Why does President Obama spend so much time with the Bushes?

[magical thyme]

I don't remember Ford visiting Carter much, if ever. Or Carter visiting Reagan. Or Reagan visiting Poppy.

Does it just seem that way because of the internet, with pix popping up in a political forum?

Is it 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer?' In which case, which are they?

Seriously. I remember an awful picture shortly after the election. Maybe after the inauguration? Of Poppy and W standing shoulder to shoulder right behind Obama, maybe even with a hand on his shoulder. It looked like they could have had a gun stuck in his back or something, by their faces and his.

It seriously is creeping me out.

[Luminous Animal]

1. The Clintons love then, too.

[izquierdista]

13. The obvious conclusion to draw...

is that the Clintons and Obama have more in common with the Bushies than they have with the 99%. Maybe they didn't before they were elected to office, but that's ancient history.

[CJCRANE]

2. Do you have a recent example?

I haven't seen anything like that.

[magical thyme]

8. it's in GD and LBN this morning

look through the more recent threads...

[CJCRANE]

12. Thanks, I see what you mean now. nt

[madokie]

3. I personally think this visit has something to do with the investigations President O has initiated

The Carlyle group is in these cross hairs too. Poppy is worried. In the photo thats floating around here its obvious that poppy is worried sick and Obama is standing firm against the two, jebbie and poppy

[malaise]

4. Good spot

I think you're right.

[joshcryer]

5. Interesting observation.

I disagree, for the most part (think it was merely Obama being nice), but it'd be hilarious if that was the case.

[magical thyme]

10. I hope you're right

I'm so sick and tired of immunity and rewards for the 1% war criminals, I truly hope and pray you are right.

[monmouth]

27. How about they were both in town, all three of them will be going to the same event, and the Bush's

do like President Obama. Making too much of this IMO...

[madokie]

28. I'm not sure a spawn of babs

or the guy who would marry her can like anyone else besides the family. Obama is not family either, wrong color for them boys. I think they're there for a reason and I think the turn that Obama has taken and their illegalities are at play here, otherwise they wouldn't be caught live with a black man. One thats not doing their yard work that is.
This is the bfee we're talking about and they don't do pleasantries. IMHO

[tritsofme]

42. Really? Is this a serious comment?

Sarcasm is hard to judge over the internets.

[jwirr]

43. Best explanation so far.

[MrScorpio]

6. Without them, we wouldn't have Obama

I'm sure that the Bushies are reminded of that fact every time the see President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.

Besides, president/ex-president is the world's most exclusive club. Membership has its perks.

[Lawlbringer]

7. Ridiculous answers

from Alex Jones and the Paulettes in 5...4...3....2...

[Skinner]

9. I think the difference is that you remember the Obama Administration better,

because it is happening right now.

[emulatorloo]

15. +1

[jdadd]

11. keep your friends close but enemies closer

[GusFring]

14. I don't see the issue with him, but why is Jeb always there?

[emulatorloo]

16. Apparently Poppy likes to drag him along.

[bahrbearian]

17. Because they couldn't get Cheney

[T S Justly]

22. Lol. Or, Reagan ...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2011-01-23-ronald-reagan-president-obama_N.htm

[Vanje]

31. Jeb is being polished.

The GHW Bushes have ALWAYS wanted Jeb in the Whitehouse.
George HW is pimpin Jeb.

[T S Justly]

39. Certainly he is being polished. But, why is O helping, I think is the core question in the OP. (nt)

[jwirr]

44. Many of us who are older and maybe in a wheelchair want some family with us when we go out.

Yes, you can hire someone but family is always better.

[Life Long Dem]

18. The Bush's are in DC for a dinner tonight.

They asked Obama if they can drop by. So the President should have told them no?

[JackRiddler]

19. Yes. He should have told them no.

[Life Long Dem]

24. That would go really good.

I can see the front page headlines now. Obama refuses visit from ex president!

[JackRiddler]

32. "Front page headlines" are the only reason to do anything, right?

War criminals like the elder Bush should be in prison, not doing tea time in front of the cameras as if they were anything other than monsters.

What in the world has Ahmedinejad done that's been worse for more people than Bush? Imagine the howling over a meeting with him.

[Life Long Dem]

37. You don't think Obama can throw the Bush's in prison after having a tea and a smile with them?

I think he can be polite and throw any criminal in jail at the same time. Some can't walk and chew gum at the same time but I don't believe this applies to Obama.

[MineralMan]

21. And how much time has President Obama

spent with the Bushes, do you think? What is "so much time?" You can be as specific as you want to be. I'll wait.

[magical thyme]

46. why so defensive?

I simply don't remember seeing frequent -- or any -- pix of Ford with Carter, Carter with Reagan, etc.

I specifically stated that I didn't know if it just *seemed* that way (maybe due to more pictures floating around due the internet).

I don't know how much time Obama has spent with them. Personally, I find them creepy so I can't imagine why anybody would want them hanging around. And I personally tend to avoid criminals when possible. But that's just me, I guess. I realize I'm kind of an oddball that way.

So to me, even one visit beyond anything required by protocol would be one to many because I find them such obnoxious, hateful people. I've certainly always been able to come up with excuses to turn down off the cuff visits by assholes. You know, like, "Sorry, tight schedule what with the upcoming budget battle and all. Heh!heh!"

I can't stomach the thought of Jeb in the whitehouse. I couldn't stand Poppy, I can't stand Babs, I couldn't stand W. Please god let there not be another one.

[MineralMan]

51. Not defensive. I'm just asking you why you think Obama

has spent a lot of time with the Bushes? I don't believe he has at all. A courtesy visit with a former president when one is in town is not at all unusual.

Look downthread. I posted a photo of all four of the Presidents you mentioned together in the White House. It happens from time to time. Former Presidents are a very small, very exclusive group. It's no wonder that they identify with each other. And here's one of Carter and Ford laughing together:

[onenote]

53. If you don't know how much time Obama has spent with the Bushes

why did you ask "Why does Obama spend so much time" with them? You can see why people would read that as an indication that you have some idea of the amount of time Obama spends with them.

So, how often has Obama met with one or more of the Bush ex-presidents? I recall a meeting with both Bushes, Clinton and Carter at Bush's invitation during the pre-inauguration period and one with Clinton and Bush Sr. in 2010 to discuss Haiti relief. And there's the most recent one. While I understand that you don't remember meetings that might have occurred during previous administrations, can you remind me of the other meetings that have occurred during Obama's administration that caused you to make the statement you made?

[JoePhilly]

23. The complaining about this is just more manufactured outrage.

Sitting Presidents have always met with former Presidents.

If anything, this shows that Obama has more grace and class then most of those who now vilify him on a daily basis.

Its really a non-event. But some will now get all upset about it. Plays into the "Obama bad" narrative.

[magical thyme]

48. what outrage?

simple question. I just don't remember seeing articles and pix of presidents meeting ex presidents in the past. I even said it may be due to the internet (more communication).

[JoePhilly]

49. Look through this thread, and the others on this topic ... you'll find it.

Some seem very concerned about this meeting, even suggesting nefarious purposes.

[GoldenOldie]

25. As the old Chinese general Sun-tzu said.....

"If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles....." which in turn translates into the old Chinese proverb we have all heard, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

I would like to think Obama knows who General Sun-tzu was and heeding his warnings.

[JackRiddler]

33. You would like to think...

except there is no reason in the world to think this.

[MineralMan]

26. Here are four Presidents in the White House:

It's not at all uncommon for former Presidents to visit a current President. A request for a visit is almost always honored by the sitting President. It's a very small group of people who have been President and are alive at the same time. You can find photos of almost any sitting President with a former President. If a former President requests a visit, it is almost always granted. It's the office, not the person.

[boxman15]

29. It's mainly just Obama being courteous and welcoming.

Obama is a genuinely nice human being, so welcoming an obviously frail former president to the White House while he is in town is just something he felt he needed to do.

I've read a lot about presidential history, and most presidents, especially in the modern era, are empathetic to other presidents, regardless of ideology. It's a tough job and an elite "club". They have immense respect for each other and always visit each other at the White House or wherever. It has very little to do with politics.

It also shows Obama isn't the petty, overly partisan hack that many here wishes he were. He is not the left's Newt Gingrich. He sees the good in everyone, even if he disagrees. It's really a very old school thing to do. You disagree on the job, but you are respectful and friendly outside of it.

There's nothing sinister going on here. Enough with this guilt by association crap.

[Beacool]

30. I'm not surprised by these presidential visits.

Last edited Sat Jan 28, 2012, 02:12 PM - Edit history (1)

It's probably just a courtesy call.

Bill Clinton became friends with Bush Sr. when Bush Jr. tapped them to help raise funds for the tsunami victims. Laura and Hillary are on friendly terms due to their interest in women's issues.

Once presidents leave the WH they become members of the most exclusive club in the country. It's not strange for a sitting president to call his predecessors on certain issues.

[frazzled]

34. "So much time"?

Maybe two or three 20-minute visits in 3 years with various Bushes? Is that a lot of time? Your post headline would suggest he's meeting with them weekly for big powwows. If there's one thing I dislike it's hyperbole.

[JackRiddler]

36. How much time would be okay with convicted serial killers?

I guess the unconvicted ones are worthy guests.

[frazzled]

38. Okay, up the hyperbole a notch, and pour another drink.

Former presidents get to visit the White House. Pure and simple. GHW Bush has not yet been convicted of serial murder.

Plus, plenty of righteous people have spent time with convicted serial killers: Truman Capote for one, and everybody loved it.

[n2doc]

35. Probably so that the Bushies can remind Obama of the "Gentleman's agreement" they have

"Hey Barack, remember, no investigations into those torture or war crimes thingies, right? We'll make sure Jeb doesn't investigate you in 2016 when he has his turn at the wheel. Har Har!"

[Politicub]

40. Because our President is an honest and honorable man?

He doesn't make it a secret that he will listen to opposing viewpoints. He said this. Just because he hears someone out doesn't mean that he will push their policy recommendations.

I appreciate that President Obama is intellectually curious. He could be getting insight into the right's line of attack for the general election.

I haven't seem a headline like this in a while, but I don't recall him spending a lot of time with the Bushes as the OP suggests.

And as despicable I think the Bush's are, I don't believe he should snub an ex-president.

[Bluenorthwest]

41. Perceptions are interesting. You ask why the Reagans did not come to see Poppy?

They hated them. The Reagans did not ask them to the residential wing while they were all in office. The Reagans did not care for them at all. Many cold shoulders in that set up. Many.
It pleases me that this President is not as petty as Ron. Sorry, it just does. HW is an old, old man. It is ok to treat old people with kindness, wicked ones included.

[magical thyme]

47. In what way is it "petty"

to avoid unnecessary meetings with criminals?

Not buying it. The fact is that sitting presidents don't automatically have to entertain former presidents. They choose to ignore, or choose to associate with.

Personally, I can't imagine choosing to spend an extra minute of my time with a boorish asshole, never mind a criminal boorish asshole.

And when a sitting President does choose to entertain a criminal boorish asshole former president and his ambitious wannabe president spawn, it arouses my curiosity.

[Angry Dragon]

45. Why didn't he bring junior??

[whatchamacallit]

50. Continuity maintenance.

[magical thyme]

52. Hmmm....here is my cynical take on it

First, I have modified my initial question from "why the visit" to add "why the need to bring in the official photographer and release a pic of the visit."

Answer: To help counter the GOP claims that Obama is the cause of the great divide.

I feel better now. I think it is a reasonable pair of questions and a reasonable answer.