I'm trying to say that I think that the father of the current President was very comfortable with the don't-rock-the-boat school of international relations. His close aide, Brent Scowcroft, was highly critical of the current administration for pursuing the cause of freedom outside of the US.
After Brent Scowcroft criticized President Bush 43, and President Bush 41 gave a medal to Teddy Kennedy even as he was becoming increasingly shrill, I think that this must have annoyed President Bush 43.
I am not a psychiatrist, but I suspect that President Bush 43 was, at the least, tweaking his father when he invited him to join him at the ranch in Midland for Thanksgiving, only to secretly fly away to Iraq and show support for the troops.
By the way, in looking at more recent exchanges between Presidents Bush 41 and 43, it appears that the division between them has healed on a personal level, even though President Bush 41 occasionally reveals his disagreements with his son's policies. This is exactly what he did when he minimized his son's speech.
In my opinion, President Bush 41 has no business infantilizing his son, by telling people that Bush 43 doesn't mean what he says. This is classic enabling behavior, and it is both unnecessary and condescending.
Aren't you glad you asked?
Yes, I am glad I asked.
I agree with much of what you said. Especially about 41 liking the "not rocking the boat".
I'm just not sure about any little games between 41 and 43. But that could be right.
The President wasn't gone really at that long on Thanksgiving and he left behind Laura and the girls also, so I have a hard time with that one.
The Kennedy thing? Maybe.
I very much agree with you here...
"In my opinion, President Bush 41 has no business infantilizing his son, by telling people that Bush 43 doesn't mean what he says. This is classic enabling behavior, and it is both unnecessary and condescending."
A little bit of resentment that the son did better than he did?