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'...

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UPDATED:

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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...

[mewzilla]

I wonder if any of the hoi polloi will be allowed near while Kerry stages his photo-op. Considering some of the disgusting things that have come out of Kerry's mouth in the past regarding Pres. Reagan, I would hope someone gives Kerry a piece of their mind if they get a chance.

[RightWingMama]

My office is open, but I am taking the day off.

[RandallFlagg]

LOL!

Da-da-da-da
(snap-snap)
Da-da-da-da
(snap-snap)
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da,
Da-da-da-da
(snap-snap)

[F.J. Mitchell]

Not so. None of those pictured are ROFLTAO.

Just kidding, We'll cover our faces with both hands and everyone will think we're crying.

[HenryLeeII]

Mr. Reagan would not even enter the Oval Office without a suit coat, whereas Clinton totally disregarded any sense of respect for the office. Ah-Nold should ban him from Kah-Lee-Fo-Nya during the services...

[LincolnLover]

True though that may be, far more people are/will be paying attention this time around.

C'mon, folks, think about it: do you think for a second that CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc. won't discuss the fact that the only two living Democrat ex-presidents were pointedly not invited? Do you doubt for a second that Clintonistas won't take to the airwaves to talk about how their ex-boss was snubbed?

"He spoke at Nixon's funeral," they'll say, and the conclusion they'll leave for people to draw is that the White House and the Reagans went out of their way to do the "wrong" thing, the small and petty thing, here.

All this could be avoided by just letting the guy bite his lower lip, crack a jellybean joke or two, and go on his way.

Just seems like a stupid, self-detrimental move to me, IMO.

[RandallFlagg]

Someone oughta send an alert to the VVets against Kerry people. They did real good at the memorial wall when Kerry showed up.

[GretchenM]

IVAN!!!!!

It's good to see you posting again. Have you been back for a long time and I've just missed it?

[PhiKapMom]

You obviously didn't watch the Wellstone funeral -- his own SON turned it into a pep rally. What is with you people -- there isn't a Freeper on here that is a Reagan supporter who would turn his funeral into a pep rally. Republicans don't do that and I take your comments as an insult to Republicans and Reagan supporters.

This is not a political event -- it is the honoring of a great President by the Nation led by our President and Commander-in-Chief. Another reason a lot of us were praying that President Reagan would not die while Bubba was President.

Getting sick and tired of the lecturing going on here by people I don't really recognize as longtime posters. Not one of the longtime posters I know would turn this into a political event -- not one. Unlike the Democrats we know there is a time and place for a political event and this is not one of them. We have too much respect for the Office of the Presidency and what President Reagan did for this Country to have anything but a dignified service for him.

Capish?

[KLT]

Oh I love to Hate That Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Howlin]

But I know that there are some here that would turn this into a political rally, if they were in charge.

You just proved you don't know what you're talking about, not to mention that you're willing to insult every Freeper here to make whatever point it is you're pushing.

You couldn't be more wrong.

[valleygal]

If they did start planning this in '81, what on earth would make the criminal or his insider's think the Reagan's would suddenly add him to the list after the disgrace of 92-2000 (and even after)! They are absolutely clueless, (shaking my head, really)...

[Vision Thing]

If Drudge's report is accurate: A statesman does not criticize a widow in the first hours of her grief.

No matter how much we may despise clinton, he is a very intelligent and effective politician. He knows exactly how bad this looks in the electorate's eyes.

He may be doing this to sabotage Kerry and the Dems for Nov 2004.

[mewzilla]

You're so right. And I hope the cell phone of the folks who've been waiting patiently in line for hours are ringing off the hook. Grrrrr.....

[Alberta's Child]

Clinton actually had an aide approach DiMaggio to arrange a photo-op in Baltimore at the baseball game in which Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive-games streak. DMaggio flatly refused, telling the aide that he would never have a photo taken with Clinton or even shake his hand off-camera.

[ridesthemiles]

Just when I start to put this man behind me he jumps out in front again...

If he shows up in front of my hood ornament, do I have to try and hit the brakes??????

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks. :^D

Yes, Wellstone's "Memorial" was a clintonesque, trashy political rally.

This Friday's Memorial ceremony for Ronald Reagan will be awesome.

[Wait4Truth]

Nancy loved her husband more than anything else in this world. She is not about to have slimeballs that trashed him in life to take the stage now at his last goodbye.

[Jimmy Valentine]

"he was trashed and set up by the left all the time"

They never ever forgave him for outing Alger Hiss

Regards

[Brad’s Gramma]

I do want to reiterate that there are those who would, in a heartbeat, turn this into a political event. I think you know that is the case. Many of them post on this board.

You're very, very wrong.