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...

[Not A Snowbird]

I quote myself from a related thread: "My own personal opinion? Let the Republicans eulogize Ronald Reagan. He was ours. Democrats may attend, and pay their respects, and be respectfully QUIET."

Clinton and Carter do not have a right to speak. They may attend, and be quiet. If they try to horn in, Nancy will probably rip them a new one.

[Keith]

LOL! good point...

[HairOfTheDog]

Neither Clinton nor Carter should be there.

Of course they should ~both~ be there. as well as all other living presidents and figures of government, from both sides of the aisle. This is the passing of a man who is part of our history, not the RNC convention.

Honestly.... I am not putting too much into this report from Drudge. Drudge loves to make up division, dissapointment and controversy where there is none. Clinton is too experienced of a player for me to believe he said something stupid just because Drudge says it. Unnamed Clinton source? - Give me a break.

[Reagan Man]

If Mrs.Reagan wants Clinton and/or Carter to speak, so be it. If not, they should all STFU and show respect for the memory of this great man.

[prophetic]

If AL BORE was allowed to speak he'd probably most likely be raging how Bush has caused Global Warming which has led to Reagan's death.

[Old Sarge]

Who's got the Demo Crybaby Seal?

[Tamzee]

You're back :-) We missed you!

[lainie]

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...

[Mayflower Sister]

And when the republican came to Wellstone's funeral, they booed. Get real. They do not even belong at the funeral.

[mtbopfuyn]

Wow, that's a first. Someone actually told him, no, and he hasn't wiggled his way around it. What's it going to take to make him and the witch to go away? Enough already!

[Phantom Lord]

Darth,

Clinton spoke at Nixon's funeral because he was POTUS at the time.

Carter couldn't even be bothered with showing up at the WWII memorial opening. Why on earth should he be allowed to have a speaking part at Reagan's funderal?

[kalama]

Drudge now reporting both Bush I and II will give an address at the National Cathedral.

[bolobaby]

Can you believe these egomaniacs???

"It's all about me! MEEEEEEEEEEE!"

[Alouette]

[CasearianDaoist]

I would accept Bush's father too, and as you say the Iron Lady. Other than that no one else and certainly not his political and ideological opponents - that is just disrespecting the dead. It goes to show just how lacking the Rats are in simple human dignity and decency, not to mention basic comportment.

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

Give these dickweeds an opportunity to speak and they will turn the affair into a Wellstone Funeral redux.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Clinton and Carter have deliberately deepened the division by shooting off their mouths, criticizing whatever Republican was in office."

In my opinion, Carter has been the worse offender; Clinton actually defended Bush on the WMD claims and other aspects of the Saddam Hussein threat; Clinton realized he had made most of the very same claims, and for once he didn't lie about it.

[Conservative4Ever]

Thank you Nancy Reagan for this gift of having Clinton and Carter barred from speaking at your beloved husband's funeral. God Bless you.

Red

[Keith]

Thanks Alouette...I had forgotten...he is good at faking emotions at funerals. slimy piece of...

[HungarianGypsy]

Always thought the family chose the speakers. Perhaps they wanted to make sure the speakers were a bit more personal (since the Bushes actually knew the Reagans). How often do we allow just anyone who wants a little face time to speak at a loved one's funeral, just because they're there? He should just be happy he was invited and shut his yap for once. This week it's not about him.