Mrs Bush says husband's humour makes job easier

The same sense of humour that helped President George W Bush as a father of twin teenage daughters has eased his transition in Washington, his wife said.

While the President ‘‘has to work on his patience,’’ his ability to make people laugh is his best characteristic, said Laura Bush.

‘‘When we had tense moments at home with teenagers, he could usually be funny in a way that would defuse the nervousness and the tension and make everyone laugh.

And he still can do that,’’ she said. ‘‘I think that’s one of the reasons he can work well with people on both sides of the aisle, because he doesn’t take himself seriously.’’

Mrs Bush said she has been pleasantly surprised by the new forum she has as first lady to promote issues like education.

The tabloid attention to the Bush’s 19-year-old twins, Barbara and Jenna, has been difficult, though: ‘‘I think people know that half of what’s in the tabloids is not true,’’ she said.

Mrs Bush said former first lady Hillary Clinton had given her advice ‘‘about everything, from closets to ways to raise children in the White House.’’

Mrs Bush praised her husband’s appointments of women to prominent jobs and said she was consulted about his choices ‘‘to some extent.’’

The first lady also said that she agreed with the president’s decision to skip homecoming ceremonies last weekend for the 24 surveillance plane crew members who were held in China for 11 days.

‘‘Of course George likes the spotlight, but at the same time, I think he thinks there are certain times that families ought to be afforded privacy and the opportunity to hug each other in privacy,’’ she said in the interview at the White House.

On other issues, Mrs Bush, a former school teacher and librarian, said:

:: During the presidential vote recount last autumn in Florida ‘‘we were just like everyone in America, we were on pins and needles waiting to hear what happened.’’

::That she would not elaborate on a comment she made earlier this year that she didn’t think the landmark Roe v. Wade pro-abortion ruling should be undone. Asked if she had changed her position, she said: ‘‘No I haven’t, of course. But I want to talk about other issues.’’

:: Vice President Dick Cheney’s health is ‘‘of concern, but I think I also feel very reassured about that.’’