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.

[the Deejay]

"And has been paid back ever since by Fat Drunk Teddy with daily assualts on his character and honesty."

Correct.

Wait until the klintoons get their Dim shots at GW during the DNC convention. It will be pure vile.

[SmithPatterson]

How about remembering him for perjury..lying...lack of guts in getting back at al Qaeda...If it hadn't been for that weak kneed Senate, led by that weak kneed Trent Lott, Clinton would have been in the slammer......and not being honored at the White House. However, in doing this..President Bush is showing that he is a class person, which is something you can't say about Clinton or his wife.

[GradientEcho]

It comes down to class. Some things that went on in the Oval Office got enough recounting back in the 1990s, and need no further mention. Anything nice W says today makes any jibe of Clinton's later look more mean-spirited and crude. He did the right thing, the speech is unlikely to change anyone's opinion of WJC and might just nudge an opinion about W.

[MEG33]

Well, as Clinton had done the a welcoming back of his father for Bush 41's portrait unveiling,Bush 43 couldn't start a trend, now could he?...I gritted my teeth and listened. Bush did the Presidential,gracious, thing to do.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Shows how much more class the Bushes have than the anti-Christ and his minion.

Long live the Starr Report!

[Consort]

Bubba was out-slicked.

[Dianna]

Anyone who says he offered a glowing tribute did NOT listen -- go back and read the remarks and take note of what was NOT said.

We should take notes. W has given us all the "true" but bland, vaguely complimentary things we can repeat when Clinton dies.

[Southack]

"How much more of this are we supposed to take?"

Relax. Look at how the news cycle is being dominated. It's all President GW Bush, with a little of President GHW Bush (eulogy, parachute jumps, birthday), plus President Reagan, and a little of President Clinton (new painting, new book).

That sort of sucks that air out of any room for Senator Kerry to "get his message" out, you know!

Our economy is rocking, Afghanistan is all positive, Iraq is looking better every day, and issue after issue is going our way. Heck, even gas prices are coming down.

How is Senator Kerry going to get his "scandal of the day" strategy out in this environment?!

[lawgirl]

I totally agree- and it's DELICIOUS to watch the Dims self destruct because they have no room to get W on this one.

[Malsua]

That Chelsea makeover is pretty stunning. She's still a horseface, but not nearly as chumly as she was.

[XJarhead]

Bubba was out-slicked.

You might even say that Bush was acting very Presidential. It was a very, very good speech.

[DustyMoment]

Were the situation reversed, Bush's magnanimity would NOT be repaid in kind. Neither the Clintons nor the Dems. in general, have that level of maturity.

[beethoven]

Great photo. . .Monica back at the White House!

[jmstein7]

But, that's not good. We want Kerry in the news... remember he's TRYING to stay out of the news. Whenever he shows up, he puts his foot in his mouth. MORE KERRY!

As Rush says, Kerry needs to be dragged out of his cave. His "run out the clock" and hide strategy is dispicable.

[sasafras]

This is why I cant stand Bush (although I will still vote for him) - he is more worried about what others think than what is right. This is why the dems continue to hold onto power because they believe in their cause (eventhough it is wrong and sometimes evil) they are passionate. When Bush kisses Clintons butt he makes a fool out of himself and all others who support him by not exposing this filth for what he is.

[SisBoombah]

In keeping the attention off Kerry, it also means the usual questioning and vetting will not take place. It, therefore, helps Kerry when he is not in the spotlight. The ABB folk will not have to defend or acknowledge what they have bought as a candidate. I would rather all eyes be on Kerry who has nothing to show for his two decades of public "service."

[Blue Scourge]

I couldn't have done what Bush did today...I respect the office, but I couldn't have said what he said about Hitlery.

But it did show the difference in moral and character make-up of Republicans as opposed to most democrats.

[Southack]

This is pre-Dem-Convention time. Keeping Senator Kerry out of the news at this point in time can only help keep him from crashing, not raise his numbers.

And after their Boston convention, JFK's numbers (at whatever level that they remain) will steadily erode during the buildup to the Republican convention in NYC with 9/11 and Pres. Reagan tributes, et al.

[imintrouble]

Loved to read all the commentary on that bit of drama I watched this morning.

I thought George Bush came off the class act he is and felt really proud of his delivery as well. You are batting 1000 Mr. President in your speechifying these days.

There was no reason to get dumpy about the bit of tradition anyway, and with the family members of the Clintons there, it looked more like a pleasant gathering.

My fav line is when Mr. Bush asked if Hillary's mother had got her "two sons" in line yet...haha.... those Rodham boys are as bad as Clinton's young bro Roger.

I always feel I am witnessing the Beverly Hillbillies when these two get their families out of the closet for show.