Our New President, George W. Bush, has had his own opinion about "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?": Back on Friday, February 25, 2000, Bush had been featured in an AOL LiveChat; and when asked how he would feel if one of his daughters had come home and said "Dad, I'm going to appear on a TV show called 'Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?'", the then-Texas Governor-- and Presidential candidate-- had laughed heartily, then explained his ground rules for his family, which he'd laid down earlier in the campaign when asked how he would respond if one of his daughters was pregnant and sought an abortion:
"I'm not going to talk about my girls in any hypothetical way," he said. "I know it frustrates some in the media; that's too bad. These girls are not running for president, I am."
He added: "You don't see them in my advertising because I want to protect their privacy. I know what they're going through."
The son of former President Bush said it is a bigger challenge to be the child than the candidate seeking the biggest prize in politics.
"Listen, it is really hard to be the offspring of a candidate for president. It is much easier to be the candidate. People can say things about me and it doesn't bother me, my hide is thick."
While refusing to talk about his daughters as potential contestants on the controversial Fox TV show that led to an on-air wedding, Bush was quick to condemn the program as a "ridiculous" manifestation of a troubled culture:
"I would say, about that show: it's ridiculous. What kind of society is this? Marriage is powerful. Marriage is love. And what kind of society is this? That's part of what -- when I say I want to lift the spirit of America, that's what I'm talking about; and to blow the whistle on kind of a pop culture where people come and show up on TV to marry somebody out of the blue. You'll be happy to hear I didn't watch it, either."
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But on a day, approximately 10 years ago, Mr. Bush had met a future "Millionaire Bride":
On the show, "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?," Shanti Williams describes the day the future Dallas, Texas "Bride" candidate met future Presidential candidate, George Bush:
Jay: "Shanti Williams; it says here that you actually have met Presidential candidate George W. Bush? [ she giggle-gasps ] He played a prominant role in your past. Can you tell us about that?"
Shanti: "My 6th grade class took a field trip to Arlington Stadium, when he owned the Texas Rangers, and we were measuring the field for a geometry class, and he landed in his helicopter, and was jogging around the field, and I was the one who was nominated by my class to go find out who he was, and [ giggles ] I had a broken arm at the time, and he signed my cast."
Jay: "So you mean you have the signature of a potential Republican loser from the nomination process?"
Shanti: "Mmm, Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
The show had been taped prior to Mr. Bush's being confirmed as the Republican candidate. But now that he's won the Presidency, itself, Jay shall have to eat his words.
Shanti, dear, today you have a collector's item. What shall you do with it?
And Mr. Bush? Would you ever have Shanti to a White House dinner? I bet she and your daughters, Jenna and Barbara would get along splendidly.
[ sources: ©2000 Los Angeles Times, February 27, 2000, by Robert A. Rosenblatt, Times staff writer; AOL Live transcript Copyright 2000 America Online, Inc., and Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? transcript by Susan Brown ©2000 ]
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[ Additional comments by Mr. Bush, with which we heartily concur: ] AOL:...How has your father's term in the White House influenced your decision to become president?
Gov. George W. Bush: I appreciate that question. First, I went to a rally earlier, and a lot of people were asking about him. He's great. I said,"What are you trying to do? Trying to steal the news?"
AOL: We should explain, he was hospitalized...
Gov. George W. Bush: He was hospitalized in Florida. He had a fibrillation of his heart. He's feeling great. He's back at home. I first talked to Mother to make sure I got the unvarnished report. You know, I love my dad a lot. He gave me the greatest gift that a father can give a son, which is unconditional love. So, obviously, he has an influence on my life. Probably the greatest influence, when you receive unconditional love from somebody you love, you take risks because you understand that no matter what happens, that which is important in life still exists, my faith and my family.
Gov. George W. Bush: You know, I think -- I don't think it mattered that he ran for president or was the president or that I'm running for president. It matters to the extent that I understand what I'm going through. And I understand the pressures. I know full well the marathon, the run to [the] presidency, what that meant. I knew the pressures on my family. I knew what it meant for 18-year-old twin daughters, what they're going through.
Gov. George W. Bush: But I'm running because I'm on a mission. I want the American dream to touch every willing heart. I want our children to grow up in peace. I want there to be education. I understand what's happening here in AOL and other places of entrepreneurial spirit. The role of government needs to be limited and focused. I'm running because I want our country to fulfill its promise.
Gov. George W. Bush: Practically, I inherited half his friends and all his enemies. There are people that will not vote for me because of who my dad is. There are people that are interested in hearing what I have to say because of who my mother is. I know that. And I'm oftentimes asked, if you were George W. Smith, would you be sitting here? And my answer is, I'm George W. Bush. And I performed in office as governor of the second biggest state in the union. I would not be here, had I not done in office what I said I was going to do. I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a record that's a powerful record of reform with positive results.
Gov. George W. Bush: So to answer your question, my family has had a huge influence on me, [in a] very positive and powerful way. If you're a mother and a dad, it [doesn't] matter what you do for a living. That's not your most important job. Your most important job would be to love your children with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. It's important for a president to say that, repeatedly, because America's promise begins when our children feel loved.
AOL Live transcript Copyright 2000 America Online, Inc.
6/4/01 FOLLOW-UP:
Considering all the troubles that George W. Bush's twin daughters Jenna and Barbara have been getting in, it seems that the LEAST worst thing one of them could've told him, was that they were going on a show called "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?" There are those who say that Jenna and Barbara should be allowed to make their own mistakes, and live as "normal" young people, i.e., their multiple arrests for drunkeness, using false I.D.s, etc. But is it NORMAL, everyday behaviour to use false I.D., and to be drunk? Lots and lots of young people do not drink to excess, especially to the degree that Jenna and Barbara Bush have.
Then there have been disturbing complaints fron ex-schoolmates, as to the character and personalities [ Re: GEORGE W> BUSH'S TWIN DAUGHTERS ARE BAD INFLUENCES ]. The truth is, that despite their parents' desire for them to lead a normal life, they have to face the fact that such things as tabloids exist, and the offspring of the famous DO engender public interest. They'll be written about whether people like it or not; and in the long run, it may be a good thing: maybe it will provide the impetus needed to stop their destructive ways, and save them from a drunken-driving accident, or alcohol poisoning, or eventual liver damage. Sometimes it's NOT a good thing to have unbridled freedom, with no responsibility, not having to answer for their deeds. Too much of a bad thing can lead to ruin. Certainly, one feels sorry for the children of the famous. In Great Britain, the scions of many wealthy, important families have run wild, and run through their trust funds to buy drugs. Many of them have had to undergo rehab. Did the spying, prying press CREATE that problem, or do they just report it? Does the press ruin a young person's life by "tattling" on their indiscretions and misdemeanors? Or does the presence of this scrutiny eventually force a needed behaviour modification?
I think that Jenna and Barbara Bush are utter fools for behaving the way they do, whether they be scions of the famous, or just the kid down the street. They're going to be lucky in the long run; for if their dad was not the President, they'd both likely have ended up in worse trouble.
P.S. I'm not sure whether or not Shanti would be their best pal, or allowed to--since seeing her being suckered into stripping off everything on The Howard Stern Show ( taped in early 2000, rebroadcast on E! 5/16/01 ). She seemed to have been under the impression that her "private parts" would be blocked-out: Howard HAD promised to "put up bars": but that turned out NOT to be opaque bars, but simply that video digitized wavy effect. You could STILL see what she ( and fellow "Millionaire Bride" contestant Elizabeth Wittlesbach ) looked like! I'm NOT being a prude--if they want to strip, it's their business--but they were really pressured, and I think not told the truth; and paid in a miserly $7000 to be split--$3500 apiece! But women who strip off tops only have been paid $10,000! They were cheated! see my transcript of Howard Stern meets the Millionaire Brides
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