Michelle Obama and Laura Bush tag teamed the presentation Wednesday for African first ladies, with a cameo from George W. Bush.
BY Leslie Larson
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Wednesday, August 6, 2014, 8:40 AM
George W. Bush crashed his wife’s event for African first ladies on Wednesday.
"I note that this is called the first spouses event, not the first ladies event," he joked to the crowd at the Kennedy Center, primarily filled with wives of African leaders.
"There are a few men in the audience whose wives are more popular than they are ... and I’m one of them,” he added.
Bush stood out among the female friendly group, gathered to hear from Michelle Obama and Laura Bush.
The pair kicked off the event with a discussion moderated by journalist Cokie Roberts, talking about the challenges of their role and even broaching the hairy criticism they get over their coiffure.
"I remember, as I recall, when were -- last year you were still getting blowback about your bangs," Roberts joked to Obama about the summer scandal of 2013.
“Yes, that’s over,” Obama said in relief, but noted the slick back bun she sported on stage could land her in hot water.
“Let’s see what they say about this one.”
Michelle Obama declared her kinship with the group, declaring "Africa is home for us,” - a repeat of her husband's toast Tuesday night at a White House dinner when he said "the blood of Africa runs through our family."
"I note that this is called the first spouses event, not the first ladies event"
Obama praised Bush as "a role model and a friend," and they jointly encouraged the spouses from African nations in attendance to be a force for good.
The duo, two of the six surviving U.S. first ladies, first joined forces last summer in Tanzania to speak to African first ladies — when Michelle Obama famously joked the White House was a “really nice prison.”
For their encore performance, the pair hosted a symposium to coincide with the President's U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington.
Former President George W. Bush sat in the audience at the spousal gathering while his wife was onstage.
Later he took the stage to discuss the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative to fight cervical and breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.
Africa is a family cause for the Bushes. Their daughter Barbara Bush founded Global Health Corps, which works toward innovative public health solutions in several African countries.
"There are not many things that convince me to come back to Washington," but dinner with their daughter is one of them, the former President said.
While the First Ladies gabbed, with the 43rd President in tow, President Obama spoke to leaders at the U.S. Department of State on the importance of investing in Africa's future.
llarson@nydailynews.com
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http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/g...
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