via the St. Petersburg Times:

Michael Schiavo: 'Come down, President Bush'

By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE, Times Staff Writer
Published March 20, 2005

PINELLAS PARK - Angered by the latest political developments in Washington, Michael Schiavo said Saturday that it isn't just the Florida governor who should visit his wife to learn about the case.

Jeb Bush's brother, President Bush, should visit Terri Schiavo, too, he said.

'Come down, President Bush,' Schiavo said in a telephone interview. 'Come talk to me. Meet my wife. Talk to my wife and see if you get an answer. Ask her to lift her arm to shake your hand. She won't do it.'

She won't, Schiavo said, because she can't.

He made a similar offer to the governor last week, saying lawmakers interferring in his wife's life know nothing about the case. So far, Gov. Bush hasn't responded to the offer.

President Bush has indicated he will sign any federal legislation to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

Weary after an emotional visit with his wife, Schiavo said he is astonished that politicians want to interfere in such a private matter.

'Instead of worrying about my wife, who was granted her wishes by the state courts the past seven years, they should worry about the pedophiles killing young girls,' Schiavo said, referring to a local case. 'Why doesn't Congress worry about people not having health insurance? Or the budget? Let's talk about all the children who don't have homes.'

He said U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is leading a charge to extend Terri Schiavo's life, is a 'little slithering snake' pandering for votes.

'To make comments that Terri would want to live, how do they know?' Schiavo said of the members of Congress who want to keep his wife alive.

'Have they ever met her?' Schiavo said. 'What color are her eyes? What's her middle name? What's her favorite color? They don't have any clue who Terri is. They should all be ashamed of themselves.'

Schiavo said he was going to stay at his wife's side through the entire ordeal and said he wouldn't back down in his fight to have her wishes carried out.

'Terri died 15 years ago,' Schiavo said, referring to the collapse and cardiac arrest that doctors say virtually destroyed her brain. 'It's time for her to be with the Lord like she wanted to be."