Posted on 11/19/2010 8:10:07 AM PST by WebFocus
One of the dangers of following book media tours is that several days in, the author slips into narrative cruise control, a storytelling routine that shares the same stories the same ways. This is especially true by the time they reach the West Coast because, given the Eastern location of major media outlets, most promotion tours start there.
Think Sean Hannity and the bald guy on the “Today Show” with former president George W Bush recently.
Promoting his best-selling memoir “Decision Points,” Bush made two stops in the L.A. area Thursday, including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
He had fresh material for both. At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, with former First Lady Nancy Reagan on his arm, Bush answered a long series of written audience questions.
“I loved being president,” said No. 43, “and I love not being president.”
He said he’d still be out of the spotlight if it wasn’t for promoting the book. But he intended to return to relative anonymity soon because “I just don’t want to be out opining on everything” since it ends up being taken as critical of his successor. And the job’s hard enough.
He said he hoped “Decision Points” would be a reference point for future historians and a glimpse of life inside the pressures of the presidency for today’s readers. “I don’t settle scores,” said Bush. “I’m not an angry person. I’m a happy guy.” Bush did reveal that one of his greatest thrills was surprising U.S. troops on Thanksgiving in Baghdad.
An 8-year-old wanted to know what Bush wanted to be at age 8: “Willie Mays!”
And Bush recounted how excited he was years later as president to welcome his childhood hero and baseball great to the White House as “Commissioner” of Bush’s annual T-ball games for little people.
On Osama bin Laden: He knows President Obama is still trying to find the 9/11 villain and he wishes he’d been able “to bring him to justice.”
“But,” Bush added, “he’s not leading any victory parades.”
Any advice for parents of teens? “Look them in the eye and say, ‘I love you and there’s nothing you can do to make me stop loving you. (pause) So, stop trying!’”
At NBC, Bush got a standing O from the audience and appreciation from the stand-up comedian: “The last time you were here it was 2000. It was 10 years ago. And in the last 10 years, thank you for all the material.”
A notorious early-riser, Bush looked at the late-night host and said: “You know, I hate to tell you, I don’t want to hurt your feelings. But I was asleep.”
Lighten up. Is life just too serious to never have some fun?
Run for president...show everyone how it's done.
FOISTED. The word is FOISTED. (And here you are calling Bush “dumb”)
Good. I never watch the late shows - too busy playing games and visiting Facebook, but it’s good to know Bush was treated well on the show.
Yeah, we get it. You hate Bush blahgblah blah, Halliburton blah, Katrina blah, Bush is the source of all evil. Thanks for hijacking the thread, jackass.
One possibility that Reagan pursued was to make ex-Prexy Gerald Ford his VP.
Ford and Reagan couldn't agree on the responsibilities that Ford would assume, so the Ford vice-presidency idea was finally dropped.
I was a strong Reagan supporter, and was appalled at the idea.
I agree completely.
It is one of the consistent put downs of the liberals... Dumb, Stupid, unqualified, no experience, dangerous, etc. Yet Obama is not all that smart, he had next to no experience and is proved to be a liar socialist/Marxist, and devoid of compassion. And they love and praise him!!!!!
Has nothing to do with reality. MO
As in “Git there foistest with the mostest” (Nathan Bedford Forrest).
Hey, Jay, Zero and Michelle are providing a lot of material too, if you’re willing to use it.
I work with veterans on a daily basis (actually, they seek me out because they know I will advocate on their behalf). To a person, these men and women exhibit an extraordinary level of humility, humor and appreciation for our 43rd Commander in Chief — I’ll defer to their informed judgement (and class)!
KUDOS!
When asked later in life Reagan said Nancy’s first choice was Jack Kemp. Bush was not foisted on Reagan, he chose Bush himself. There are plenty of sources on this including Lou Cannon’s biography ‘Role of a Lifetime’.
After all, Bush did win a number or primaries and Reagan felt he needed to shore up the East Coast in 1980. Remember that there was still some bad blood between the western conservative wing of the party and the eastern blue bloods from 1964, and Nixon did nothing to make that schism go away. There was also some lingering issues because of Reagan’s primary challenge to Ford in 1976.
Yeah, that’s a real classy post.
“Hey, Jay, Zero and Michelle are providing a lot of material too, if you’re willing to use it.”
If Leno does use any anti Zero and Michelle material he will be labled a racist and the Crips and Bloods will unite and pop a cap in his ass the next time they see him.
I'm pretty sure he does know. He sure got the last laugh, of the interview.
The term is FOISTED. Which I’m pretty sure President Bush knows how to spell.
Making him smarter than you, you must admit.
Who would you rather had have ‘foisted’ on us than GW Bush and G Bush, for Presidents, during each of their terms???
Former politicians go to ROASTS, and invite comedians to political events who do their best to trash them.
For instance, President Bush had Lewis Black appear at a Washington event DURING his Presidency.
This lambasting is all perfectly acceptable in the name of entertainment.
President Bush said he doesn't get angry, hold grudges, etc.
The Jay Leno show is an advertising medium, and President Bush was wise enough to use it.
If it helps him sell more of his books, it was good judgment.
Maybe Leno was using him, during his Presidency.
Now President Bush is using him.
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