Laura Bush Says Not Bothered by Heinz Kerry Remark.

NEW LONDON, N.H. (Reuters) - U.S. first lady Laura Bush on Thursday dismissed as unimportant a comment by the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry that Mrs. Bush was someone who had not held a “real job.”

She played down a controversy that blew up over the remark and expressed sympathy for Teresa Heinz Kerry for having to handle the pressures of being on the campaign trail and answer reporters’ questions.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Mrs. Bush told reporters as she campaigned in the swing state of New Hampshire. “It was perfectly alright. She apologized and she didn’t even really need to apologize,” Mrs. Bush said.

“I know how tough it is. Actually, I know those trick questions, too,” she said.