CLINTON DISAPPOINTMENT: LEFT OFF FUNERAL SPEAKERS LIST (Updated)

Drudge Report | 6/8/04

[lainie]

Controversy develops over Reagan funeral speakers...

'President Clinton really held out all hope the funeral would be a nonpartisan event, like Nixon's was,' a top Clinton source said on Tuesday morning. 'He's angry and disappointed neither he nor President Carter have been asked to speak, as of yet'...

---

UPDATED:

---

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE JUNE 08, 2004 11:02:52 ET XXXXX

CLINTON DISAPPOINTMENT: LEFT OFF FUNERAL SPEAKERS LIST

Former President Bill Clinton has privately expressed anger he has apparently been left off the speakers list of Friday's Reagan State Funeral, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

"President Clinton really held out all hope the funeral would be a nonpartisan event, like Nixon's was," a top Clinton source said on Tuesday morning. "He's angry and disappointed neither he nor President Carter have been asked to speak, as of yet."

The top source says Clinton has been critical that both Bush presidents will address the crowd gathered at National Cathedral.

Nixon's vice president Gerald Ford did not speak at Nixon's funeral.

Clinton's inner circle is convinced Nancy Reagan has personally shut out Clinton from any high-profile participation.

"It is a state funeral, using tax dollars," the top Clinton insider explained.

Former President George H.W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will join President Bush in eulogizing Ronald Reagan, Reagan's office announced. Presiding over the service will be former Sen. John Danforth of Missouri, who is an ordained Episcopal priest. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the Rabbi Harold Kusher will give readings, while Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will sing.

The eulogy is being prepared by President Bush's chief speechwriter, Michael Gerson, who also wrote the president's moving speech for a memorial service in the same cathedral after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Developing...

[Fenris6]

"It's the Impeachment, Stupid"

Clinton, you are a disgrace. Get used to the concept, cause History is only going to make it worse for you.

[Seeking the truth]

That was one of the balls you hit over the fence in SC, right?

It probably was. As I remember it, a number of mine went slightly out of bounds!

Darlie & I were hoping to run into you at the RPOT convention in San Antonio :(

[bannie]

Somehow, I don't think ol' billyblythe-clinton reeeeeally cares that Carter wasnt' invited to speak, either.

[ModelBreaker]

Neil Cavuto just showed Kerry at President Reagan's casket. The line going by it was stopped, and the people who had waited for hours were silent. So he DID cut in the line in front of "the little people".

Had Kerry had stood in line like a regular citizen, he would have gotten tons of great publicity and would spent 5-10 hours meeting a lot of his fellow citizens. He would have earned some votes and maybe learned something.

[bvw]

Yes, the candidate who showed that kind of humility and willingness to be a part of the people would win the election.

Hands down landslide. Just like Mr. Reagan.

But John Kerry? Not him, not in him at all. He's a better man. Beter than all who waited, who spend the full waking hours of a day in that line, in order to show respect to a fellow. A fellow who recrafted his life to better his nation, selflessly.