Peggy Noonan: Just Friends (Bush Sr's newfound affection for Bill Clinton is just creepy)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Thursday, August 18, 2005 | Peggy Noonan

[mtbopfuyn]

Creepy, no. Sick, disgusting, and very scary is a start.

[Shawndell Green]

Lately, I have been finding Peggy creepy.

[Miss Marple]

Honestly, I don't think Clinton has exactly been a fixture at Kennebunkport. This is much ado about nothing. And Barbara Bush's comment on calling him "son" smacked of sarcasm, to me.

It's August. Apparently nutty stories are not confined to the leftists in the press. Why isn't Peggy writing about Able Danger, World Youth Day..... something actually happening NOW?

[MudSlide]

Maybe when she said Son she said the other three words under her breath.

[Loyal Buckeye]

The Libs think Clinton is helping GHWB improve his image.

[parcel_of_rogues]

This is another Rovian plot.

If you embrace Bill it suggests that all the evil we associated with him were all because of Hillary. This 'relationship' with the Bushes marginalizes her.

[Vaquero]

"Rivers and seas boiling! … The dead rising from the grave! ... Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together!" Dr. Peter Venkman....Ghostbuster

[trebb]

Perhaps it's just one of the ways they try to carry God's message to the sinners in hope of having a positive impact. Jesus hung around the human trash because they needed His help and influence more than others (the sick need the doctor, not the well). Let's just pray is has some effect.

[johnny7]

Ah yes... the Venkman Factor!

[sine_nomine]

It reminds me of the old insult, "You will either die on the gallows or of a loathsome disease." The rejoinder was, "It depends on whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."

The Clintons should be avoided at all times. They crave acceptance and do not deserve it.

McCain is another disgrace (a perpetual one at that) going on a tree-hugging junket with Hillary.

[browardchad]

What bothers me about the fervid friendship of the Bushes and Mr. Clinton--and the media celebration of it--is the faint whiff of superiority, a sense they radiate that all those slightly icky little people running around wailing about issues--tax reform, the relation of the individual to the state, the necessary character of a president--and working the precincts are somehow . . . a little below them. There is an air of condescension toward that grubby thing, belief. Those who hold it are not elevated, don't quite fit into the high-minded nonpartisan brotherhood. When in fact the people doing the day-to-day work of democracy, and who are in it because they are impelled by deep belief and philosophy, are actually not below them at all, and perhaps above them. Not that they're on the cover of People hugging, but at least they're serious.

It is the suggestion, or the suspicion, that these men have grown close because they are not serious, were never quite serious, that grates. That makes one wonder. That leaves some Republicans, and I have to assume more than a few Democrats, scratching their heads when they see Newt smiling with Hillary, and John McCain giggling with Hillary. It leaves you wondering: Why are these people laughing?

Noonan pretty much captures the essence of modern politics, where ideological differences are only skin deep -- until elections roll around, of course, and all those "icky little people" must be persuaded there is actually some reason to vote.

[funkywbr]

Maybe Bush I is longing for a BJ and wants to learn the intricacies of Cigar dipping?

[HuronMan]

Maybe Bush I will be seeking the Republican presidential nomination. He is eligible to serve another term.

[olde north church]

Lately, I have been finding Peggy creepy.
When it comes down it, she's a Lit Chick. The type who draws little, smiling daisy faces on her lower cap i-s, sends her spare change to "Save the Children" anonymously and daydreams Victorian romance novels then sighs. Color me brutish for noticing, she's also carrying some serious milk money.

[Liberty Valance]

They're ALL starting to creep me out.

[CajunConservative]

Maybe Bill recognizes something he's missed his entire life. NORMALCY

[Unicorn]

I prefer the son over the father.

[Guenevere]

#4...guilt by association, according to Peggy.
What disturbs me the most is it's coming from Peggy.

Why?...

...a poster once noted, not too long ago, that maybe Peg is a bit disgruntled because she didn't get the 'speech writing postition' for President Bush, and was recently filled by someone else.

Piling on Bush....when, like you said, Able Danger is gaining steam.

[toomanygrasshoppers]

Like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I don't think that there is true friendship between the Clintons and Bushs. The Bushs are too smart for that. IMHO