There is a long tradition of ex presidents putting politics and differences aside once out of office. And there is a tradition of presidents reaching out to honor leaders of the opposite party.
For example Nixon did several things to honor Harry S.Truman when Nixon was in office. Yet Nixon along with Joe McCarthy had been the strongest critics of Truman when he was in office. There was bad blood between Truman and the Kennedy's. And Truman was snubbed during the JFK administration.
Truman for example went to see Herbert Hoover in New York at the end of WWII. Hoover was deeply hurt by the rejection of the American people over the depression. Truman called Hoover and asked him to head up a task force to rebuild Europe. Hover had headed a task force to restore parts of Europe after WWI. Truman asked for a meeting to discuss the projec and offered to come to New York to meet with Hoover. Hoover said it would not be proper for a President to come to him, that he should come to the President. Truman insisted and invited the press to cover his trip to New York to ask for Hoover's help. Hoover had already agreed, but Truman acted as if he was coming to New York to ask in person because it was very important for the US and the World that Hoover agree to serve. After the meeting Truman and Hoover met teh press and Truman said Hoover had immediately agreed to come out of retirement to once again serve his nation and the world.
This Kennedy thing is for history... it will show that Kennedy's are vindictive people out for power. It will show that Bush's always act in the national interest and don't hold grudges. This act will look good in the history books.
Remember that in the coming election a candidate who wins the Nice Guy award hands down can do no less than a tie. Bush's are always working for the Nice Guy award.
Note that nearly half the independents vote for the Man not the party. They vote for the man they like. They will vote against a man they don't like.
Consider 2,000. With the economy booming and Clinton's approval rating in the mid 50's Gore should have won 53 to 47. Gore was in the same position Bush Number 1 was in 1988. But Dubya won the "Likability" vote and won the election on a 50-50 split.
This time winning the independent "likability" vote is certain and winning half of the independent "Whats in it for me" vote is pretty certain too. That means a huge Bush victory.
John Armor's (Congressman BillyBob) soon to be released column talks about how the 2004 election is over. It is Bush VS Dean and that means a Bush landslide. I think John is right. It's all over but the vote counting.
If you want to know how Softball is played this Kennedy story is an example. If you want to know how hardball is played, contemplate how Dubya got the 87 billion for Iraq the way he wanted it.