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'...

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UPDATED:

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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...

[Eva]

I disagree, no one should be allowed to honor Reagan in death that did not honor him in life. The hypocrisy is stunning. We don't need to hear a leftist take the stage to damn the great American conservative with faint praise the way Clinton did Nixon. The Clintons hated Nixon.

[Darlin']

"They should be allowed to speak. If you recall, Clinton did a good and respectful job at Nixon's funeral."

He was the current Oval Office occupant at the time of the Nixon funeral, that is the ONLY reason he was asked to speak. There is no reason on earth he should speak at President Reagan's service. Don't forget, this is the formal service President and Mrs Reagan have updated annually since 1981, if he had wanted Clinton's name on the list of speakers it would have been there. Ronald Reagan would not go in the Oval Ofice without a coat and tie. Fat chance he would want someone who had so disgraced that office to speak at his funeral. Clinton and Carter along with their meddlesome. shrewish wives need to be grateful they're invited at all and just kewl it.

[GOPrincess]

I'm still trying to figure out what it being a state funeral using tax dollars has to do with Clinton speaking. Is he saying that the parties have to have equal time because of that? Like it's a political event? The guy is obviously still thinking in terms of the Wellstone Fune-rally...and wants another one.

[Exit148]

Good thing! It would be difficult for the mourners to resist booing and hissing.

[ken5050]

Cheney was the luckiest guy NOT to be invited..

[4everontheRight]

Amen! The WHOLE point should be that Nancy is making this decision and SHE decides who speaks and SHE decided that Carter and Clinton would not. She is the man's widow for God's sake!! She could have Monica Lewinsky speak if she wanted to!! It is up to her and the family and they chose to make it a funeral they could look back on and not regret their decisions. Clintoon is showing his clASS as usual, or lack there of. Carter is a petty, vial weed. No reason for either of them to speak. Why take the chance on something being said that can not be taken back. I would not want my memories of my husband's funeral to be like that.

[cgk]

Updated, maybe you can have this inserted into the article at the top:

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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...

[GOPrincess]

Former Canadian P.M. Brian Mulroney will be a Eulogist as well.

[Phantom Lord]

I wanted to post the article on a federal judge ruling a fetus a citizen and entitled to full constitutional rights to see their reaction. DU has shut down the registration option. No one can join DU right now.

This is a tactic they use often when there is negative news about the RATS or events that lead to them being exposed for the scum they are.

I can not think of a single time that JimRob has turned off the sign up feature on FR.

[GraniteStateConservative]

The current president and the guy who was Reagan's VP for 8 years are speaking? Why, that makes no sense at all?!

[Happy2BMe]

"'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'..."

It just keeps getting better and better - PING!

[mondonico]

Two points: 1. Reagan did not speak at Nixon's funeral. Bush '41 is not speaking as a former prez but as Reagan's VP for eight years.

[cgk]

The Clintonistas are publicly naming NANCY REAGAN as leaving Clinton off the list... they have NO SHAME!

[Mark in the Old South]

He can sit in the front two rows opposite the family in silent reverence.





BawwwwwwwwwwwwwwHHaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[cyncooper]

Honestly.... I am not putting too much into this report from Drudge.

Most here concede their presence is expected. The issue at hand is the *speaking* at the event, and I fully believe neither is invited to do so, nor will this attempt to strong-arm a featured role in the funeral be catered to.

[randog]

I think that Ronnie would even be disappointed if the looney left didn't show up and remind us all why he won in landslides.

Good point. Millions of Americans will be watching (I'm taking the day off) and the antics of the left on such a solemn occassion will only serve to hurt them.

[Mark in the Old South]

He can sit in the front two rows opposite the family in silent reverence.





BawwwwwwwwwwwwwwHHaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Mark in the Old South]

He can sit in the front two rows opposite the family in silent reverence.





BawwwwwwwwwwwwwwHHaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[scott7278]

"One common thought among them was that since the state funeral is tax supported it's unfair that Clinton can't speak."

Like a child looking desperately for a loophole. Except for wars conducted by Republican presidents and funerals for Republican presidents, since when has a liberal ever been concerned with the taxpayer's money?

Answer: Only when it benefits them.

[dittomom]

Exactly. I have heard of that abomination called CAMPAIGN finance reform, but I don't recall any clause in there about funerals...