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...
And it is Nancy's wish to have a full-out state funeral (as President Reagan is certainly entitled), in order to share this time with us.
Nixon's family declined a state funeral in D.C., if everyone will recall.
CLINTON DISAPPOINTMENT: LEFT OFF FUNERAL SPEAKERS LIST
Bubba has no shame. He wants face time in EVERYTHING. Can you just SHUT UP FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE? I wish they would bar him & the witch from even coming. I can’t express how disgusting this is. The worst president of the 20th century wants to eulogize at the best President of the century funeral.
HAVE YOU NO SHAME, SIR?
"President Clinton really held out all hope the funeral would be a nonpartisan event, like Nixon's was,"
It was non-partisan until slick willie turned it partisan with that comment.
Yeah and he spoke there, as the SITTING Pres. Carter attended as ex pres but was NOT invited to speak.
I keep thinking how Clinton loomed ike a ghoul at all the 911 funerals, dying for attention.
I agree.
I should add to my comment that I agree - Clinton did do a very good job at Nixon's funeral. But he's not president any more, and not a friend of the family, so what's he bitching about?
The POS doesn't have the decency to accept the decision and shut up.
Clinton spoke at Nixon's funeral simply because he was the president at the time of Nixon's death.
Neither Clinton nor Carter should be there.
I totally don't agree. They should BOTH be there. President Reagan should NOT!
They merely want to politicize it. If one is not asked why would one complain. It is just indecent. Even if one was wounded by the omission it is not something to be aired in public.
As for Carter, he was his political foe and ideological nemesis. For what other reasons that politics self prompropotion and pure selfish mean spiritedness would he want to speak. If they have a statement then issue it to the press.
I think you wrong here.
Simple.....Everything, everywhere, anytime, "IS ALL ABOUT HIM."
That is an excellent point. Clinton and Carter have broken all the rules about ex-Presidents not criticizing their successors. These are the rules that have helped smooth the transition from one administration to another, and have prevented deep division among the American people. It is the left's fault that the American people are more divided than ever before. clinton and Carter have deliberately deepened the division by shooting off their mouths, criticizing whatever Republican was in office.
People who spoke ill of President Reagan in life should not be given the spotlight and stage to intone insincere platitudes for the President in death.
This is fantastic news.
Little sub man carter is left off along with no book tour from clintoon.
Way to Go Nancy,
President reagan and nancy made these plans ahead of time, and ghere we have slick willy again trying to steal the spotlight.
I remember Republicans paying respect to Wellstone and being booed at the campaign death rally.
SCrew these liberals and their marxist communist socialist agenda's.
And thank Goodness W's President at this moment, which guarantees a dignified Funeral for our Beloved President Reagan.
You know Clintoon wants to speak now because no one will show up to speak at his own funeral.
Regards,
Joe
Lame attempt by dems to claim that Republican's are wellstonizing Reagan's funeral by excluding Clinton and Carter as speakers. Won't work.
If Carter spoke his true thoughts, he'd say, "I've never gotten over the fact that I was beaten by Reagan, a man for whom a have nothing but contempt." There is no way on earth Carter should be allowed to speak at Reagan's funeral; it would be a sham.
I feel like I must be reading something from the Onion. Clinton and Carter couldn't *possibly* have actually expected to speak, could they?
Good gravy.
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