Bush offers glowing tribute to Clinton at unveiling of portrait

AP ^ | 6.14.04

[ambrose]

(06-14) 11:54 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --

President Bush offered a glowing tribute to former President Clinton on Monday as the White House unveiled the official portraits of the 42nd president and his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Bush rode into office on a promise "to restore honor and dignity" to the White House after eight years of Clinton, and he was bitter at Clinton for defeating his father in the 1992 presidential contest. Moreover, Clinton plans to campaign for the man trying to oust Bush from office, Democrat John Kerry.

But on Monday, Bush delivered a lengthy, forceful defense of his predecessor, and welcomed dozens of Clinton administration officials back into the White House. It was Clinton's first return to the White House since leaving office, said a spokeswoman, Tammy Sun.

"As a candidate for any office, whether it be the state attorney general or the president, Bill Clinton showed incredible energy and great personal appeal," Bush said. "As chief executive, he showed a deep and far-ranging knowledge of public policy, a great compassion for people in need and the forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president."

Bush left Clinton laughing so hard that his face turned red with a jibe about Clinton's optimism in campaigning in Texas for George McGovern in 1972.

[gatorbait]

Quoting Bush about Clinton: "He filled this house with energy and joy." These are the words I would use to describe a four-year-old let loose in a toy store.

You nailed it,particularly the age appropriate comment ....

[OldFriend]

Clearly his mind is diseased. Between feeling like a pickle and the reference to a chain saw massacre....one does wonder.

[F16Fighter]

"Shrug. That's politics. It costs President Bush absolutely nothing to say 'Clinton sure tried hard' and 'had a lot of energy' and 'sure made it clear that he cared a lot'."

If by "nothing" you mean the respect of many of us...

This idiocy is up there with Dubya's "Islam is a Religion of Peace."

[OldFriend]

Between the pickle and the chain saw massacre.....one does wonder, eh?

[OldFriend]

Talking to Mrs. Rodham about Tony and Hugh Rodham.........LOLOL........

[I still care]

Not only that, but the mainstream media, which routinely ignores Bush speeches (except to quote them out of context) will give Bush play on this one, simply because their boy is in it - and Bush looks and sounds good.

[I still care]

I liked when he said, remember, everyone who lives here is a temporary tenant.

Zing! Bubba didn't like that one, for sure.

[I still care]

Sometimes the best way to handle an enemy is to give them plenty of rope and exposure. Clinton speaks well, but is often inappropriate. The pickle and chainsaw were examples. Also, did anyone else notice Clintons' speech was me-me-me-me-me-me.

Bush, on the other hand, came off classy and humorous. I bet he and Laura are laughing about this one tonight.

[OldFriend]

We are all laughing tonite. And the Klinton's must be fuming. To say nothing of the hughey and tony boys! And where was Roger????????

[Spotsy]

Tony and Hugh Rodham - now those are some BIG boys!

LOL! Thanks for the info, I'll look for the replay.

[YankeeReb]

I heard Michael Savage complaining about Bush praising Clinton and how he's not a real conservative for doing it. Much as I like Savage I have to say he was flat out wrong on this. Bush was really showing the thugs in the DNC how a statesman is supposed to act, and how prior to the rapist's administration how most elected officials carried themselves in public. Sometimes actually saying nice things about a P.O.S. like the stain-maker really drives home the point better than listing all the slime blatently.

[weegee]

[harpo11]

President Bush either is the best at covering up his true emotions or he really believed all this bullcrap. It is so offensive hearing Bush give these two low life miscreants such excessive and undeserved praise especially after the nation paid her highest homage and tribute to an honorable man, President Reagan.

How President Bush could do this without taking a long hot shower after is beyond me. I just hope he asks God for forgiveness for having to lie about these two worthless sewer rats who we had the misfortune to endure for 8 years of constant scandal and betrayal.

I do not know who was responsible for the timing of this outrage and stupid waste of taxpayer funds, portraits of an impeached president and his pernicious wife.

I am totally disgusted seeing the aristocratic political elite suck up to each other in this most despicable fashion.

[Cultural Jihad]

Shrug. That's politics. It costs President Bush absolutely nothing to say "Clinton sure tried hard" and "had a lot of energy" and "sure made it clear that he cared a lot".

Moreso than that, it is civility founded upon Christian mercy and forgiveness, and his words do a great service to the dignity of the office he holds, even if his predecessor did not.

[bitt]

your monica pic - schweeeeet.

[texasflower]

You truly seem to have a lack of dignity yourself.

[MinorityRepublican]

Reminds of Bush having a White House screening of that film celebrating Kennedy and Bobby defusing the Bay of Pigs situation. Can't remember the title, but it starred Kevin Costner. Bush invited prominent Dems to the viewing and in effect, honored the memory of JFK.

I know what you're saying, the title is Thirteen Days.

[texasflower]

You seem to want him to act like a low class bully.

Not his style. I'm sorry that it is yours.

[texasflower]

You are clueless.

[texasflower]

What is wrong with you? These portraits are done of every single president and first lady.

That unfortunately includes those two creeps.

President Bush acted like a statesman and a gentleman.