Posted on 12/09/2018 10:52:32 AM PST by Kaslin
WASHINGTON -- Who will speak for President Donald Trump at his state funeral, far in the future though it should be? That must be what the 45th president was thinking as he sat in the front pew at the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush.
Bush was eulogized by a man of words, a foreign world leader, a onetime ally in Congress and his eldest son -- Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Bush biographer Jon Meacham, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., and son and former president George W. Bush.
Is there a scribe who will praise Trump for his leadership and his rhetoric?
Here's a hint. In January, Tony Schwartz, who co-wrote, "Trump: The Art of the Deal," wrote in The Guardian that the 45th president is "significantly angrier today: more reactive, deceitful, distracted, vindictive, impulsive and, above all, self-absorbed" than when Schwartz worked on the 1987 book.
A world leader? Well, Trump has developed warm relations with tyrants like Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean chairman Kim Jong Un and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, so there are some strongmen who might want to speak for Trump. But after Trump's taunts to NATO, it is hard to imagine the leader of a long-term ally who will look back fondly on Trump's tenure.
Is there a political colleague who would say, as Simpson said of Bush, that the late president was a true friend, who stood by him in tough times, and whom "you would've wanted on your side"?
Consider the fate of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whom Trump fired after the midterm elections. Trump never forgave Sessions, the first senator to endorse Trump in the 2016 primary, for recusing himself from the Russian probe. Sessions learned the hard way that loyalty is a one-way street in Trump world.
So scratch public figures with solid reputations. At best, Trump probably could rely on praise mainly from political hit men, who hitched a ride with the only Republican who would let them near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
At least Trump can count on one of his sons to speak highly of him. Donald Jr. and Eric clearly are attached to their father. Ditto daughters Ivanka and Tiffany. (We'll leave Barron out of this discussion, as he is a minor.) But it is hard to imagine any of Trump's children extolling his kindnesses to strangers, even political foes.
The Bush family showed kindness toward Trump who had ridiculed "low energy" Jeb Bush during the 2016 GOP primary, trashed Dubya for the Iraq war and even mocked Bush 41's signature "thousand points of light," telling a rally this summer that he prefers "Make America Great Again."
This kindness was much more powerful than the snub of Trump and pointed barbs directed at him at the memorial service for Sen. John McCain in September. The McCain clan let it be known Trump was not welcome at the National Cathedral service. McCain's eulogizers used the occasion to disparage Trump -- without naming him -- as a small soul dwarfed by the legendary Vietnam POW. When it was over, both sides were further entrenched in their contempt for the other, and no one looked the better for it.
The National Cathedral send-off for the elder Bush showed Trump what can be -- as the Bushes offered Trump a place in the community of presidents.
Bill and Hillary Clinton might greet him with cold stares, but like the Bushes, Barack and Michelle Obama understand the value of civility.
Bush 41 famously befriended Bill Clinton, the Democrat who defeated him in 1992. In the traditional letter to his successor, the vanquished Bush told Clinton, "Your success is now our country's success. I am rooting hard for you. Good luck." Bush put the country before his ego.
Yes. I know, the hard-core Trump base loves the fact that Trump is a fighter, not a gracious loser. But there are plenty of Republicans who miss the days when something as human as a funeral was above politics.
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Yep.
I mean I cannot believe someone would think of writing this article, and all the while, continue to not think it made zero sense up until publishing it. This is embarrassing. No, the Bush Funeral did not raise these questions - the Bush Funeral was about President Bush - not who may or may not speak at President Trump’s funeral...I mean seriously, that’s what this author thought of? Moreover, it’s not even a question. Don Jr., Ivanka, Tiffany, Eric, Mike Pence, etc.
Mindless nonsense.
Since he could live to be 110, how the hell would anybody know?! Dumbass, f’n liberal already counting the days!?
As an uneducated white deplorable it would be my highest honor to speak at the event.
George P. Bush. He has spoken highly of Pres. Trump. Take that, Deb!
Lots of FReepers would.
I am sure there will be more people speaking for President Trump than there will be for Debra J. Saunders.
FIRST,
this is no more than a snarky article written to portray our President to be a terrible man, full of self and indecisiveness.
On the contrary, DJT is fighting everyone in DC attempting to make amends for this nation’s foibles. Personally, great satisfaction is found that he chose the GOP party rather than the D’rat party in which to do this. One would not wish to find this man glaring at you across the aisle with that inward stare.
He has his methods. As to his eulogy, it would be no surprise if he were to record the words and instruct those in charge to replay at the service. To make it really YUGE, perhaps a hologram of his likeness to hold their attention.
LORD FORBID, that any of these things should be soon. We need this man!
For sure! Trump’s funeral will have to be held in the largest stadium in the country. Tributes by military, LE, First Responders, BP, ICE, Fire Fighters, flyovers...tributes by millions of ordinary people. Train cortege crisscrossing the country. Our Donald will not go quietly into the night and be forgotten in history books.
More Salem claptrap, why not make a sticky link if this is so wonderful
The left is obsessing on Trump’s funeral now, shows what they dream of. But I’ll answer the question: if the elitists won’t speak for Trump, there are millions of regular people who will stand and say “he made my life better”. I’d take that over some uniparty hack who was once Secretary of HUD or something.
I WILL
Debra Saunders...still a stupid SF columnist
“WE WILL.”
Exactly what I was going to say.
No. Saunders on her very best day is no better than this
No.....just plain never
She’s a #Never Trumper
Don’t let that weasel fool you.
This has to be one of the lowest, classless, distasteful articles written...This bottom-feeding scum reached below the bottom to come out with this shit.....
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