Presidents: Bubba and Dubya—Warming Up -Newsweek

[Rose Siding]

Jan. 17 issue - Four years ago George W. Bush used to call him "the shadow" and promised a fresh start by pledging to "uphold the honor and dignity" of the presidency. He even joked to late-night TV's David Letterman that one of his top 10 priorities in the White House would be to give the Oval Office "one heck of a scrubbing."

But when President Bush welcomed Bill Clinton into that same office last week, those barbs were ancient history. After Clinton remarked how much he liked the new Oval Office rug, Bush encouraged him to praise his interior designer—Laura. (He did.) Over lunch with the president's father, the compliments flowed the other way. When Bush 41 inquired whether Chelsea Clinton had marriage plans, Bush 43 declared how impressed he was with the former president's daughter.

For two men at opposite ends of the political spectrum, the relationship between the 43rd and 42nd presidents has grown surprisingly warm and personal over the last six months. Clinton endorsed Bush's approach to the tsunami catastrophe, defending him against criticism about his initial response as well as raising cash alongside the president's father. Friends and aides say the two men enjoy each other's company and, as fellow pros, respect each other's political talents.

The rapid thaw started with the unveiling of Clinton's official portrait in the White House in June, when Bush told his speechwriters he wanted to deliver something "very praiseworthy, warm, funny and short." During Clinton's recent health crisis, Bush called twice to share what one of the former president's aides called "good, funny conversations." And in November, at the opening of Clinton's presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., both the president and his father delivered praise that Clinton reveled in. Clinton even pulled aside Karl Rove, the architect of Bush's election success, to congratulate him......More.....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6803476/site/newsweek/

[baba]

1. Oh Bill...how could you?

I feel betrayed.

:-(

[Demeter]

25. Furthermore, Bill, Why Would You?

Is principle something to be forever ignored?

[cruadin]

2. What is going on here? Does Clinton have something to gain...

by this? Is this story even accurate?
How does it help this party for Clinton to be defending shrub?

[punpirate]

4. It does seem...

... distinctly at odds with the reports of the opening of the Clinton library, at least as recorded by, I believe, Sid Blumenthal.

[cruadin]

5. Yeah---this story seems a total disconnect from what...

we KNOW about the antipathy these two have toward each other.
Why is this story being run?
I mean, whose interest is being served here?
It just doesn't make sense to me.

[pacalo]

7. Let's not forget the Enquirer-esque Newsweek article about Kerry.

I'm getting very angry about this country's corporate media. It's sickening.

[saracat]

14. I think it is accurate. Bill has been well known for hid friendship with

41 and now it seems he likes Dubya. He has been constantly praising Dubya to an unwarranted degree way beyond the bounds of protocol.And before everyone gives me that ex presidents don't criticize the current CIC ,Carter has pointed out that Bush is the worst president in history and didn't lose any credibility or class.He also has manged to appear with Shrub and is civil without kissing his ass. That is why he wasn't asked to participate in the Tsunami Relief Effort. Imagine, Carter , the great humanitarian, being dissed!
Clinton lost me when shortly after the election,he told us to"Stop whining.Bush won"! And now saying Bush won"fair and square?" and when asked if the most expensive Inaugaral in history is appropriate,he replies Bush can celebrate anyway he wants because he "deserves it"?
What is wrong with the man?
Sometimes they say heart surgery can alter the personality.I find myself wondering if this is the case.Ormaybe he is merely angling for the UN post. If so, he is doing it at our expense!

[medeak]

3. total BS

remember at Clinton Library Bush looked at river and said "I could take this place out with a submarine"

There's no love lost between them. Being polite in public means the hate is thawing? Did they pay off this journalist as well?

Me thinks Hillary's financial dude being indicted this week and her statements re Ohio election fraud means this article is crap.

[NashVegas]

15. Yep. It's Protocol

WTF do people think they're going to say to each other, in a room full of aides and press?

It's ritual. Playing the game according to the rules of society. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Divine Discontent]

17. I believe the title of the document

was "bin laden determined to attack within the united states"?


it's the library he's after!


Seriously though, my brother says the quote is incorrect, he said the library, being near the river, wasn't too secure and SOMEONE could take it out with a sub...

here's the story:



DUBYA INCIDENTS

Some Dubya incidents are truly worth special notice. This section of the site features those incidents. If you know of any other confirmed Dubya escapades worthy of inclusion here, please email DubyaSpeak.

(from www.dubyaspeak.com)

DUBYA'S THE BOSS, EVEN AT CLINTON'S LIBRARY
(Adapted from article on guardian.co.uk)

Dubya is always Dubya, wherever he goes. So it should come as no surprise that despite the dictates of common sense, and of common courtesy, Dubya's appearance at the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center in Arkansas had its moments. One of the more noteworthy moments occurred when the presidents were announced. Bush tried to push his way past Clinton at the library door to be first in line (see photo), against the already accepted protocol for the event, as though the walk to the platform was a contest for alpha male. In addition, Dubya offered some choice quips over the course of the day including this exchange made to a tour guide as they looked onto the Arkansas River:

TOUR GUIDE: Usually, you might see some bass fishermen out there.
DUBYA: A submarine could take this place out.

At the private luncheon afterwards, in a heated tent pitched behind the library, Shimon Peres delivered a heartfelt toast to Clinton's perseverance in pursuing the Middle East peace process. Upon entering the tent, Dubya, according to an eyewitness, told an aide: "One gulp and we're out of here." He had informed the Clintons he would stay through the lunch, but by the time Peres arose with wine glass in hand Dubya was gone.

[medeak]

20. LOL

here's the Salon link for Sid Blumenthal's take on Bush et al at library opening..

http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2004/11/25/clinton_library/index_np.html

[GiovanniC]

6. I Love This Story

If for no other reason than it really, really pisses off the Freepers.

[Rose Siding]

8. That's the upside, alright

[GOPFighter]

9. Don't you remember how Clinton destroyed Gingrich?

Clinton cozied up to Newt, charmed him, played up to him, and then lowered the boom when the Republicans closed down the government. Newt was furious and complained loudly, but no one cared.

Don't mess with Bill, Georgie. Bill's Major League while you're Double-A at best.

[msanthrope]

10. You called it. I'm just gonna sit back and smile.....n/t

[Rose Siding]

11. Gingrich used to go back to the Hill and say...

"but you've never been alone in a room with him" after he'd caved on something and the party was irate. Or so I've read.

[Massachusetts]

12. Wow

Fear and Hope in the same room.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

13. Keep your friends close... n/t

[roguevalley]

16. They're trying to co-opt Clinton's goodwill among the people.

[fbahrami]

18. read Howard Zinn's chapter on Clinton ...

... to remember that all these guys are part of the ruling *elite*, and have interests quite separate from the regular working Joe/Jane.

Good morning!

Zinn - "A People History of the U.S"

[ramapo]

23. Exactly

It's a very exclusive club; Presidents, Senators, even some of the House members. They're not like us, no matter that they came from a poor family. They especially don't really care about us. It is all about power and money, money and power.

[Voltaire99]

19. Yawn. Clinton has long kissed right wing ass.

Welfare "reform" being perhaps the nadir of his third-way politics, which requires a set of always-puckered lips.

Not that he has fully capitulated. But since his gelding at their hands, he has been awfully dainty in his criticism. This is his self-chosen place in post-presidential history: nice guy, not opponent; pacifier, not critic. The man instinctively puts his own comfort ahead of the good of the party and the nation, but then that could have been inferred, couldn't it, from his taste in cigars. ;-)

[Rob H.]

21. I'd like to be a fly on the wall when they're behind closed doors

Just to hear Clinton say something like, "Thanks for fucking up all my hard work, dumbass."

Hey, I can dream, can't I? ;)

[Old Mouse]

22. Big Dawg is scared

Kerry too.

[Gloria]

24. Meanwhile, Poppy still brings up how Clinton beat him in '92--

he won't let it go. He did it at the Library and during the Larry King show about the relief efforts.

The Bushes don't forgive and forget and neither should Clinton. Just a week earlier, the Bush team was dissing Clinton for his "feel your pain" style.

The Bushes will use Clinton to enhance THEIR images as "compassionate conservatives"...meanwhile, they will continue screwing the world.

Clinton's brain must be affected by that heart surgery. I heard it can takes months for someone to fully recover and there are some cognitive problems associated with the surger he had...

[Renew Deal]

26. Oh shit. The freepers are going to turn on Bush.

First Mel Gibson, now Bush. lol

[egoprofit]

27. i think it's important

for them to have an active friendship. maybe clinton can talk some sense into bush.

[Vidar]

28. Clinton is a superb politician, but his desire to be liked by all

often turns into a personal weakness.

[Solly Mack]

29. I don't care who Clinton talks to or what his motives may or may not be

I don't like Bush;any Bush. Period. Never have. Never will. There has been nothing to praise Bush over and I'll not pretend there has been,for any reason.