Laura Bush Praises Hillary; Defends Michelle Obama

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - First Lady Laura Bush spoke candidly for the first time about the presidential race on Monday, saying she admired Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) "endurance" and that Michelle Obama's controversial statements had been misconstrued.

"I know what its like to run those campaigns, to be the candidate and how very difficult it is both emotionally and physically," The first lady said in an ABC interview while in Slovenia with President George Bush for a summit with European leaders. "It's a huge endurance, process of endurance, and so I'll have to say I have a lot of admiration for her endurance and strength."

Asked about the controversial remark by Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) wife, Laura Bush said, "I think she probably meant I'm 'more proud,' you know, is what she really meant... that's one of the things you learn and that's one of the really difficult parts both of running for president and for being the spouse of the president, and that is, everything you say is looked at and in many cases misconstrued."

Michelle Obama had earned the ire of conservatives and critics in February when she said during speech in Milwaukee, "Hope is making a comeback and let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but because I think people are hungry for change."