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...

[alpha-8-25-02]

i'm sorry that i'm just joining this thread.
i'ts always and will always be about the pwt.billie.
as far as it being a goverment function we paid monica's salary.he should be happy we let his disrespect for the office, not carry a death penalty.

[GoLightly]

In case you forgot, Clinton's speeches were never known for their brevity. About half an hour into his brief comments, who would you put in charge of giving him the hook?

[b9]

Only one event could upstage this funeral.
Clinton's own.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

As I recall, only the sitting president at the time (Clinton himself) spoke. Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush didn't speak.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Which is why I said that I would understand why he would be asked to speak

Are you saying just because he's a former president he should be asked to speak? Then why weren't the former presidents at Nixon's funeral asked to speak?

It's not a given and please don't buy into BJ's political whining.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I like the way you think.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

From the National Review's "Corner":

FUNERAL CIRCUS

"Matt Drudge says Bill Clinton wants to speak at the Reagan funeral and he--or someone in his shop--is complaining, feeding the media line that Reagan week is all Republican grandstanding. Could someone please pull out the Wellstone videotape? Have you seen anything to suggest that President Bush (the current) or anyone else is using this funeral as a crass anti-Democrat rally? To do so would be wrong. And classy people know that. The atmopshere in the chattering room though certainly makes clear some on the Left have already decided the headline on the funeral story, the heck with what actually happens."

[Final Authority]

If no words come forth from his mouth then he can not lie. I believe that is as good as it can be. For if he does get any opportunity to speak, they will be lies, as good reflections of the former President will not reflect his true beliefs of the Great Ronald Reagan.

[Bahbah]

"the background music was Tynan singing "Danny Boy"

That is exactly what I had in mind.

[Diddle E. Squat]

lol

[CasearianDaoist]

It will not defuse anything at all. That is just my point. It is fundamentally indecent. You will see the Democrats in the house give Clinton a big ovation that is really meant as a "crypto-jeer" at Reagan - it will tarnish the ceremony. Is that anyway to honor the dead? Should we really be bothering the Reagan family with these sort of political considerations. If I were GWB I would call out Nancy Reagan and tell her to do what she wants and the Dickens with what the media thinks. That would be the decent thing to do. If we lose an election by doing the decent thing iit is far better that winning it by doing the indecent thing.

Let's leave politics out of it. It makes us as bad as the Rats. If they really had any respect at all the would sitin the corner and keep mum.

[freekitty]

It would be refreshing to not hear them speak. We need this not to become a political event.

[princess leah]

OK - just answer me this question: If it were Clinton's funeral and Bush 43 were just a former president, would Hillary have Bush talk at his funeral - NO WAY! But the difference is, Bush wouldn't shove his big fat nose into the issue and MAKE a BIG DEAL out of it - he'd show respect for the dead...class, baby and the Clintons have zip, zero, nada! THEY DISGUST ME BEYOND WORDS!

[Lion Den Dan]

Put some ice on it, Willie.

[Cinnamon Girl]

If Clintoon really cared about Reagan, he'd respect the decision to have only people he LIKED eulogizing him.

[MamaB]

Glad to see you back. Missed you.

[Carolinamom]

To his credit, Jesse Ventura and spouse left during the Wellstone pep rally billed as a memorial service.

[southern bale]

from what i have read this week...reagan asked thatcher a long time ago to provide a eulogy, which she taped due to declining health...

[shield]

She is different than her husband. He always crossed party lines...all through his presidency. If this was NOT decided before his death...then I too think she'll stick to that decision, after thinking about it. She was extremely protective of the love of her life.

[Tamzee]

You're at your limit already? And the day has just gotten going, ouch!