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...
"Cave into our demands or we'll throw a temper tantrum and ruin it for everyone." Typical leftists. Any bets on whether the usual suspect use Reagan's funeral as a backdrop to "protest" whatever/whomever they hate this week?
Of course they think it's political (or "partisan" as they like to say) when really it's just good taste.
Isn't it Nancy's call as to whom speaks? Her wish should be respected.
I could say that in a different way, but my message would get deleted.
That was only because he was president during Nixon's death. When any president dies, the current president should be a speaker at the funeral, same party or not. Other speakers should obviously be those who were friends and family. Neither Clinton nor Carter falls under these categories, so they shouldn't speak - nothing partisan about it.
x42 is/was a joke all right...
Once again, it's all about him.
This is Clinton trying to steal thunder like the classless little man he is. That's all. He's trying to make it about him and about politics, while claiming he had hoped it wouldn't be about politics.
<< CHOKE >>!!
What is the twit thinking?
Nevermind.
Please no.
I don't think that I can take one more biting of the lip, and the sorrowful crocodile tears for the camera, ala Ron Brown!
Why am I not surprised?
It's all about Bill Clinton.
"Just when I start to put this man behind me he jumps out in front again..."
And this will continue to happen over and over again. When Bush 41 was inaugurated, Ronald Reagan hopped a plane and returned to his beloved California. Clinton hung around an airport hanger saying "I'm still here!" Just couldn't go away. Still can't.
I'd rather have Clinton speak than Carter. Carter has never gotten over losing to Reagan, and he has been a small-minded, bitter man ever since. Carter has devoted his post-presidency towards demonizing and undermining every Republican president, violating the time-honored principle that ex-presidents butt-out.
Yep. Exactly.
Dan
THANK GOD
You bet, without a doubt. 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.
No bet. I'm pretty sure the usual band of immature malcontents and America-haters will be there making noise for their cause du jour...
He and Carter are not exactly friends of President Reagan or associates. They are more like acquaintances. I can see why Ford, Bush, and the current President Bush would speak.
Beat me to it. Of course, fi the Dems have a fit, and then accuse the GOP of making it a partisan thing...
Well, this could get interesting.
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