stocks of the guided weapons that minimize civilian casual ties or penetrate tunnels and bunkers. Israel could find that it had paid a grim price in the blood of its sons and daughters, only to be robbed of the chance to hand Hamas a meaningful defeat.

As for our president-elect, his all-too-coy insistence that "we have only one president at a time" has been selective from the start. Glad to pontificate on stimulus packages and union benefits, Obama has used the one-president mantra to avoid taking stands on difficult issues that bedevil or bewilder him. Our president-elect needed to make a clear, prompt statement in support of Israel. He didn't. If I were an Israeli leader, I'd be worried, too.

Obama's notorious for avoiding firm stands that might alienate any important constituency. But you can't have it both ways in the Middle East. He needs to stand up in support of Israel. Now.

Israeli soldiers should not have to go into battle worrying about an American bullet in the back.

The point about Obama not taking a stance is indeed scary. Clearly, his "one president at a time" argument is getting old. We can't wait until January 20th, not to say goodbye to George Bush, but to see what ObamaChrist and Hillary will do with foreign policy and protecting the world from terror.

Our prediction? He is in over his head and our country will regret their decision to make him our next President.

We hope we are wrong.

Harry Reid Also Discussed Obama Seat With Blago. Does Sen. Reid Have A Conflict of Interest in Blocking Burris?

The Chicago Sun Times reported on Friday:

Days before Gov. Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, top Senate Democrat Harry Reid made it clear who he didn’t want in the post: Jesse Jackson, Jr., Danny Davis or Emil Jones.

Rather, Reid called Blagojevich to argue he appoint either state Veterans Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Sources say the Senate majority leader pushed against Jackson and Davis — both democratic congressmen from Illinois — and against Jones — the Illinois Senate president who is the political godfather of President-elect Barack Obama — because he did not believe the three men were electable. He feared losing the seat to a Republican in a future election.

Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero confirmed that Reid (D-Nev.) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) — the new chief of the Senate Democratic political operation — each called Blagojevich’s campaign office separately Dec. 3. Sources believe that at least portions of the phone conversations are on tape.

Guerrero added today that Team Blago views Reid's protest against Burris is indeed politically motivated.

Illinois' embattled governor complained through his spokesman Saturday that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is guilty of a conflict of interest in that Reid telephoned him in early December to discuss the seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Lucio Guerrero, spokesman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said he didn't know firsthand which candidates the Nevada Democrat supported during the call, but said he knows Reid's candidates did not include Roland Burris, the man the governor recently picked for Obama's seat.

Senate leaders have vowed to oppose the appointment of Burris.

"I think the governor believes there is a conflict of interest — that Reid showed he has a horse in the race and Roland Burris wasn't one of them," Guerrero said.

The AP Article also mentions that Timothy Wright, the lawyer for Burris wrote a letter to select Senators asking they provide the people of Illinois with representation provided by the constitution.

"What is clear to me is that every candidate that was African-American was denied and every other candidate was acceptable," said Wright, adding, "I'm not going to read too much into that."

Wright also echoed Blagojevich's claim of a conflict of interest, saying that Reid's call to the governor showed he had a political stake in who took Obama's seat.

Reid fired back late Saturday afternoon with this statement.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today in response to reports that Gov. Blagojevich has been leaking and distorting conversations about the process for filling Illinois' vacant Senate seat:

"Gov. Blagojevich appears to be trying to distract attention from his daunting legal problems and damaged credibility by distorting information about private phone calls between himself and other public officials. It is regrettable and reprehensible.

"Gov. Blagojevich's efforts to try to tarnish others while the cloud of suspicion continues to grow over him are shameful, as are his efforts to further betray the public trust and sow seeds of division. As each day passes it becomes increasingly clear that Gov. Blagojevich is not fit to lead, and he should resign.

"I will not allow his corruption charges or his antics to distract me from leading the Senate, to drive a wedge in our party or to obscure the facts."

Reid is not only dragging himself deeper into dangerous water, he is legitimizing Blago's irrationality and making himself and others appear to be not only racist, but just as politically corrupt as Blago himself.

The soap opera continues...

TownHall's Top Ten Political Stories to Watch for in 2009: A Must Read

Great stuff from Rachel Marsden at TownHall.com.

War of Words, Politics Rages Over Al Franken

The Senate is really becoming a mess. Democrats are refusing to seat Roland Burris, the battle over Sweet Caroline rages on in The Empire State, and now GOP leaders are planning to filibuster seating Al Franken should he attempt to enter the Senate next week

According to Newsmax:

Republicans will filibuster any attempt to seat Minnesota Democrat Al Franken when Congress convenes next week, Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn warned his Democratic colleagues Friday.

It was the latest salvo in the war of words touched off this week when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., suggested Franken was drawing near to clinching a victory — despite the fact that as many as 2,000 votes are uncounted and numerous legal challenges loom.

"At this stage, it appears that Franken will be certified the winner by the State Canvassing Board,” a statement from Reid’s office declared Tuesday. “We're keeping abreast of the situation and will make a decision with regard to Senate action at the appropriate point in the process."

That statement drew a sharp rebuke from GOP leaders.

“The American people will see right through Harry Reid’s crass partisan power grab,” Ken Blackwell, who is a leading contender for the GOP chairmanship, told Newsmax. “He wants to manufacture a filibuster-proof majority to push through his liberal agenda.”

Cornyn, the new chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, left little doubt Republicans would fight any attempt to make a Franken victory appear a foregone conclusion by seating him early.

“I can assure you there will be no way that people on our side of the aisle would agree to seat any senator provisionally or otherwise unless there is a valid election certificate and all legal issues with regard to who got the most votes is finally decided,” Cornyn told reporters during a conference call Friday.

Here's a new idea: why don't we just unseat the entire Senate and start over? Seems just as (un)constitutional as all the moves Reid, Cornyn, etc are using.

Oddly enough, Blago seems to be the only guy involved in this controversial Senate mess actually exercising his constitutional authority. Weird.

Did Pepsi Steal Obama's Logo?

This just looks a little too creepy. Just saying.

More Racial Fallout From Burris Appointment

A great piece from dcexaminer about the plight of Harry Reid and his fellow Democrat's desire not to seat Roland Burris.

Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush said that those upset about Rod Blagojevich saudacious U.S. Senate appointment “need to take a chill pill.”

The biggest dose of Rush¹s prescription should be reserved for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is now facing the possibility of ordering his Sergeant-at -arms to bar a 71-year-old black man from the Senate floor, as the white folks inside talk about the “taint” of his appointment.

Not that we feel bad for Reid, but enough with the race baiting. Seriously, where is the ObamaChrist to bring everyone together?

Left Wing Environmentalists: Use Global Warming Fear to Aid Redistribution of Wealth

From Newsbusters.org:

On Monday, one of Gore's leading scientific resources, Goddard Institute for Space Studies chief James Hansen, sent a letter to Barack and Michelle Obama specifically urging the president-elect to enact a tax on carbon emissions that would take money from higher-income Americans and distribute the proceeds to the less fortunate.

What? You see! This is what the Left is all about, folks! Scare us into believing in fallacies and using our fear and anxiety as leverage to use government to run every aspect of our lives.

Burris Donated Over $15,000 to Blagojevich. Pay to Play? Or Simple Generosity

Newsmax is reporting:

According to Illinois State Board of Elections records, Burris’ donations to Friends of Blagojevich include:

$1,000 on June 27.
$1,500 on Oct.22, 2007.
A $2,500 contribution on March 13, 2006, by Burris’ lobbying firm, Burris & Lebed Consulting, Inc.

A second contribution on March 13, 2006, also from Burris & Lebed Consulting, Inc., in the amount of $1,500.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Burris and his companies have donated $15,296 to
Blagojevich since 2002.

State records show that Burris & Lebed Consulting, a government-relations, media, and political consultancy firm, was placed on an special 2005 list of 19 Illinois companies to be favored by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) due to minority ownership. Burris’ firm was awarded an IDOT contract valued at $300,000 to recruit firms for construction work, beginning Jan. 1, 2005.

This just keeps getting better as we head into the New Year!

Burris Takes His Senate Nomination to the Courts

Longtime Loser Roland Burris filed a writ of mandamus with the Illinois Supreme Court asking that Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White essentially be forced into certifying Blago's appointment.



Apparently the crazy rules in Washington require proper documentation be sent to the Secretary of the Senate in order for Burris to be seated.



It is becoming increasingly clear by the minute that Harry Reid, Barack Obama and many Senate Democrats will do everything they can to keep their Senatorial Secret Society free of Blago's taint.



However, it still remains unclear how they actually plan on blocking the appointment. Blago, for better or worse, remains the Governor of Illinois. He has yet to be impeached, indicted or incarcerated and as such, he still has the power to appoint Burris.



It is also surprising that Burris wants to be part of a group that really does not want him to be there. Maybe it's because he has a history of being a political loser and now finally has his chance.



If Obama hadn't run for President, none of this would ever have happened...

Republicans Label Bush Bailout as "Socialism"

The Washington Times reported yesterday that several GOP Leaders have drafted a resolution blasting President Bush for supporting financial bailouts.

"We can't be a party of small government, free markets and low taxes while supporting bailouts and nationalizing industries, which lead to big government, socialism and high taxes at the expense of individual liberty and freedoms," said Solomon Yue, an Oregon member and co-sponsor of a resolution that criticizes the U.S. government bailouts of the financial and auto industries. Republican National Committee Vice Chairman James Bopp Jr. wrote the resolution and asked the rest of the 168 voting members to sign it.

"The resolution also opposes President-elect Obama's proposed public works program and supports conservative alternatives," while encouraging the RNC "to engage in vigorous public policy debates consistent with our party platform," said Mr. Bopp, a leading attorney for pro-life groups who has also challenged the campaign finance legislation that Mr. Bush signed.

Politico also covered the story, citing members of Congress who voted for the initial TARP money who are opposed to using the funds approved for financial and credit companies being used to bailout the auto industry.

The main problem here is that no one is watching what Sec. Paulson and the Treasury Department is actually doing with these funds. Everyone in Washington shares this blame, including the President and Congress. It is unclear why this oversight was never factored into the original legislation but it's no surprise that yet again, the Federal Government has no problem randomly throwing away the People's Money.

Hopefully, Obama and his team have a better plan moving forward with the other half of the TARP money; a plan that doesn't involve a public works package or more socialism.

Then again, this is Obama, the socialist...

Blagojevich Senate Appointment Fallout; Even Obama Says Burris Should Not Be Seated

Even Barack Obama opposes the move!

“Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat.”

Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Senate Democrats say they won't seat Burris.

Article I Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution says: "Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member."

That means the Senate can vote not to seat former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, argues Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Asked to explain how the Senate could expel an appointed senator who qualifies to sit in the chamber, Reid's office issued a statement Tuesday saying the judgment will be based on whether Blagojevich is qualified, not Burris.

"We are not making a judgment about qualifications of (the) appointee, but about whether (the) appointment itself is tainted by fraud. ... This is like judging the integrity of an election, free from fraud or corruption. It's the process that led to the appointment, not the appointee's fitness," Reid's office said in the statement.

Can someone please tell me what's going on? And why do Liberals like Alan Colmes continue to espouse the "innocent until proven guilty" argument!? Trying to claim that so long as Blago is technically governor he can continue to act as governor and appoint Obama's replacement.

Let's also keep in mind Rep. Bobby Rush adding the race card to the mess for no apparent reason during yesterday's press conference.

"I would ask you the not hang or lynch the appointee as you castigate the appointer and separate the appointee from the appointer," said Rush. "Roland Burris is worthy and he is the only one who can stand in the gap during this time and gather the confidence, re-establishing confidence of the people of the state of Illinois."

Rush then challenged Senate to not seat Burris. "There are no African-Americans in the Senate, and I don't think that anyone, any U.S. Senator who is sitting right now would want to go on record to deny one African-American from being seated in the U.S. Senate. I don't think they want to go on record doing that."
Rush promised to take his case to the Congressional Black Caucus, and he said he intended to lobby Senators as well -- including his Illinois colleague, Dick Durbin. "Let me remind you that the state of Illinois and the people of the state of Illinois in their collective wisdom have sent two African-Americans to the U.S. Senate," Rush said. "That makes a difference. This is not just a state of Illinois matter ... but indeed, by this decision, it has tremendous national importance."

But it was Rush who said in early December:

"I believe that the acts that are alleged to have been committed by the Governor are so heinous that he has forfeited his right to appoint someone to fill the seat of President-Elect Barack Obama. My bottom line is that the Governor should not be the one to make the appointment to this important office."

Blago simply does not care about the people of Illinios or America and he is still connected to Obama and Rahm. Just saying. What a mess.

Vicki Iseman Sues NY Times For Defamation

From USNews.com:

Washington lobbyist Vicki Iseman sued the New York Times for $27 million today. In a story the paper ran earlier this year, Iseman was linked romantically with presidential candidate John McCain in 1999.

The text of the suit is here (thank you Michael Calderone). Iseman's defamatory complaint has two bullet points--that the Times story communicated that she had exploited a relationship with McCain "to obtain favorable legislative outcomes for her clients"--a violation of professional and ethical norms. The second point is the paper's portrayal of the nature of her relationship with McCain (as "illicit and inappropriate") while she conducted business for clients before the committee chaired by McCain.

The Times says: "We fully stand behind the article. We continue to believe it to be true and accurate, and that we will prevail. As we said at the time, it was an important piece that raised questions about a presidential contender and the perception that he had been engaged in conflicts of interest."

Calderone reports Iseman's "said to have suffered mentally, emotionally, and in her health." He also notes that reporters at the Times "worked on the controversial lobbyist piece for months, and it was held up several times in the editorial process."

What goes around comes around! Karma strikes the NY Slimes! Hopefully this can be the start of some legitimate accountability for the Liberal Media Bias.

Blago Strikes Again! Illinois Governor to Name Former Ill. Attorney General Roland Burris

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Gov. Blago will name Roland Burris to replace Barack Obama in the US Senate.

WASHINGTON---I've learned that Gov. Blagojevich is poised to name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace President elect Barack Obama in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon. The embattled Blagojevich is fighting impeachment charges in the Illinois House for, among other reasons, trying to auction off the Senate seat held by President elect Barack Obama. Blagojevich called a press conference for 2 p.m. Chicago time at the Thompson State of Illinois Center.

Burris was the first African American to win statewide office in Illinois when he was elected comptroller, serving from 1983 to 1991. He served as Illinois Attorney General from 1991 to 1995. Burris previously ran and lost bids for the U.S. senate and governor. Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) had said he would ask the Senate not to seat any Blagojevich appointee, in order to make sure the seat is free of taint.

Burris has a long political history in Illinois, mostly on the losing side of elections. (Lost to Paul Simon in 1984 Senate race, lost 1994 run for Governor, lost in 1995 bid for Mayor of Chicago, was yet again unsuccessful to get Democratic nomination in the 2002 Governor race, where he lost to, that's right, Blago!)

So a corrupt Governor who is currently facing impeachment hearings nominates a lifetime loser.

Is anyone else getting the feeling that Blago is completely insane?

Fitzgerald May Release Blagojevich Tapes to Illinois Impeachment Panel

Breitbart.com /Associated Press reports:

CHICAGO (AP) - U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wants lawmakers to hear what Gov. Rod Blagojevich said on wiretapped phone calls. Fitzgerald filed paperwork Monday to release conversations caught on wiretaps to the Illinois House panel considering impeachment proceedings. Federal prosecutors have asked a judge for permission to disclose a limited number of the intercepted conversations in a redacted form.

Fitzgerald says disclosing four calls wouldn't interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation. Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on federal corruption charges. The governor is accused of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, but he has denied any wrongdoing.

We can't wait to hear this stuff! And Rahm officially resigned today to Blagojevich. Insert your own "had no contact" joke here!

Another $6 Billion for The Auto Companies!

From Politico. When does it end?

Using financial markets rescue funds, Treasury will purchase $5 billion in senior preferred equity from GMAC LLC, and up to $1 billion more will be lent to GM itself so the automaker can participate in a rights offering at GMAC, which has wanted to reorganize itself as a bank holding company.

GMAC won approval from the Federal Reserve last week to become a bank holding company, but that was contingent on the auto and home loan provider raising at least $30 billion in capital. Treasury’s announcement would appear to move GMAC closer to that goal, and a GM spokeswoman was optimistic Monday night.

Can we just let them go under? Buy a Kia?

Like, OMG! Caroline Kennedy, You Know: "You know...you know....you know....you know"

Couldn't resist! Like, Oh my God Becky...

"I'm really coming into this as somebody who isn't, you know, part of the system, who obviously, you know, stands for the values of, you know, the Democratic Party," Kennedy told the Daily News Saturday during a wide-ranging interview.

"I know how important it is to, you know, to be my own person. And, you know, and that would be obviously true with my relationship with the mayor."

"You know, I think, you know, we're sort of, uh, sharing some of this experience. And um, as I've said, he was a friend, a family member, and um so, and uh obviously, he's, you know, he's also had an impressive career in public office."

"It's really, you know, it's not about just the Kennedy name," she said. "It's about my own work and what I've done with those values."

Like, OMG! Sweet Caroline would, you know, make like a great Senator, you know!?

And the Left crucified Sarah Palin for the way she speaks.

Laura Bush Defends Husband, Mrs Bush and Secretary Rice say Bush Administration Is Not A Failure

As we have been saying all along, President George Bush will be remembered kindly in the history books for protecting the American people, aiding Middle East peace and helping the citizens of the world at large.

From the Associated Press(via Yahoo):

The two most influential women in President George W. Bush's White House — first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — are strongly defending the president's legacy against critics who are calling his administration one of the worst in history.

"I know it's not, and so I don't really feel like I need to respond to people that view it that way," Mrs. Bush said in an interview that aired Sunday. "I think history will judge and we'll see later."

Rice took a similar view in a separate interview, saying that claims that the Bush administration has been one of the worst ever are "ridiculous."

"I think generations pretty soon are going to start to thank this president for what he's done. This generation will," Rice said. "Because I think the fact that we
have really made foreign assistance not just an issue of giving humanitarian aid or giving money to poor people, but really insisting on good governance and fighting corruption," she said. "I think the fact that this president has laid the groundwork for a Palestinian state, being the first president, as a matter of policy, to say that there should be one, and now, I think, laying the foundation that's going to lead to that Palestinian state — I can go on and on."

In her interview, Mrs. Bush called the shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad an "assault." She rebuffed Bush administration critics who contend the U.S. turned its military might and resources to the war in Iraq before finishing the job in Afghanistan.

Mrs. Bush noted that under her husband's watch, the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein and liberated millions of people in Afghanistan and Iraq from oppressive governments. She also highlighted the president's work to provide treatment for disease like AIDS and malaria to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. She said her husband responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a way that has kept the nation safe.

"I think that's very, very important," she said. Mrs. Bush said that while the president laughed it off when an Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at him during a news conference earlier this month in Iraq, she was not amused. The president deftly dodged the shoes and wasn't hit. He continued the news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki after security officials dragged the journalist from the room.

"The president laughed it off," she said. "He wasn't hurt. He's very quick. As you
know, he's a natural athlete and ducked it. But on the other hand, it is an assault. And I think it should be treated that way. And I think people should think of it that way."

On the other hand, she said the incident reflects change in Iraq. "As bad as the incident is, in my view, it is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves," she said.

Mrs. Bush challenged critics who contend that Iraq was a distraction the U.S. mission in Afghanistan where heightened violence is causing renewed instability. "Well, I don't know that I would agree with that at all," Mrs. Bush said. "I don't think that's true at all. We've stayed very, very invested in Afghanistan. Not as invested militarily, maybe, and maybe that's what the critics say, that it should have been more military. But I think we stayed very invested."

Rice said it won't be long before Bush's contributions to the world will be acknowledged.

"When you look at what this president took on in terms of AIDS relief and foreign assistance to the world, when you look at the number of countries ... and the number of people that this president has actually liberated — you know, I really am someone who believes that you don't want to pay too much attention to today's headlines," she said.

But recognition of big achievements sometimes take a long time, Rice said. Rice noted that while Germany was reunified in 1990, the work that made it possible was done in the 1940s, "when things didn't look quite so rosy." So historians who are now making judgments about the Bush administration and its Middle East policies aren't very good historians, Rice said.

"One cannot yet judge the effects of decisions that this president has taken on what the Middle East will become," Rice said. "I mean, for goodness' sakes, good historians are still writing books about George Washington."

Mrs. Bush spoke on "Fox News Sunday," while Rice was on CBS "Sunday Morning."

Visit Fox News for the complete Laura Bush transcript.