I tend to think Bush had to treat the Clintons graciously today. But IF you think Clinton was a brutal rapist (and I do) to cite just one example, then it can be viewed as moral cowardice to treat him with respect. I happen to think Clinton did a long list of things which disqualify him from decent public treatment, but most Republicans are too "clever" to call a degenerate a degenerate.
I think he was being a little facetious and it got by a few listeners. It's his humor. I like it.
Sometimes things are done for the respect of the office and not the man (Clinton) sitting in the office.
I loved the story of Reagan always wearing a coat and tie in the oval office. Then compare it to what Clinton did in the oval office.