Steady, graceful, and likable, Laura Bush provides her husband with the thing that a man wants most (whether he knows it or not): to never be embarrassed by the woman by his side. Mrs. Bush stands firmly by her man and leaves no wake.

Which is not so say that our first lady leaves no impression. With a flash of her smile, Mrs. Bush brings a brilliant human quality to a president who has become the target of vehement extremes of emotion. This is one of the main things she will do tonight when she addresses the Republican convention.

“Laura Bush moderates George Bush’s image,” said political strategist Greg Strimple of Mercury Public Affairs. “She is the most sought-after person to stump for other candidates.”

That candidates – including her own husband – want a little of the first lady’s sparkle to rub off on them is understandable. She is a positive person whose interests and chosen causes have almost universal commendation.

She promotes reading and literacy – no surprise considering her background as a teacher and librarian. She has worked on education campaigns for matters of women’s health, including breast cancer and heart disease. And she has kept herself almost entirely separate and removed from her husband’s work and from any obviously partisan causes.

For some, however, Mrs. Bush’s agreeable image is a sign of blankness or a lack of character. Should she do more while occupying one of the most visible public roles in American life? Should she be more stylish, more aggressive, more Hillary?

Whether she should or not is debatable, but what’s clear is that she has chosen the path that allows her to be dubbed “the perfect wife.” It may make for a first lady of fewer headlines, but it is not uncommon for women to put the needs their family before their careers, wardrobe, or social life. A great many women in this country do just that. And they vote. It is to those voters – and their husbands – Mrs. Bush will appeal in her address. If her low-profile, wifely-image rankles feminists, well, there’s always the more cosmopolitan Teresa Heinz Kerry.

Still, if there were an election for first lady, the Democrats would have a very tough time beating Mrs. Bush. “She’s one of the most poised women I have ever known,” said author and former White House social secretary Letitia Baldrige. “Nothing throws her. She’s is a wonderful hostess.”

Mr. Strimple agrees: “She’s the first lady, mother of two children, and she seems to be doing all this with in an unflappable style. She does it with balance and grace.”

“She seems very genuine and that comes across in her presentation,” said Brooks Kochvar, chief of staff for Indiana Rep. Chris Chocola. Mr. Kochvar observed a crowd erupt for Mrs. Bush when she surprised everyone by coming along to a campaign stop with President Bush.

Mrs. Bush’s personal style, however, doesn’t so much as whisper “Lone Star state.” “Texas is big blonde hair and Chanel,” said fashion designer Bradley Bayou, the creative director of Halston and a Texan, too. “Laura Bush’s style is definitely more Washington. She’s not going to set any trends. That’s not what she wants to do.”

Mrs. Bush typically wears well-fitting suits in attractive colors other than black or gray. “She’s comfortable in them,” said Ms. Baldrige. “Why not be comfortable?”

Safe, comfortable, reliable. It’s an image that this administration needs. And Mrs. Bush delivers.