Posted on 06/08/2004 8:54:12 AM PDT by lainie
Edited on 06/08/2004 11:18:28 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
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'...
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...
Maybe Nancy remembers Clinton's trashing of the Reagan years as a "decade of greed".
Or bush one who was his VP
To say that the Sinkmaster and the Peanut, both well known mad dog Reagan haters, should be there or that they should be invited to speak "because", etc, is to say that such hypocrisy is perfectly kosher. No, the haters should all be formally disinvited with past quotes from them publicized for all the world to see!
No way should this piece of human debris(clinton) get up and talk about a decent President. Jimmy Carter should not be allowed in the same church. 10 Years ago it was very different,the Rats are out of power and will do anything to get a dig in,or try to make themselves look better thinking that we will not remember the lies,hatred, and condemnation of anything Republican especially Ronald Reagan. Clinton sounds like Newt Gingrich at the back of the Clinton Airforce one,instead of the front. Crybabies are always a turnoff.
How perfect.
Of course he was left out.
To think....there's SOMEthing that actually "gets" to that vile excuse for a man.
Maybe Nancy Reagan has taken a cue from the late Joe DiMaggio, who so utterly despised Bill Clinton that he refused to even appear in a photograph with him.
A political boost for his book and his wife. Wonder if they'll be able to behave decently at the funeral?
Oh thank you for this little touch of humor. I needed it this this morning. What has started out as a tragic day in the C4E household in an already sad week has left me cried out. Thanks for the humor. God knows I needed it.
Red
I'm sure the Reagan family had a note somewhere that rapists were not to speak at the funeral. Sorry, Bill...
I was just saying 1) Nixon's wasn't a state funeral and 2) the family does have a say
That woman has just plain ROCKED through this whole thing. Incredible grace. Incredible courage.
CLinton, as SITTING President was the only one to speak.
Carter, Ford, Reagan , and H.W. Bush all attended and did not speak. Ford was Nixon's VP and even at that he did not Speak.
Precedence is such then that ONLY the sitting President speaks -- CLINTON/CARTER SHUT THE KERRY UP!!!!!
You should have hear Reid and Dashole praising President Reagan on the Senate Floor a little while ago
This coming from the same people who couldn't even lower the flag when Reagan passed
I dont think it will be a wellstone event, politics will not be mentioned no 'bush will win'. I hope they will speak of his principles maybe Bush can learn a thing or two..
And so, on behalf of all four former Presidents who are here - President Ford, President Carter, President Reagan, President Bush - and on behalf of a grateful nation, we bid farewell to Richard Milhous Nixon.
Once again, Clinton is trying to change tradition, not follow it.
Why should no "other politicians" be allowed to speak? After so many years in politics, some of the closest family friends probably fall into this category. I think protocol suggests the sitting President should speak, regardless of party affiliation, but other than that, it is up to the family.
I doubt Nancy Reagan will relent. Ask Regan, ask Ollie North.....
Just damn!
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