For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
October 8, 2008

Interview of the First Lady by Maggie Rodriguez of "The Early Show," CBS News
Map Room

8:10 A.M. EDT

Q Good morning, Mrs. Bush.

MRS. BUSH: Good morning, Maggie.

Q Before we talk pink, I'd like to talk a little red and blue to continue the debate conversation we were just having. I know you didn't get to see all of it because of your event, but I'm sure that you know that the economy dominated the conversation, and that it was clear that most people have no confidence in the government's ability to fix this. Why should they?

MRS. BUSH: Well, we have a actually very dynamic economy, but it's a huge global economy, and I think that's what we're seeing as we look around the world, in fact. But I think what the government did, what the Congress did to come together to pass the big bill they passed last week will start to show up, and things will be better. I think so far today things look a little bit better.

People are worried. Everyone is worried. Obviously, the President is very worried about this. But on the other hand, I think we're strong, and I know we can come out of it. Will it be fast? No, not as fast as a lot of people would like. But it will happen.

Q Since that bill passed, the $700 billion bailout, the Dow has lost more than 1,000 points. Do you think that the rate cut today by the Fed will mark a turning point? Do you think we're finally going to start to turn this corner?

MRS. BUSH: Well, I hope so. And I think what we've seen over the last few days is a market correction. And what I hope is that with the rate cut today by the Fed, that things will stabilize and even out, and that's what we're all hoping for. But we'll all be watching to see.

Q Yes, everyone is hoping for that. Mrs. Bush, let's talk about your crusade against breast cancer. Why is this so personal for you?

MRS. BUSH: Well, my mother is a breast cancer survivor. My grandmother also had breast cancer. So it's a personal family thing to me. But I've met people around the world who are breast cancer survivors. And of course like so many people, I've lost some of my very best friends to breast cancer. So I think it's really important for women to know about it, and women to take charge of their health.

I made a trip last year to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates where women wouldn't even mention breasts -- nothing would be mentioned about breasts in the media or any other way to educate women about what they can do for early detection -- and where breast cancer is still associated with shame and with stigma. And what I'm hoping we can do is get the word out worldwide to women that there's nothing shameful about breast cancer, and that women can protect themselves if they perform monthly self-examinations and have regular screenings.

Women should also know what their family history is, just -- I know that my mother and grandmother both had breast cancer, and so I know to be particularly watchful and to be sure to have regular screenings. And so I'm hoping that women around the world will do the same thing.

Q Mrs. Bush, I'm watching you at the White House today, and I'm thinking, she's not going to be there much longer. How do you feel when you think about your days there winding down?

MRS. BUSH: Well, nostalgic, really. You know, both -- I'm looking to a more normal life, a more private life, but at the same time savoring every moment in this really beautiful house. It's been a huge privilege to represent the people of the United States.

Q Laura Bush, it's good to talk to you once again, as always. Thank you.

MRS. BUSH: Thanks, Maggie.

END 8:14 A.M. EDT