Role of women in GOP emphasized by Laura Bush

"Women have always played an important role in our party," First Lady Laura Bush said, addressing the Republican National Convention, "from energizing the grass roots to driving policy."

She continued, "Women have always played an important role in our party from energizing grass roots to driving policy."

Mrs. Bush thanked the Republican women in the audience for "making the Republican party so strong," and noted the strong women her husband had appointed, including Margaret Spellings, Elaine Chao, and Condaleeza Rice.

Mrs. Bush started her speech by praising the GOP ticket, "true American hero" John McCain and his vice presidential candidate, and said she was proud that it would be the Republican party who would have the first female vice president.