Flying with the first lady: Smiles, but not much news

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Flying with the first lady: Smiles, but not much news
June 25, 2007
By Suzanne Malveaux
CNN

(Editor's note: In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events.)


First lady Laura Bush, right, meets the first lady of Senegal, Viviane Wade, in Dakar.

....I see the first lady two sections up chatting casually with her staff, sitting comfortably with her seat facing the back of the plane. There is a clear view of her, and my colleague beside me can't help but take a few pictures during this candid moment....

We are wheels up at 9:13 a.m. ET from Andrews Air Force Base, and we've been told we've got about 7½ hours before we land at our first stop in Dakar, Senegal....About an hour into the flight we are served breakfast -- scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit in cream and wheat English muffins. Just as soon as I lift my fork, the first lady's team (her two press secretaries, stenographer, and photographer) come to the back of the plane to announce she is coming to speak.

With our mouths full, they realize it may not be the right time. They march back to the front to suggest later. Later comes in 10 minutes. She walks to the back and, standing in the aisle, she leans over to talk, trying to drum out the noise of the engine. We all huddle and turn our ears toward her, straining to hear. Her language is almost identical to her briefing book....

***

I try again for something more newsy. I comment on how the president's Africa mission presents a positive picture of the U.S., and whether she believes, like her husband, the Guantanamo Bay prison should be closed. "I think I'll let the administration speak on that topic. That's not one of my topics, and that's certainly not the point of the trip," she says, still smiling....

We later learn from one of her press aides that her daughter Jenna is on the plane. We marvel how she got on without any of us seeing her.

A press aide says Jenna is writing a book called "Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope" about a 17-year-old Panamanian girl living with HIV-AIDS who she met while working for UNICEF in Panama. We all think this sounds interesting -- considering so much focus on high-profile young women seems to revolve around rehab and prison stints. I immediately inquire whether I might be able to pull Jenna aside on our trip to talk about her book, but am told I'll have to contact Jenna's publishing house for an interview....

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/25/btsc.first.lady.travel/index.html

[BlooInBloo]

1. I don't get it. What news does one *expect* from a First Lady?

[Warpy]

4. Pillow talk? Casserole recipes?

That's all they can reasonably expect from a GOP first lady since she is held up as the example of the ideal 50s wife: silent, obedient, homey, obedient, religious, obedient, modest, obedient.

I guess Hillary Clinton spoiled them.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. I think on a tax-payer-funded trip, there should be something to report. nt

[gatorboy]

2. So CNN decided to write 13 paragraph article...About nothing?

Seinfeld would be proud.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. I think that's the point Malveaux was making. There's nothing to report --

and probably will be nothing, even from daughter Jenna about her book.

[wordpix]

11. the article made me snore but if it's a taxpayer funded plane, that IS news

[Solly Mack]

3. the woman makes me sick

[Warpy]

5. Which one?

Malveaux was given an impossible job. So was Laura, and she doesn't even get paid for it.

[Solly Mack]

7. Laura

[KoKo]

9. Laura has her OWN PLANE? Called "Bright Star" ....Incredible..

Since when does a First Lady get her won plane. How much did we pay?

[wordpix]

10. a gov. funded plane? are you sure? Maybe part of King Gorge's estate?

[tammywammy]

13. It's a state visit, just like when Hillary Clinton went to Africa.

So, yeah, it's a government funded plane trip. And I'd guess that that's just what they call the plane she rides on, not that it's a plane for her use only. Just like the title Air Force One.

[greenbriar]

12. "Thats not one of my topics"

means she doesn't know shit