Posted on 06/11/2005 1:16:25 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: Other than his weekly radio address, the President and First Lady are spending a quiet weekend. No word on whether they are at the White House or at Camp David. The following bit of news is from the Texas media.
Former President Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush to celebrate their birthdays Friday
Former President George H. W. Bush celebrated his 80th birthday last year by skydiving from a plane 12,000 feet above the Bush Presidential Library in College Station.
This year the former president and former First Lady Barbara Bush will celebrate his 81st birthday on the ground during a low-profile party with family and friends Friday at the library.
Museum volunteers will serve cake and refreshments and visitors may sign a large birthday card for the former first couple.
Those who aren’t able to visit Friday may send birthday greetings through the museum’s web site. Click here to send them your birthday wishes.
PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: Although no schedule update was provided in the White House press briefing yesterday, the President, himself, talked about his schedule in his radio address today.
On Tuesday, I will discuss Social Security reform with young people in Pennsylvania.
On Wednesday, I will address the Energy Efficiency Forum here in Washington, and renew my call for Congress to act on the energy plan I proposed four years ago. Today's high energy prices are like a tax that drags on our economy. We must ensure that American families and small businesses have access to a reliable supply of affordable energy. My energy strategy will lessen our dependence on foreign oil by encouraging conservation, promoting domestic production in environmentally friendly ways, and funding promising new sources of energy such as hydrogen, ethanol, and biodiesel. It will also modernize our aging electricity grid. The House has passed a good energy bill; now the American people expect the Senate to act. For the sake of our economic and national security, Congress needs to get a good energy bill to my desk by August.
On Thursday and Friday, I will discuss a key element of ensuring health care security for our nation's seniors.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: First a brief background: In 2000, when then Texas Gov. Bush was running for president, Kweisi Mfume, a former Democrat congressman, was the new head of the NAACP. When he was in Congress, he was one of the most intensely partisan members of the Dem and Congressional Black caucuses. In 2000, under his direction, the NAACP put out the most vicious TV ads in black areas nationwide against GWB. They essentially accused GWB of being responsible for the dragging death of a black man in Texas while he was governor. That background provides some context for the following excerpts from Press Secretary Scott McClellan's press briefing yesterday.
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, April. [Wolfstar's note: I wish I knew who "April" is.]
Q Scott, on a whole new subject, if I may. On the NAACP, apparently the NAACP has found their next leader to replace Kweisi Mfume, Bruce Gordon, from the corporate sector. He'll be voted on, on June 25th --
MR. McCLELLAN: You're announcing him for the NAACP.
Q I broke the story, I know. So, anyway, here's the deal --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we'll find out if you had the scoop.
Q I did. Anyway, Mr. Gordon is from corporate America, and some of the critics are saying that if you pick someone from corporate America, they can reach to both sides of the aisle, Democrats and Republicans. And the NAACP is definitely trying to make an attempt to reach to this administration, who has felt for many years that there has been a tumultuous relationship. If indeed Mr. Gordon, which he is, will be the next President of the organization, what is the White House willing to do to mend this relationship as they are trying to reach out to you and this administration?
MR. McCLELLAN: You know how much I like the "what if" questions, first of all. In terms of the President, the President has always been someone who is willing to reach out and work with those who want to find common ground to get things done. That is one of the hallmarks of his leadership over the course of the entire time he's been in public service. People have to reach back, as well. And the President had a good relationship with Kweisi Mfume; I think they had some good discussions during his tenure. And we look forward to working with all those who want to find ways to get things done.
Q So the organization has tried to build on another session with the President, after Mr. Mfume's meeting last year, end of last year. Once this person is announced, do you think the President will allow for another meeting? Because Mr. Mfume did say at the stakeout that he was hopeful that another meeting with the NAACP --
MR. McCLELLAN: As I said, the President is always willing to work with those who want to find common ground, and try to get things done and work in a constructive way. And part of that means focusing on how we can all elevate the discourse. The President has elevated the discourse. The President has worked to change the tone here in this town, where oftentimes it becomes bitter and partisan. And, unfortunately, it's tough to kind of kind of crack that.
Pinging you to the Saturday Dose.
Michael A. Battle
Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys
U.S. Department of Justice
This administration has been by far the most diverse in U.S. history. Can they all be "Uncle Toms" and "Oreos," whatever the comparable terms are for Americans of Hispanic, Asian, Arab, Jewish and other ethnicities?
First. Thanks.
Governor George W. Bush shares a laugh with his brother, Governor Jeb Bush, and friend, Chuck Norris, at the Dedication of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. 07 Nov 97
Former President George H. Bush; Former President of Poland, Lech Walesa; and Texas Governor, George W. Bush, at the Dedication Ceremonies of the George Bush Presidential Library. 06 Nov 97
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75th Birthday Celebration for Former President George H. W. Bush, 10 Jun 99
Thank you for doing this.
George H. W.'s father, Prescott Bush, playing baseball for Yale University,circa 1917.
George H. W. Bush and his little sister, Nancy, circa 1928.
The George H. Bush family (l-r front row - Neil, Marvin, Jeb; back row - Doro, George W., Barbara, George H.), early 1960s.
Wow! thanks
Love them.
Depending on the time of year this was taken, GWB was either approaching three or had just turned three when he went "swimming" in the wash tub, Midland, TX. circa 1949.
George W. Bush wearing a cowboy outfit as he sits on a pony, circa 1949-1950. The date puts him between three and four in this photo.
Wow! EXCELLENT pics!
Here's GWB with his beautiful collie, 11 Feb 54. "Lassie" was a big hit on TV back then, which may be why he wanted a collie. In Feb. 1954 the future president was seven years old.
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