Posted on 08/19/2005 4:41:00 AM PDT by presidio9
Newt and Hillary pose on the Capitol steps showing a teasing delight in each other's company as they back, together, a new health-care scheme. John McCain and Hillary pose laughing with reporters and showing bipartisan closeness as they leave together on a fact-finding trip to Alaska. I saw the latter picture yesterday on the news, remembered the former, and thought of a conversation with a group of conservatives from throughout the country a few weeks ago.
The subject turned to the growing friendship between the Bush seniors and Bill Clinton. They had famously bonded big-time during their tsunami fund-raising efforts, and Barbara Bush is reported now to call Mr. Clinton "son." Mr. Clinton has been up to Kennebunkport this summer to play golf with his fellow former president, go boating, and have a private dinner.
In our conversation someone called the growing chumminess "creepy" and asked what I thought of it. I said I found it creepy too. What, I was asked, did I think was behind it? Why are Mr. Bush senior and Mr. Clinton so publicly embracing each other, yukking it up for the cameras and complimenting each other?
Because it serves their individual needs and interests, I said. They both get real benefit out of it while appearing to be ignoring their own interests. That's a great twofer.
What does Democrat Bill Clinton get out of cultivating the Republican Bushes? He gets public approval from a man most of the country sees as personally upstanding. When Mr. Bush puts his arm around Mr. Clinton, he confers his rectitude. Democrats won't mind it, and independent voters will like it. In receiving the embrace of the patriarch of such a famously Republican family, Mr. Clinton looks like someone who is, by definition, nonradical, mainstream, not too unacceptably odd and
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
Creepy, no. Sick, disgusting, and very scary is a start.
It's August. Apparently nutty stories are not confined to the leftists in the press. Why isn't Peggy writing about Able Danger, World Youth Day..... something actually happening NOW?
Maybe when she said Son she said the other three words under her breath.
The Libs think Clinton is helping GHWB improve his image.
This is another Rovian plot.
If you embrace Bill it suggests that all the evil we associated with him were all because of Hillary. This 'relationship' with the Bushes marginalizes her.
Perhaps it's just one of the ways they try to carry God's message to the sinners in hope of having a positive impact. Jesus hung around the human trash because they needed His help and influence more than others (the sick need the doctor, not the well). Let's just pray is has some effect.
Ah yes... the Venkman Factor!
It reminds me of the old insult, "You will either die on the gallows or of a loathsome disease." The rejoinder was, "It depends on whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."
The Clintons should be avoided at all times. They crave acceptance and do not deserve it.
McCain is another disgrace (a perpetual one at that) going on a tree-hugging junket with Hillary.
It is the suggestion, or the suspicion, that these men have grown close because they are not serious, were never quite serious, that grates. That makes one wonder. That leaves some Republicans, and I have to assume more than a few Democrats, scratching their heads when they see Newt smiling with Hillary, and John McCain giggling with Hillary. It leaves you wondering: Why are these people laughing?
Noonan pretty much captures the essence of modern politics, where ideological differences are only skin deep -- until elections roll around, of course, and all those "icky little people" must be persuaded there is actually some reason to vote.
Maybe Bush I is longing for a BJ and wants to learn the intricacies of Cigar dipping?
Maybe Bush I will be seeking the Republican presidential nomination. He is eligible to serve another term.
They're ALL starting to creep me out.
Maybe Bill recognizes something he's missed his entire life. NORMALCY
I prefer the son over the father.
Why?...
...a poster once noted, not too long ago, that maybe Peg is a bit disgruntled because she didn't get the 'speech writing postition' for President Bush, and was recently filled by someone else.
Piling on Bush....when, like you said, Able Danger is gaining steam.
Like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I don't think that there is true friendship between the Clintons and Bushs. The Bushs are too smart for that. IMHO
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