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...
The above quote...if correct, x42 is the one trying to make the event partisan. And of course, we're not surprised!
who is speaking? if former presidents are speaking, you can't very well exclude just the Dems. Only the current President Bush should speak - plus anyone like Margaret Thatcher that the family wants, no other politicians.
Clinton and Carter can kiss our beloved Ronald's embalmed ass. There is good precendent for allowing the sitting president to speak, but beyond that it's whoever the family wants, period.
It is a non-partisan event.
It's also going to be a non-Clinton event.
These are good things.
We don't want a Wellstone event. Regan was a good man who bridged a lot of people. Having the leader of the other side acknowledge that and say positive things about him is not a bad thing. In my opinion.
Good Lord, indeed... Clinton "it's all about MEEEEEEEEEE" can just zip it. (pun intended)
Isn't it the family who chooses who will speak and what music will be played ??
Does he think there's some unwritten protocol that dictates he and Carter be speakers at Reagan's funeral? I wouldn't think he was all that observant of such protocols as he hasn't observed the one honored by other former presidents -- to refrain from speaking out about his successor.
To be eulogized by a pathological liar, rapist, traitor, felon? No thanks.
It's a woman's funeral, for the man she cherished and adored... and: he wants to make it a bloody photo op for his wretched, ghost-written little book!
Such a boor.
Such an unspeakable lout.
I agree. He did a very good job at Nixon's funeral.
Agreed. Say it with me now: no Clinton/Carter speeches.
Carter acted as a swine after he left office. He is a small man. Clinton shouldn't be allowed to speak, but I don't see any reason for Bush I to speak, as well. Bush I did nothing to advance the Reagan legacy, losing to the Hillbilly in 1992. Bush the Younger and Lady Thatcher should be the soul eulogies. Be Seeing You,
Chris
Exactly. Even though it's a State funeral, the wishes of the family are paramount.
We don't know if Presidents Ford and Bush I have been invited to speak, either. As far as I know, it will be the sitting President (as it was in Nixon's case) and Mrs. Thatcher's taped address (because President Reagan wanted it so).
And, as for the matter of non-partisan funeral services, let's not forget the last Dem funeral in Minnesota.
Well, in better days, past presidents refrained from directly criticizing their successors. Both Carter and Clinton have broken with that tradition - so why should tradition be followed by having them speak at Reagan's funeral?
Don't worry Bill, we'll all have a say at your funeral to make up for it.
I would've said so, too, before this staffer's comments.
That's what I thought ... It's the families call
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