Posted on 01/09/2005 12:55:28 PM PST by wagglebee
Four years ago George W. Bush used to call him "the shadow" and promised a fresh start by pledging to "uphold the honor and dignity" of the presidency. He even joked to late-night TV's David Letterman that one of his top 10 priorities in the White House would be to give the Oval Office "one heck of a scrubbing."
But when President Bush welcomed Bill Clinton into that same office last week, those barbs were ancient history. After Clinton remarked how much he liked the new Oval Office rug, Bush encouraged him to praise his interior designer-Laura. (He did.) Over lunch with the president's father, the compliments flowed the other way. When Bush 41 inquired whether Chelsea Clinton had marriage plans, Bush 43 declared how impressed he was with the former president's daughter.
For two men at opposite ends of the political spectrum, the relationship between the 43rd and 42nd presidents has grown surprisingly warm and personal over the last six months. Clinton endorsed Bush's approach to the tsunami catastrophe, defending him against criticism about his initial response as well as raising cash alongside the president's father. Friends and aides say the two men enjoy each other's company and, as fellow pros, respect each other's political talents.
The rapid thaw started with the unveiling of Clinton's official portrait in the White House in June, when Bush told his speechwriters he wanted to deliver something "very praiseworthy, warm, funny and short." During Clinton's recent health crisis, Bush called twice to share what one of the former president's aides called "good, funny conversations." And in November, at the opening of Clinton's presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., both the president and his father delivered praise that Clinton reveled in. Clinton even pulled aside Karl Rove, the architect of Bush's election success, to congratulate him.
While aides on both sides say there's still a political chasm between the two presidents, they also point to a common style: both are Southern politicians who love to woo crowds, and whose qualities were underestimated by Washington's establishment. There's also Bush's future membership in one of the smallest elites on the planet: the ex-presidents' club. "And they're members of an even more exclusive club-the two-termers," noted one senior administration official. "To go back to the people for affirmation and be there for eight years puts them in a different class." Bush's aides said the president is already thinking of his own presidential -- library plans as well as his own role after 2008, as another relatively young ex-president.
Just don't expect the working partnership to extend to Hillary Clinton, whose supporters want her to run in four years. "Honestly, I don't think getting together with George Bush is what she needs," said one ex-Clinton aide. Friendships may blossom between ex-presidents, but presidential hopefuls live in a far more hostile world.
Exactly!
But .. an ingredient the libs have no concept of is that the President, as a Christian, is just doing what Christians do - fishing for lost souls.
I seriously doubt it if Bill Clinton has one "true friend" in the world. Instead he has hundreds of acquaintances plus people who he is either using, or they are using him, all the while both are feigning friendship. But a true friend is doubtful.
I agree. Newsweek knows that they and all of the other leftists have to bow down to BJ, but they are surprised that Republicans have a sense of dignity that keeps them from treating the Stainmaster like a piece of garbage.
the heart surgery may have brought some grace into what was once a hollow organ....
BJ Klintoon is surrounded by hundreds who are literally scared to death to cross him.
Klintler only liked the new Oval Office rug because there were no scootch-marks on it.
Clinton can be a very valuable tool for Republicans. We just need to pull him out at the right times.
Actually, this is Newsmax's "story" about Clinton and Bush, trying to make them sound like best buds.
And you need to ask yourself why they'd take the time to do that.
It's similar to the way I treat my liberal, dimwitted sister-in-law. She doesn't deserve my respect, but I do it for my husband's sake.
Exactly..They are forgetting that Bush is a true gentleman and that they are working for a common cause.
I think Newsweek has misinterpreted Bush's politeness and a deeply held belief that the office of the President,
Smart politics. Dems can't criticize too much as they would be criticizing their favorite boy.
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
I don't actually think that Bush and Klintoon are working for any "common" cause.
Lemmesee if I can rationalize this. Bush said he wanted to restore the presidency. Clintoon was not removed from office, thusly still in the ex-prez club. So, to rehabilitate the office, you must also rehabilitate the ex. There's a downside to compassion, I guesss...
You sir, must be an optimist. ;)
...President Bush whacked him upside the head with a rolled-up newspaper and said, "Down, boy! Not on the new rug."
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