The Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Now the Bushes

The Washington Post ^ | 1/17/2005 | John F Harris

[Utah Girl]

Amid the celebration and crowds of Inauguration Day came a surprisingly intimate moment between father and son. As John F. Kennedy's parade passed the reviewing stand where Joseph P. Kennedy was watching, the new president looked up and tipped his hat -- a gesture of affection and gratitude to the patriarch who had dreamed for years of putting a son in the White House.

Forty-four years later, as President Bush prepares to launch his second term, it might be the father who should tip his hat to the son.

One of the 43rd president's achievements in winning reelection, according to Bush family friends and historians, is to ease the sting of the 41st president's failure to do so a dozen years earlier. The president's victory also establishes firmly a fact that earlier was open to dispute: The Bushes now belong in the top tier of political families in U.S. history.

There may not be a distinctive "Bush style" that other politicians try to mimic, as they did with JFK's appearance and wit. The family has yet to capture the romantic fancy of fiction writers and Hollywood producers. The incumbent is launching a second term, according to polls, with nearly as many Americans scornful of his presidency as supportive of it. No matter.

[Utah Girl]

Generations of the Bush clan gathered at a Jan. 6 White House celebration for the 60th wedding anniversary of George H.W. and Barbara Bush. Seated, from left, are Marvin Bush, Laura Bush, President Bush, Barbara Bush, former president Bush and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Standing behind them are Georgia Grace Koch, Margaret Bush, Walker Bush, Jenna Bush, Doro Koch, Barbara Bush, Robert P. Koch, Pierce M. Bush, Maria Bush, Neil Bush, Ashley Bush, Sam LeBlond, Robert Koch, Nancy Ellis LeBlond, John Ellis Bush Jr., Mandi Bush, George P. Bush and Columba Bush.

[Utah Girl]

Hehehehe. I can hear faints sounds and screams of 'Nooooo' in the background of this article. The MSM will never get the Bushes and I do believe the Bushes really don't care.

[Howlin]

Hahaha....he's got on those boots!

[Clemenza]

Was Noelia in rehab when this photo was taken? I don't see her. I've got Dibs on Maria and the younger Barbara!

[Mike Darancette]

More like the Adams and the Bushes.

[lawgirl]

LOL! Exactly the first thing I noticed. The boots rock.

[weps4ret]

How much better can it be? "W" wearing cowboy boots with a tux. It is gonna drive the DemonRats crazy. Ya gotta just love it.

[Verginius Rufus]

Only four families have produced two Presidents--Adams, Harrison, Roosevelt, and Bush. It wasn't enough for two Bushes to be elected, but one of them had to win re-election for them to get into the "top tier"?

Not many fathers of Presidents were still alive when their sons became President. John Adams was still alive when John Quincy Adams became President, but did not attend his inaugural. The only re-elected President whose father was still alive when he began his second term, before now, was Grant. (Well, Clinton is another possibility, depending on who his father was.)

[Salvation]

Tux and boots!

[Choose Ye This Day]

LOVE the photo. You're right: I think Dubya delights in the MSM's catatonic sputtering and disbelief at W's successes.

Long time, UG. How've you been?

[PetroniusMaximus]

***The family has yet to capture the romantic fancy of fiction writers and Hollywood producers.***


Ain't gonna happen.

[Swede Girl]

Thanks for posting this. What a great family. Like all families, there are a few problems sprinkled in, but for the most part, the Bush family has set an example for all of us. This is exactly what we needed after the dysfunctional Clinton years.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

"There may not be a distinctive 'Bush style' that other politicians try to mimic..."

That's because you can't imitate class.

[paudio]

***The family has yet to capture the romantic fancy of fiction writers and Hollywood producers.***

Ain't gonna happen.

They may do it one day. Only to show how "wacky" and "intolerant" this family actually is... perhaps focus on the divorce and the drinking issues some of them had...

[Utah Girl]

The boots rock! I just noticed them after I posted the article. He is such a Texan.

[pacpam]

And just why is the name Kennedy part of John Harris' article?

[Utah Girl]

Because of the Kennedy 'dynasty'. One president (assassinated), one senator (assassinated), one senator (negligent in a drowning incident). Assorted lawyers, congressmen, a governor, and louts. That's the Kennedy dynasty. The media is besotted with them.

Oh, I forgot John F Kennedy JR and his dead wife. Killed in an airplane crash, piloted by him. I think the Kennedy family's best hope went down in that plane.

[jonsie]

Make that two governors!

[M-cubed]

Boots?????...Oh Jeez! ...and the ass kickers too!