Conservatives Say Ted Kennedy Undeserving of Bush Award

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 11/06/03 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - When Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) arrives at Texas A&M University Friday to be honored by former President George H. W. Bush, young conservatives will be there, also - to protest.

The Young Conservatives of Texas A&M officially announced plans for what it called an "out-of-the-ordinary protest," and it is urging the public to join them.

"As conservatives, it is our duty to inform other students of Senator Kennedy's shameful record of public disservice," said Matthew Maddox, the group's chairman. "He [Kennedy] has conducted himself in a manner, both politically and personally, that the vast majority of Texans find highly objectionable."

YCT-A&M Executive Director Sarah Davis said her group "categorically disapproves of Ted Kennedy and his policies.

"Not only does he promote a socialist agenda, but he also is a supporter of heinous partial-birth abortions. He was instrumental in blocking the judicial nomination of Texan Priscilla Owen and has applied a religious litmus test to confirming judicial nominees."

Many conservatives also resent Kennedy for saying that President Bush lied in the runup to the war in Iraq.

Two months ago, after former President Bush announced his intention to honor Kennedy, the Senator blasted the former president's son, accusing President George W. Bush of going to war for his own political gain:

"There was no imminent threat," Kennedy said in September. "This was made up in Texas, announced in January to the Republican leadership that war was going to take place and was going to be good politically," The Associated Press quoted Kennedy as saying. "This whole thing was a fraud," he told the news service.

Former President George H. W. Bush surprised many people when he selected Sen. Kennedy to receive the third annual George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service. The two previous recipients were former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

The young conservatives say it's too bad Sen. Kennedy is the first American politician to receive the honor. He does not represent Aggie values, they said.

YCT State Chairman David Rushing said if the George H.W. Bush Foundation wanted to live up to its nonpartisan billing by selecting a Democrat, it could have chosen Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia; former Sen. Sam Nunn of Texas; or even former President Jimmy Carter.

"The choice of Ted Kennedy as the first American to receive this honor simply cannot be justified under any objective standard," Rushing said.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Sen. Ted Kennedy said on Wednesday that he is "deeply honored" to be receiving the Bush Foundation Award. "My family and I are looking forward to being at the university and having a chance to be with the Bush family and receive the award," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

Kennedy reportedly brushed off his criticism of the sitting president as "policy differences."

 

[Qwinn]

"Kennedy reportedly brushed off his criticism of the sitting president as "policy differences."

Sorry, oh inebriated one, but repeatedly calling someone a "liar" is not just a "policy difference". If you were only calling him that in order to advance your policy, without really thinking he lied, then you're a disgusting pig of a man and the only award you deserve is for media manipulation.

Qwinn

[DainBramage]

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. and now Ted Kennedy.

Must be some sort of Skull and Bones Inside Joke.

Akin to bestowing Physical Fitness Award to Rosie O'Donnell (knee Slap) "Get it Billingsly? Har har har!..Get it Buffy? HAR HAR HAR"

[NH Liberty]

This really does get my goat...or...at least, it *would* get my goat if I had one.

What on earth is 41 thinking? Kennedy is one of the most disgraceful, offensive politicians in U.S. history. And that description is my most charitable.

[kattracks]

I'm not sure if 41 is the one who chooses the recipient, or if a panel does it.

I read recently where 41 may have some remarks to make about this.

Let's hope so, and that they are not flattering.

[milan]

Maybe 41 is tricking him to the event and then he is going to put his boot in the manatees ass when he gets close enough?

[kattracks]

One can only hope.

[David Isaac]

Meanwhile, we conservatives who fought against Bush Sr's nomination for President in 1980 (successfully) and were then appalled to find him given the V.P. slot and later furthur appalled at his behavior while President (including his choice of Souter for S.C.) and his inability to rally his own party behind him in 92, giving us Clinton, are not the least bit surprised by his choices for this "prestigious" award.

[samtheman]

The Son should publicly criticize the Father.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Conservatives Say Ted Kennedy Undeserving of Bush Award

I never would have guessed.

[Cuttnhorse]

George Bush the senior is doing now what he did while in office; trying to have everyone like him. He must feel that by doing this the liberals will change their opinion of him and will now be his pal.

I don't get it...Ted Kennedy stands for everything wrong with our political process.

[The Other Harry]

Former President George H. W. Bush surprised many people when he selected Sen. Kennedy to receive the third annual George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service.

I'm not clear about this. I have read where the selecting was done by a committee which he has nothing to do with.

[The Other Harry]

What on earth is 41 thinking?

Please see my post #13. I don't think Bush had anything to do with that.

[FreePaul]

This is absolutely disgusting. The whole Bush family should hang their heads in shame for promoting this. If they don't realize now that sucking up to the Kennedy Klan isn't getting them anywhere I don't want them in charge of anything.

[FreedomPoster]

Fact checking. It's totally optional.

[David Isaac]

Perhaps this arrangement is similar to the Ford family not controlling the Ford Foundation. Question: Who controls either one? The choices made by both would seem to indicate that they are not overly friendly to conservatives.

[FreedomPoster]

Former President George H. W. Bush surprised many people when he selected Sen. Kennedy to receive the third annual George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service.
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YCT State Chairman David Rushing said if the George H.W. Bush Foundation wanted to live up to its nonpartisan billing by selecting a Democrat, it could have chosen . . . former President Jimmy Carter.

Anyone who thinks Jimmy Carter is deserving of an Excellence in Public Service award, based on his Presidential service, needs to hit the history books.

[kittymyrib]

Yes, the Bush Library Foundation suggested Kennedy, but if 41 couldn't have vetoed the idea, then he has a strange set-up there. This Library board should be replaced by more conservative people, but I'm sure they are some country-club RINOs that think Kennedy is a fine example of big (very big!) government. Does the taxpayer pay for these presidential libraries like the peasants paid for the tombs of the Pharoahs?

[The Other Harry]

Perhaps this arrangement is similar to the Ford family not controlling the Ford Foundation.

I think that is correct.

Question: Who controls either one?

I have no idea. I just don't think #41 had anything to do with choosing Kennedy. Maybe someone would like to shed more light.