Franken-Lies-And-the-Lying-Liars-Who-Tell

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I Meet Former First Lady Barbara Bush and It Doesn't Go Well
During my adult life, the most popular First Lady by far has been Barbara Bush. There was
something about the ease of her matronly bearing that made us all feel comfortable. She was
everyone's grandmother. Even, it sometimes seemed, her husband's. And for those of us on
the liberal side, there was always the niggling suspicion that she was secretly pro-choice but
had chosen to keep that between herself and George. Barbara Bush was the benevolent matriarch,
somehow above the fray. Oh, an occasional unpleasantry might slip out, like when
she called Geraldine Ferraro a "bitch." But that was to be expected in the rough and tumble.
All in all, Barbara Bush was a role model for wives and mothers throughout the land.
That's why I was thrilled when I found myself on a flight from Houston to Washington,
D.C., sitting across from our former First Lady. It was January of 2000, just a week or
two before the primary season was beginning, and this would be my chance to charm her. I
was flying first class because I had just given one of my hilarious and well-received corporate
speeches. Mrs. Bush had a window seat, so I was sitting directly across from a Secret Service
man, who checked me out when I stood up to say hi. I gave him a smile that said, "Don't
worry, I'm all right." See, I consider myself a people person, and I know how to handle myself.
Anyway, I guess I checked out because he let me lean in and say, "Excuse me, Mrs.
Bush. My name is Al Franken and I'm a friend of Dana Carvey's."
"Oh. Well, Dana's a good man." Yes, Dana is. Dana had done the hilarious, if at times
somewhat unflattering, impression of Bush Sr. on Saturday Night Live. Quite generously, the
Bushes had invited Dana to the White House after the 1992 election, and I knew they had
gotten along famously. See? People person.
"I'll bet Dana misses my husband," she said with a wry smile. "Yes. But I'm sure he's
working on your son," I responded jauntily.
Her smile disappeared. "Well, I don't know of any characteristics that he has that anyone
could possibly make fun of."
As it so happens, I had found a small Dubya quirk and decided it might be fun to
show it to his mother. I was sure she'd get a kick out of it. "Well, when he laughs sometimes,