Political Circus: Barbara Bush jokes hubby should be House speaker

By Ed Hornick, CNN

President George W. Bush tears up while reading a love letter he wrote to his wife Barbara.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Former first lady Barbara Bush weighs in on her husband's crying
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discusses her personal life
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in trouble with the law

RELATED TOPICS

Washington (CNN) -- Politics is serious business -- but not all the time.

It's not just Boehner

Former first lady Barbara Bush, in an NBC News interview with her granddaughter -- "Today Show" contributor Jenna Hager -- said that her husband cries a lot and reminds her of a certain top congressional Republican.

In the interview Monday, President George H.W. Bush began choking up and got teary after he and Mrs. Bush read love notes to each other.

After a brief pause for Bush to collect himself after the dramatic recitation, his wife responded: "You know what? You could be Speaker of the House."

'Champion napper'

She may be the nation's top diplomat earning her frequent flier miles, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took time out to talk to Harper's Bazaar about everything from her handbags to her daily workout routine.

On working out, Clinton says she has a personal trainer who "comes and tortures me" at 6 a.m. up to three times a week. "Not that it shows," she chuckles, "but it does energize me."

It also turns out she's a "champion napper."

On those handbags: "I do love a good handbag ... I'm on the uniter side. I think no one should make fun of anyone else's handbag choices."

Quote board

"The other day on 'Live! With Regis and Kelly,' first lady Michelle Obama said you can't go wrong with jewelry on Valentine's Day ... Lindsay Lohan said 'oh yeah you can.'" -- Jay Leno

"These conservatives are arguing that the world's 1.2 billion Muslims cannot be trusted to govern themselves. That's not what I call loving freedom" -- Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson on the revolution in Egypt.

"Democracy fever in that region is like this year's H1N1, and it's hard to imagine a shot that will stop it. Even if it comes from a rifle, or a tank, or a fill-in-the-blank" -- WABC-TV anchor Bill Ritter discussing Egypt in his "Behind the News" column.

Tweet of the day

Veteran CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted Tuesday on President Obama's new press secretary Jay Carney:

@markknoller: Carney was reaching out to reporters, visiting and schmoozing in the press room yesterday. Don't be a stranger, Jay. You're always welcome.

Headline of the day

Wonkette: Michelle Obama Will Cure Your Obesity and Failing Love Life

In court news

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will be tried on charges of sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power, an Italian judge ruled Tuesday.

Berlusconi denies the charges, and his lawyers have argued that the Milan courts do not have the authority to try a prime minister or jurisdiction over the case because of where the alleged crimes were committed.