CBS's Laura Bush Interview Joined the America's-Tarnished-Image Bandwagon

On Monday’s “Early Show,” co-host Hannah Storm interviewed First Lady Laura Bush. Unlike Mrs. Bush’s interview on “Today,” Storm’s questions were much more supportive of the first lady, yet she still managed to sneak in a few questions regarding America/>/>’s image abroad and the first lady’s role in approving President Bush’s speeches.

Storm held off until her fourth question before delving into the issue of America/>/>’s reputation abroad:

"And with your commitment to global literacy and world health and fighting diseases like AIDS. Do you hope that this can help in terms of the U.S./>/> image which has suffered so badly internationally?"

Following Mrs. Bush’s response, Storm noted that President Bush was giving a speech today, and asserted that she was that it had been approved by the first lady:

"And good luck with everything today, and I know your husband is speaking and I am assuming that you have approved his speech."

It came as no surprise that Mrs. Bush refuted the claim. However, unlike “Today,” Hannah Storm managed to restrict most of her questions to the first lady’s activities and her goals in the areas of literacy, rather than attempting to score political points at her expense.

Below are Hannah Storm's questions to Mrs. Bush.

Hannah Storm: "Good morning again everybody, First Lady Laura Bush has been traveling the world over for nearly six years to promote the idea of literacy among the world's poor and needy. And, today, here in New York City/>/> she hosts the first ever White House Conference on Global Literacy. Good morning. This has been such a passionate cause for you."

[Bush]

Hannah Storm: "And Particularly as it pertains to women and girls around the world. Why is it so important?"

[Bush]

Hannah Storm: "As everybody knows you were a librarian and also a grade schoolteacher so this has always been something close to your heart. But to be in a position now to bring all these people here, you have first ladies and first spouses from around the world and ministers of education and major decision makers, how gratifying is that?"

[Bush]

Hannah Storm: "You're going to be speaking about global health also at the Clinton Global Initiative. So former president Clinton has brought you into the fold. And of course, he is very friendly with your father-in-law and lunches occasionally with your husband. How did you come to work with him?"

[Bush]

Hannah Storm: "And with your commitment to global literacy and world health and fighting diseases like AIDS do you hope that this can help in terms of the U.S./>/> image, which has suffered so badly internationally?"

[Bush]

Hannah Storm: "And good luck with everything today, and I know your husband is speaking and I am assuming that you have approved his speech."

[Bush]

Hannah Storm: "There you go. It's great to have you on our program again this morning Mrs. Bush.”