Posted on 03/10/2005 10:47:27 AM PST by West Coast Conservative
Bill Clinton enjoyed a round of golf yesterday with his old rival turned new buddy, the first President George Bush, in the odd couple's latest outing in front of the cameras.
Such a joint appearance would once have looked like a stuffy piece of presidential protocol. For years Mr Clinton was all but the devil incarnate to diehard Republicans after he upset Mr Bush's bid for re-election in 1992.
But the atmosphere of the old presidents' club and the pair's recruitment by the White House to be America's co-chief fund raisers for the victims of the Asian tsunami, has forged an intriguing bond.
Yes, they were mismatched, Mr Bush senior conceded recently. But despite their rivalry on the campaign trail, he went on, they had never been hostile.
In a rare public and even Clintonian display of sentiment from an essentially private man, he added: "Maybe I'm the father he never had". Mr Clinton's father died in a car accident a few months before the future president was born.
Mr Clinton too has been the model of courtesy, regularly deferring to his predecessor's extra 22 years of experience, even though, as a two-term president, he technically trumps Mr Bush.
To the bemusement of his enemies on the Right, on the government 757 jetting across Asia, Mr Clinton insisted on ceding the only bed to his elder travelling companion and sleeping on the floor.
"He was very considerate of the old guy. That's me," Mr Bush told the Houston Chronicle. "I mean, like the room on the plane. There was every reason in the world he should have had equal time if not priority, but he insisted. That's a tiny little thing that meant a lot to me."
Democrat and Republican, liberal womanising baby-boomer and old-fashioned, blue-blooded conservative, ostensibly the heads of America's two most powerful political families have little in common.
But their rapport has blossomed since they exchanged warm words at the opening of Mr Clinton's presidential library last November.
At the same time, in a sign that America is not as polarised as the recent election suggested, relations between Mr Clinton and George Bush the younger are positively cordial.
However, as Mr Clinton and the elder Bush headed off with Greg Norman to a Florida golf course yesterday to raise money for the tsunami victims, the first voices were heard suggesting that the love-in had risky repercussions for the Republicans.
Mr Clinton's wife, Hillary, a senator for New York, could be a powerful Democratic candidate for the presidency in 2008. As Mr Clinton undergoes an operation today, to remove scar tissue from last year's quadruple heart bypass, the Clinton family can be guaranteed yet more high profile and heart-warming coverage.
gag
Wouldn't it be something if HW led Clinton to Christ? *not with the 7-iron*
Good for the Elder Bush. I, for one, would have trouble keeping my lunch down in the presence of the Rapist-in-Chief.
This odd couple gallavanting the country, along with Hillary's sudden love affair with the ideas of Rick Santorum are extremely dangerous for conservatives. Apparently, the symbolism of such ventures is lost on both Bush Sr. and Bush Jr., but the public, many of whom change their minds each time the wind blows, can easily be fooled by such stupid alignments as these.
Conservatives beware. This stuff is dangerous to our national interests and future elections. Remember, the Clintons are low-lifes who do EVERYTHING in life for their own personal political gain.
As nice as this sounds, how much of this is Moderation window dressing for Hillary 2008?
It's far more galling to the crazies on the left.
But from what I've seen, they genuinely seem to like each other. But you have to admit, Clinton does have a certain charisma.
Clinton and Bush Sr. both had a hand in the CIA drug-running in Mena, Arkansas. That's why there's some reluctant but mutual friendship between them.
George H.W. Bush was never an ideologue. He won in 1988 brcause he mouth some of the Reagan rhetoric , but he also tried to moderate it with the"kinder, gentler" stuff. Bush 41 was NEVER a real conservative, the man is 80 yrs. old. When people age, they tend to mellow, especially politically, and I think Bush 41 feels partially vindicated by his son's success.
That's hardcore old school! :)
Yep, it bothers me that they are promoting hillary for 08.
That may be true, but it is the undecided middle who wins elections. And they are often easily swayed.
I for one believe it's a great example of Christian values. Remember you can't throw a rock if you have sinned yourself.
Regardless of the outcome we are guaranteed two things. The anti Christ will rise.. and Jesus will return.
We must always stay true to our values even if sometimes are ego's think that we are going to speed up or slow down his return.
It sure would. The man has a lot of sins to atone for.
They voted in the millions for President Bush.
I'm not surprised by 41's behavior. It is typical for the gentleman he has always been. He is setting a good example for 42, who is learning generosity and compassion for the first time in his life.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Winning Troops
Yeah, he's just sloppin' over with it.
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