Any takers for Laura vs Hillary? If the president's brother Jeb won't take on Mrs Clinton in 2008 to keep a Bush in the White House, some see the first lady fitting the bill, writes Jacqui Goddard.

(From South China Morning Post)

She was always known as the quiet one, a mousy First Lady who happily stayed on the sidelines while her husband took the limelight. Then she became the mouse that roared.

Now, Laura Bush - fresh from an outbreak of feisty public addresses, bold comments and her own Middle East tour - is learning the consequences of having dipped her toe in the political pool. She is being touted as the next president of the United States.

While the suggestion amounts to little more than tongue-in-cheek chatter, it has provided a fresh excuse for Washington to return to one of its favourite debates - the question of just who will be lining up to replace President George W.Bush …