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.
Trump is winning. If he continues to win, there well be multiple speakers at his funeral.
He has already done more than many past presidents.
The author has so many false premises in the story as to be pathetic.
I’m sure we could find more than a few among the 63 million of us who voted for Trump and are glad we did who will speak and they won’t be the bootlicking hypocrites I’ve seen that proudly “cross the aisle” in the Republican Party.
Woman of few words: Sara Huckabee, foreign leader: Benjamin Netanyahu, onetime ally in Congress: Jim Jordan, Lindsay Graham, and his two eldest sons.
She is the token “conservative” columnist in SF
Meanwhile the LSM (lame stream media) would be peeing in their pants/panties with joy over his death.
That the political elite would not speak for OUR president is a solid PLUS !!! WE THE PEOPLE will speak for him.
President Donald J. Trump will outlive ALL of his enemies.
Sessions learned that loyalty was a one way street? Are you freaking kidding me. Sessions, the ultimate disloyal member of Trump”s cabinet. He got everything he deserved and should have gotten even more scorn and humiliation.
More timely, what of Jimmy Carter?
Of which the petty author just violated this.
Even Jeb said Trump could not be more gracious.
What a slimy, smarmy writer
Who will speak glowing thinks about Bill Clinton? I guess his brother W could do it. All such hypocrites.
If one of them (or some unbalanced person inspired by their rhetoric) does succeed in killing the President, what would The New York Times' headline be? "Our long national nightmare is over" (quoting Jerry Ford)?
My answer:
OVER 60 Million.
That warms the cockles of my heart. So true.
I will.
And so will a bunch of other Normal Americans.
He does not belong to the pundits, power hungry liberals, the NWO or snowflakes.
He is one of ours.
History will speak for Trump.
I watched about five hours of the President Bush funeral ceremonies: two churches and one rotunda. Excellent pageantry, clear rituals, genuine prayers to Jesus and wonderful choirs.
The speeches all seemed fake. Sure, senior Bush was a military man and president. But was he the role model of kindness, grace and service? No way. Bush Sr. was a wimpy president who coasted on the greatness of others.
Also, no one mentioned the name of Reagan in five hours. Sad.
Thankfully, America knows how to put on a dignified funeral for a president. All the military were honorable and all the visitors were free to express their faith.
Funny how Episcopalians use Catholic rituals and still reject Catholicism.
Pity the poor security agents who have to watch Clinton and Obama. Dreadful.
Trump’s funeral will be attended by the people who admire him. Millions.
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