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...
"Pubbies will invite him to speak."
I think it's Nancy's call. Clinton and Carter have no business speaking at the funeral.
Clinton is already acting like he's the vice president.
Very interesting... I did not know that. I do recall that Hillary Clinton scheduled one of her "coming clean" press interviews while the media's attention was focused on President Nixon (who was dying at the time... media was on watch). Kept the heat off her. But your post just illustrates still more that there were reasons for Clinton to speak at Pres. Nixon's funeral. What earthly reason could there be for Clinton to speak at President Reagan's funeral? Hmmm... now I am wondering... who spoke at President Kennedy's funeral? Gotta look that one up....
So, given that you and your pals did your damndest to destroy everything President Reagan did to make America a great country after the debacle that was Jimmy Cahtuh, Whyinhell would you expect to even be invited to the funeral, much less be a speaker!
Get lost, Slick! We doan need no steenkin' LIEberal Democrat speeches ruining our celebration of Ronald Wilson Reagan's life and achievements!
>Rant over!< [Maybe. I reserve the right to revisit this rant at a later date!]
Isn't that the truth. When he was harassing women in the White House, it was touted that we should butt out, it was a personal issue between him and Hillary. Well Bill, this is an issue between Nancy and her family so you butt out!
You go Captain!
You go Captain! Well put sir!
It seems like Clinton's physically being there would actually defile the funeral.... and I don't say that lightly :-(
Cry me a river Mr My Life.
The Gipper is so much greater, he has taken all the O2 from you. My hope is that his last service to this country is reawaken the Reaganites and this nation.
If I was the current president I would speak if asked, certainly. I'd say pleasant things and not mention scandals. I'd ask God's grace to his family and talk about how he now belongs to the ages. If I wasn't asked, I'd certainly not cry about it to the press.
They may not think it is appropriate to ask Clinton to speak because they know he would turn what is supposed to be a solemn event into a political rally. If it was any other person it might have been considered. But... consider the source.
Agreed. If it's decided, that's it. And, Nancy has the grownups in charge to help her stick with it. Clinton can whine all he wants (and I hope he does), but he'll end up sitting silent in a back row after all is said and done.
Which is fine. I am not always right. :-) I do think that the main point is Clinton should not be whining that he was left off the speakers list. I am only saying I can understand why he would be asked to speak, if that were the case.
Once Reagan was preparing to make a speech in a small foreign country in S. America. His speech writer at the time came upon some information in which the puffed up dictator of the small country (I didn't catch which one) was going to spend his time debasing President Reagan. The speech writer merely laughed and told Reagan that when he (the writer)was done, they'd cut the little puffed up dictator off at the knees. Reagan responded, "that's exactly the opposite of what we should do." He went on to ask the writer to spend his time creating a speech that was full of compliments directed at the dictator. Thus the dictator could never deliver his abuse at the expense of Reagan. This just came to mind after reading this thread. I don't believe Clinton nor Carter have any right, moral or ethical, to speak at this funeral. I do think they have the right to rant and rave about it. It's political suicide every time they, or one of their "advisors" open their mouth right now.
Interestingly, Hillary appears to be keeping her fool mouth shut about this.
Let jimma speak at bubba's funeral,I will watch!
Awww. better put some ice on that!
Would any of us want bill clinton speaking at our funeral?
Seems only fair. She approved of Vince Foster's, after all.
A Brit, a Canadian, a Rabbi, and an Irishman. No wonder the Dems are mad! No where near enough countries represented for a funeral coalition! Why isn't Kofi Annon speaking? And Arafat! The Palestinians need equal time! < /sarcasm>
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