Did George Bush say that Clinton is like a brother?

1/30/2006 | me

[Thomas Jefferson II]

He is sharper than you think. He knows exactly what he is doing. And it will work.

[Thomas Jefferson II]

What a crock line. How close do you keep your enemies? They are compadres in the Globalist arena.

[xsmommy]

yunz don't get it. he said clinton is like a "brutha".

[Howlin]

Exactly what did you expect the sitting president of the United States to say about a woman who may be running for president?

Would you have liked for him to say some of the stuff we post about her on FR?

[Howlin]

No matter how big you make the font, some of them don't want to "get it," friend.

[Howlin]

and no matter how you slice it, Bush looks like a dolt for saying it.

Sorry, you're wrong; if you had seen the entire interview, you'd know he was answering questions and he was LAUGHING while he was talking.

In fact, Barbara Bush made these very same JOKES months ago, laughing at her own husband and Bill Clinton to their faces at a fundraiser.

[pollyannaish]

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree on this.

I sometimes disagree with the man on policy, but I have never disagreed with him on style. In fact, I admire it profoundly and sometimes wonder who he does it. It makes his opponents seem even more unhinged than they actually are. In fact, it makes them even angrier at him.

I believe that President Bush gets considerable mileage out of being a gentleman. And as for the concept of being the sharpest knife in the drawer—a lot of people have been cut badly by thinking that. He may not be the sharpest, but he is plenty sharp.

[WillT]

Well, I have plenty to disagree with him on policy, as he will go down as a big spender, unable to make progress on social security and immigration, among other things. But he displays a complete lack of sharpness on things like the Harriet Miers nomination, the "Mission Accomplished" debacle, the constant Bill Clinton coddling, even though Billy Boy kicks the crap out of him on policy while overseas !! Geez !! And it took Bush six months to finally realize he was being pummeled by the Demonrats and the press on Iraq !! He's better than any alternative from the other party, but he could be doing much better. I think we could all agree on that !!!

[pollyannaish]

I do not like the spending either, although I don't singularly blame him for that. There is plenty of blame to go around, INCLUDING the population at large. So that does not rest solely on the President's shoulders, but he does bear some responsibility.

The Harriet Miers nomination was a flat out mistake. I give you that. But the Mission Accomplished thing was not. I still believe and understand what that was all about because...I actually listened to the speech at the time. He was very clear if one bothered to pay attention. HE IS NOT CODDLING the ex President. He is being polite. There is a huge difference. I am not going to explain it here, because it's pointless.

Finally, if you pay attention and watch, you will realize that the pummeling the President took on Iraq WAS INTENTIONAL. He is like a highly skilled fighter. If it was a random thing, I would agree with you, but it just isn't. It is coldly, consistently calculated. Ever single time. His opponents swing, and swing and swing. He doesn't fight back and he lulls them into a false sense of victory. They begin to look around and wave to their buddies. They believe themselves on the cusp of winning the argument. They've got him on the ropes.

Tired, but happy...they are about to take the big prize. They look around to make sure everyone is watching. They're winding up in a big blaze of glory for the final blow, when POW. Upside the head they get the knockout blow. Because the President has allowed them to shoot their reserves on pummeling him here, there and everywhere, while he was saving energy and focus for one solid knock out blow.

I'm telling you Will, it happens over and over again. He is not afraid to let it look like the other guy is winning, because in the end he knows that it is results that matter and results that win the game. That is the ONLY place that he focuses his energy. Not in the looks, in the results. Period.

Which is exactly why we have a Justice Alito today. And why he will kick butt tonight in the SOTU.

You don't have to like him. You can even hate the guy if you wish. But it is very hard, if you are paying attention, not to admire the sheer gutsiness of his style.

[38special]

Mena, Arkansas.

[Dante3]

You may have a point. That might explain why a while back Bush senior honored none other that Teddy Kennedy. Unbelievable but true.

[OB1kNOb]

When W said that Bubba was like a brother to him, he was just drawing a parallel comparison to Roger, doncha know?

[WillT]

I don't hate the guy, never said I did....and the Alito thing is great, which makes up for the Miers mistake. But the spending thing is a big boo-boo with me, since Bush has not vetoed ONE spending bill in five years !!! And no comment about the Republican congress on spending. It's ridiculous !! The immigration proposal is a disaster too, it's going nowhere. The social security thing was a strategic disaster. As far as his move NOT to respond to critics for six months, that was another strategic mistake. The guy's polling numbers are pretty bad and have been for a year now. 42 percent is not good, whether the NYT did the numbers or Fox. And you can say the polling numbers are not quite accurate because of the poor sampling, but he is not a popular president, it's safe to say. I give Bush a ton of credit for taking on some big issues. But he is not a slam dunk for conservatives, unfortunately.

[pollyannaish]

Well, think what you will. I think we've both explained our positions clearly and are not going to change each other's minds.

But one word of caution, If you think this President is a disaster...well, good luck with that because I've now been alive during eight Presidencies. This is one of the two best in my lifetime. Perhaps I just wasn't privy to the "great ones."

It's been nice talking to you. All we can do is wait and see. Meet back here in about 50 years? LOL.

[Antoninus]

In the Christian sense. Maybe "W" thinks Bill can be redeemed. I certainly do.

As for the Ice Queen, that would take an overt act of God.

[WillT]

Just one correction: I never said Bush was a disaster. I'm just saying he has been great in certain instances but a disappointment in others, from a conservative standpoint. That is all. But I appreciate your comments and feedback.

[sheltonmac]

Does anyone need any more proof that American politics is an elitist scam? They really are all the same. Corrupt, and power hungry.

It is disconcerting when you actually think about it. The same two families have been in control of the Executive Branch of government for the last 25 years: First it was George H. W. Bush (1981-1993), then Bill Clinton (1993-2001) and now George W. Bush (2001-present).

[Thomas Jefferson II]

Barry and the Boys! You believe all of that stuff? HMM!

[Thomas Jefferson II]

...well, good luck with that because I've now been alive during eight Presidencies. This is one of the two best in my lifetime. Perhaps I just wasn't privy to the "great ones."

I have been alive as long as you [obviously, I have been alive for nine]. Other than GWB, who was the other great one?

[twwtww]

If I was George, I'd keep my daughters away, Bill might be into incest!!!!