Laura steps forward to rescue Bush

In speech after campaign speech, President George Bush tells audiences that the best reason to vote for him is that a re-election victory means four more years of Laura Bush. There’s a good reason why – Bush’s wife is much more popular than he is.

Two-thirds of American voters have a favourable opinion of the first lady and 12% have an unfavourable view, recent polls show.

Just over half have a favourable view of the president and more than 40% have an unfavourable one.

Laura Bush’s popularity, and her greater prominence in this year’s campaign, will be on display tonight, when she addresses the Republican convention.

She is to address Republican women earlier in the day, with a first-ever joint introduction by daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush. The 22-year-old twins have only recently begun campaigning for their father.

Laura Bush has appeared beside her husband during his past campaigns, but is now spending more time at the campaign podium than ever before.

She is an effective campaigner, perhaps more so than other popular first ladies, because she appeals to committed Republicans and coveted independent voters alike, presidential scholars said.

“Previously she was pretty much in the background, but now they have brought her to the foreground because ... he needs all the help he can get,” said Robert Dallek, a presidential historian at Boston University.

Carl Sferrazza Anthony, who has written a two-volume account of first ladies, said Laura Bush comes across as more moderate, and perhaps more complex, than her husband. Her popularity draws partly a sense that “she doesn’t see things in black and white. She sees shades of grey,” Anthony said.

Her topic today – “the compassion of the American people” – reflects the understated tone.

“Mrs Bush is going to offer her personal perspective on the president’s leadership over the last four years,” said her spokesman, Gordon Johndroe. “She will talk about his accomplishments, their family and the hopeful days still to come.”