Laura explains Bush 'silence' Defends Cheney

Politico ^ | 6/08.09 | By CAROL E. LEE

[meandog]

Former first lady Laura Bush said while her husband, George W. Bush, does not think it’s appropriate for a former president to criticize his successor, she understands why former Vice President Dick Cheney has.

“That’s his right as a citizen of the U.S., and I think he also feels obligated and so I understand why he wants to speak out,” Bush said in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “On the other hand George feels like as a former president that he owes President Obama his silence on issues and that there’s no reason to second guess any decisions he makes.”

The former first lady also approves of Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, saying “she sounds like a very interesting and good nominee.”

“As a woman I’m proud that there might be another woman on the court,” Bush said. “So we’ll see what happens, but I wish her well.”

Asked about the infighting within the Republican Party, Bush said while she and former President Bush “talk about it a lot,” it’s “probably not that bad.”

“I think it’s just a very typical political cycle,” she said of the GOP’s shrinking status. “It’s like creative tension within a party for people to talk about what it is they – how they want to be represented

[meandog]

George Herbert Walker Bush and George W. Bush: Echoing the likes of Charles I of England, Louis XVI of France, and Nicholas II of Russia (all good Christian men who ushered in the most radical regimes in history)

[jessduntno]

Former first lady Laura Bush said while her husband, George W. Bush, does not think it’s appropriate for a former president to criticize his successor, she understands why former Vice President Dick Cheney has.

[DManA]

I think he also feels obligated and so I understand why he wants to speak out, He feels obliged because he is being personally attacked and threatened with jail.

[jennyjenny]

I absolutely love that picture.

[rbmillerjr]

W didn’t talk or defend the War on Terror during his Administration. Why would he talk about anything now?

I do appreciate his swift response to the attacks on 911. But his followup was a PR failure of epic proportion and largely why we have an imbecile like Obama as our current President.

[meandog]

He feels obliged because he is being personally attacked and threatened with jail.

Didn't know this...true?

[Puppage]

“she sounds like a very interesting and good nominee.”

For the life of me, I cannot understand why people base decisions on feelings and not facts.

[utahagen]

I don't think Cheney is rattled by attacks on him or threats of jail. I think Cheney is concerned about the survival of our country.

I think Cheney and GWB are playing good cop/bad cop and I think it's an effective strategy. The quieter GWB is, the more petulant and irrelevant Obama’s grips about the troubles he's “inherited” look.

[CAluvdubya]

You know, there's a lot I disagree with Bush's about but I'd give my eye teeth for them to be back in the WH instead of BO and MO!

At least I knew they liked our country and worked to keep us safe. Besides, he was smart enough to pick Cheney to help him!

[GOPsterinMA]

I conclude from this that Mrs. Bush is a left of center, moderate, country club variety Republican, who is a fan of AA, be damned or not.

Oh goody!

Cheney/Palin
Sanford/DeMint
Poe/Bolton

or any combo of the above in 2012.

[Piquaboy]

It is all right for that POS who is now president to blame everything on Bush though.

[AlanGreenSpam]

...”Approves of Sotomayor”

I think your title is misleading. Laura Bush isn’t necessarily approving/endorsing Soto... She’s using kind words, but stopping short of endorsing.

[frogjerk]

The former first lady also approves of Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, saying “she sounds like a very interesting and good nominee.” “As a woman I’m proud that there might be another woman on the court,” Bush said. “So we’ll see what happens, but I wish her well.”

They, putting words in Laura's mouth. The woman is just being cordial and nothing more.

[benjamin032]

What a classy, intelligent woman. This is what a first lady should be like.

[DManA]

Well yea. Where have you been?

eg:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/02/is_cheney_next.html

[jessduntno]

“What a classy, intelligent woman. This is what a first lady should be like.”

Yep.

[frogjerk]

Laura, go away. Just ... go away. And take that mentally challenged sorry excuse for a tyrant with you.

You belong @ DU for that lunatic moment you just had.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

Class always shows.

[meandog]

I do appreciate his swift response to the attacks on 911. But his followup was a PR failure of epic proportion and largely why we have an imbecile like Obama as our current President.

Concur! Though I voted for both GWB and GWHB (TWICE) I wish that hadn't and they'd never held office because I believe, had either Dukakis or Gore won, the country would now be in the hands of true conservatives for at least a half century. I see both Bushes as weak and pathetic figures of history; just like Charles I, Louis XVI and Nicholas II--all succeeded by radical regimes!

[brewcrew]

No kidding. Hasn’t anybody in the press ever heard a Southern Lady say, “Isn’t that nice?”

[Gorzaloon]

I absolutely love that picture.

Yes...Cheney is looking at The One™ as if he were one reason people dig up drains.

And he's right.

[DManA]

I agree with you on that. I just find it appalling that his enemies who would love to see him in jail criticize him for defending himself and his actions.

[mel]

Cheney’s glare is absolutely priceless

[mel]

Perhaps you are right, let Bush not say a word that way people forget about him and will tend to place the blame where it belongs with Zero. The more Bush says the more it keeps him a hot topic.

[mel]

Well, you are right also. Bush’s lack of communication was atrocious.

[Larry381]

George W. Bush, does not think it’s appropriate for a former president to criticize his successor

It's a shame him and his dad are the only two ex-presidents showing such class. The main thing I despised about George W. Bush was his failure to answer the slanderous attacks and the outright hatred Democrats heaped on him.

[McGruff]

Good answer by Laura, but if it wasn't for Cheney, Bush would be in front of congress at some point in the future. Thank God for Cheney.

[wardaddy]

“As a woman I’m proud that there might be another woman on the court,”

thanks for having really thought that through Laura....geez.

[ohioWfan]

Just curious.

When exactly did YOU save the world from terrorists and protect the country against its enemies with your courage?

(Another internet weenie attacking a real man).

You guys make me laugh every time you attack President Bush.

Especially when you don't even see that the article is not even about our brave President, but about his wife, the classy and elegant and non-political LAURA Bush.

[ohioWfan]

He knows exactly what he's doing, and he knows exactly what his good friend, Dick Cheney is doing.

Anyone who doesn't realize that doesn't know much about the character of the man.

[ohioWfan]

Did you "despise" Reagan too?

(Interesting choice of words regarding a behavior that might best be described as "Christian.")

[Oldpuppymax]

Criticize Obama? It is the absolute obligation of George Bush to EXCORIATE Obama...to expose him as the fascist, wanna-be dictator he is. Bush should be on news programs every moment of every day, speaking to the American public. He should purchase air time if necessary. His silence is a disgrace, both to himself and to his former office.

[huldah1776]

Yes, and the Son of Man they follow was also considered weak.

[elpadre]

I can respect his position in most instances, But when the successor president is dismantling the pillars of our economic system, threatening the American way which has stood us so well for so long, I think it is time to take a leadership role in opposition - both he and his Dad.

[Kenny Bunk]

But his followup was a PR failure of epic proportion and largely why we have an imbecile like Obama as our current President.

THAT KIND OF TALK COULD GET YOUR BICYCLE VANDALIZED! If only Bush could talk. This guy made Calvin Coolidge seem positively loquacious; a real chatterbox.

As a boy, GW noticed that those Presidents on Mt. Rushmore said nothing, perhaps not noticing (A) that they were made of stone, (B) were dead, and (C) were effective communicatores while alive.

Tragedy. A really good man, a good President; and 20-year situation FUBAR as a legacy!

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

I concluded that a long time ago. She’s also gender obsessed.

[ohioWfan]

Thank you for that, huldah1776.

Some perspective on the silence of both Bush President's is appreciated.

I notice that Ronald Reagan, whose behavior post-Presidency was identical, is not included in this little Bush bashing party.

George W. Bush is behaving exactly as a former President SHOULD behave, and others with class HAVE behaved.

Saying anything else is not only silly, but lacking in any form of historical understanding.

[pfflier]

I conclude from this that Mrs. Bush is a left of center, moderate, country club variety Republican

How about gracious, professional and dignified? We all think carter and klintoon are @$$es for not keeping their mouths shut. Why should a former first lady join their grubby little legion?

[elpadre]

““she sounds like a very interesting and good nominee.”

For the life of me, I cannot understand why people base decisions on feelings and not facts.”

based solely on her resume’ and personal story she may well be considered a “good nominee.” but once the rest of the story comes out, not a good selection for the high court.

[riri]

How about gracious, professional and dignified?

It's worked so well for us up to this point.

?

[ohioWfan]

The only wuss here is you, raptor.

But it's obvious that playing a tough guy on the internet is something you enjoy, so play away.

(LOVE the "sycophant," though! LOL! Ignorant of what the word means, ignorant of what supporting a courageous man means, ignorant of respecting character, but you feel really cool saying that big word, don't you?)

Now be a 'man' and call me another name. I haven't argued with a poseur for a long time. It's kind of fun.

George W. Bush is a man of character and courage. Deal with it.

[mad_as_he$$]

Laura, you are a wonderful lady and a great role model. There are no friends in the MSM. It is time to shutup and enjoy retirement.

[DrDeb]

BRAVO!

President Bush’s strategery is working perfectly:

ROVE: BUSH APPRECIATES CHENEY’S “FORTHRIGHT DEFENSE”
Karl Rove told the Politico that former President George W. Bush — who has publicly said he won’t criticize President Obama — privately appreciates the role that former Vice President Dick Cheney has taken on. “I know President Bush and Vice President Cheney talk with regularity,” said Rove. “I know the former president appreciates Dick’s forthright defense of the administration’s polices. And I know Vice President Cheney understands the special role that the former president occupies.”
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/cornyn-not-ruling-out-filibuster-against-sotomayor.php

[ducks1944]

Yes but a good Southern Lady call a lie a lie also. If she believes she right for court then she needs some help. For any one to set by and say this women is good to set on court is betraying women and her Christian back ground.
To set by and let a lie stand is same as agreeing with it.
Just as Bush kept us safe he left our borders wide open and that was his big down fall. And our country will pay BIG TIME for not closing borders, arresting Employers of illegals and etc. Truth plain and simple and yes I voted for both Bushes 2 times each. But never again for a Bush...NO GUTS to be a leader you have stand up and he did not for US worker (Citizens) or close our borders.
Just look at California and 85% of there problems our ILLEGALS ie welfare, healthcare, schools, jobs and on and on. The TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE!

[investigateworld]

W didn’t talk or defend the War on Terror during his Administration. Why would he talk about anything now? I do appreciate his swift response to the attacks on 911. But his followup was a PR failure of epic proportion and largely why we have an imbecile like Obama as our current President.

Totally agree. Perhaps by design?

[brewcrew]

M’kay. This is obviously much more important to you than it is to me, and you seem to have it quite deeply thought out.