George W. Bush explains his fondness for Michelle Obama

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Washington (CNN)Former President George W. Bush and Michelle Obama are surprisingly close considering their political differences, and the 43rd president credits the former first lady's appreciation for his sense of humor as a key reason.

The unlikely pair have often been photographed together during formal events. When Obama embraced Bush at the opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture last September, the photo of their warm interaction went viral.


Former first lady Laura Bush, former President George W. Bush, first lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama attend the opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on September 24, 2016, in Washington.

The former President is back in the public eye to promote his new book, "Portraits of Courage," a volume of his paintings of military veterans.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/02/politics/george-bush-michelle-obama-friends/index.html

President Bush, compared to Donald J. Drumpf , you are a prince.

[yeoman6987]

1. He did a ton wrong

However I appreciate his staying out of things during president obama's terms.

[unblock]

3. so does the entire republican party.

the man had become toxic.

[RandiFan1290]

13. Obama had to clean up his mess

Of course he kept his Bourbon hole shut.

Nice try...

[leftofcool]

2. Remember when Hillary shook his hand at Nancy's funeral?

It was a disaster for Democrats.

[TNLib]

4. I've never liked Dubya's policies, politics and he was a huge mess as a President

But these pictures do warm my heart. They're so sweet.

[Blue_Roses]

12. I'm right there with ya...

These are indeed strange times when I feel an affection for Bush, after all we went through with him. Maybe, he's humbled some. It looks good on him.

[Lucinda]

5. KNR

[Bayard]

6. Bush paints?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. He should do one of Drumpf.

[skypilot]

16. He seems to be inspired by Lucien Freud.

[Ilsa]

7. Laura looks better now than she did eight years ago.

She looks healthier, happier.

I think being flotus takes a lot out of them.

[mountain grammy]

8. That was such a fantastic ceremony.

And Bush was instrumental in the building and location of this museum.

I think W was incompetent and an unsuccessful president, but he got this one right, and his immigration reform policies were good, if his idiot party had been on board.
One thing I don't think Bush is, is racist, and I think he's a bit horrified by it all.

[leftstreet]

17. ...

[adigal]

14. Bush was an idiot, Cheney was the war criminal

Bush was a terrible, incompetent president, who let Cheney drag us into war and war crimes. Horrible. But I give him credit for a few things that Trump will never get credit for:

- he wasn't a horrible, terrible, vile human being
- he seems like he was a good husband and father
- he raised good Democratic daughters
- he has some sympathy for immigrants.

and....that's about all I got.

[Catherine Vincent]

15. Maybe she reminds him of Condi Rice? :)