December 2, 1999
Web posted at: 10:10 a.m. EST (1510 GMT)

NASHUA, New Hampshire (NHPrimary.com) -- Laura Bush touted her husband’s theme of compassionate conservatism to the city Wednesday, casting George W. Bush as an honest presidential candidate who has a heart for children and helping them make the right choices.

"I think America is ready for a new kind of leader, somebody who has an optimistic message for our country, who is positive and encouraging, someone who unites people instead of dividing them," said the First Lady of Texas at a Nashua Area Federated Republican Women’s Club luncheon Wednesday.

During the third stop of a visit to New Hampshire, Bush ate lunch, took photos and mingled with a crowd of about 100 women and a few men at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Among the attendees was U.S. Rep. Charles Bass, R-N.H., a vocal supporter of Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

Bush touted her husband’s background on education, including his launching of the "Right Choices For Youth" initiative in Texas, which encourages children to stay in school, avoid drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex and crime.

Focusing on issues such as character education and abstinence education, the program has been proven to boost a child’s chances of making the right choices, she said.

"His philosophy on education is simple: let local people control their own schools, set high standards for every student and never give up on any child," she said.

Working closely with both Republicans and Democrats in the Texas legislature, the governor ensures that every school district in that state concentrates on teaching reading, she said.

If children succeed in reading, they can also succeed in history, in science and in math, Bush said, pointing to Texas student test scores.

She noted that 88 percent of third-graders passed the reading portion of the state assessment test this year, up from 76 percent in 1994.

Texas’ minority students made even stronger gains while Bush has been governor, she said. African American students in grades four and eight increased their marks on reading exams by 23 points, and eighth-graders posted a 40-point gain on the math exam, she said.

"George has represented our state with dignity and honor," she said. "I’d like to see him do the same thing for our nation."

Rep. Charles Bass spoke briefly after Bush, urging the crowd to vote for the Texas governor.

"This is our opportunity to change the leadership of the White House," he said. "There’s only one candidate who has a real vision for the country in the 21st century and has the experience as governor of Texas to make things happen," Bass said, adding later, "George Bush will not let us down."

Nashua High School senior Blair Curran, 17, who attended the luncheon with her mother, Beth, said she was impressed with Mrs. Bush’s speech and George Bush’s view on education.

"I’m really involved with telling my parents a lot of stuff about what’s going on with school," Blair Curran said. "The fact that they’re involved with (education), I really like that. I would vote for Mr. Bush."

Mary Jane Spaulding, 68, a Nashua native, said she voted for George Bush years ago and will vote for his son.

"He’s done a lot of good things for Texas," she said. "I think he would be an excellent president, just like his father."

Darlene Rowe, 68, of Nashua, was pleased to see Mrs. Bush campaigning for her husband, she said.

"I hope it creates a spark for all of us to start campaigning for Bush," she said. "There’s been too much apathy. We’ve had bad leadership and I think it’s creating questions about our political future."

After her luncheon speech, Bush spent the afternoon in Exeter where she greeted holiday shoppers at the Time of Wonder Children’s Bookstore.

Thursday, December 2, 1999

• Bush endures slaps from GOP rivals in fully attended candidate forum
• Journalists ask court for more information on grand jury related matters
• Gingrich won't attend party celebrating GOP takeover he helped engineer
• New Hampshire polls provide Bush, Gore with mixed bag of indicators
• CBO says budget breaks spending caps; dips into Social Security Trust Fund
• GOP candidates address Republican Jewish Coalition
• Clinton signs child labor treaty at world trade talks
• Required law reading: New York mayor's First Amendment clashes
• 1999: The year Congress did little on the immigration front
• Giuliani courts Jewish support, polls show first lady losing support among women
• Analysis: Bush takes stage for first presidential campaign debate
• Bush stands firm on free trade, questions Gore's ability to withstand labor pressure
• Trump says world views U.S. trade officials as 'saps'
• Media tours GOP convention site, Democrats behind schedule
• Bradley to focus on race, health care in speech to black legislators
• Gore clarifies latest campaign exaggeration
• NHPrimary.com: Wife of George W. Bush stands behind husband’s philosophy on education

ARCHIVES