Posted on 05/29/2009 8:37:52 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Remember him? He was the 43rd president of the United States. Folksy kinda guy.
Some people might have forgotten that Bush once ran the White House. Between President Obama's still-sky-high poll numbers, Dick Cheney's inability/refusal to get off the stage -- and the steel-cage death match the two staged last week over Guantanamo Bay and terrorist interrogation -- you'd be forgiven if you started thinking that Obama succeeded Cheney back in January.
And so, the man who rather magnanimously said that Obama "deserves my silence," has ended up partly breaking that vow by giving a speech on Thursday. To be exact, Bush broke it during the Q&A after his address at the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan. Asked specifically about interrogation techniques, also known as torture,
During the address Bush talked in general terms about his thought process after the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in March 2003.
"The first thing you do is ask, what's legal?" he said. "What do the lawyers say is possible? I made the decision, within the law, to get information so I can say to myself, 'I've done what it takes to do my duty to protect the American people.' I can tell you that the information we got saved lives."
But in defending his policy, he sounded nothing like his No. 2. Where Cheney speeches have been filled with vitriol and ire, Bush took pains not to disparage Obama
"Nothing I am saying is meant to criticize my successor," Bush said. "There are plenty of people who have weighed in. Trust me, having seen it firsthand. I didn't like it when a former president criticized me, so therefore I am not going to criticize my successor. I wish him all the best."
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcdfw.com ...
Bush to Break his Silence
Dallas Morning News | 11:23 AM Thu, May 28, 2009 | Lori Stahl/Reporter
Posted on 05/28/2009 11:38:33 AM PDT by meandog
Edited on 05/28/2009 11:41:03 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2260007/posts
Bush: ‘The information we got saved lives’
politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com | May 28, 2009 | Peter Hamby
Posted on 05/29/2009 5:59:57 AM PDT by NoObamaFightForConservatives
Edited on 05/29/2009 6:21:43 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2260461/posts
Thank you, Mr President, for your protection.
However, it’s way past time to play nice with the current occupant. There’s too much at stake and their empowerment depends on our silence or carefully chosen words.
President Bush’s fatal flaw was the Bush family high brow family life. He knows nothing about street fighting. I like Bush and admire his keeping the country safe for 8 years by doing what needed to be done but the guy just doesn’t has what it takes to do well on the mean streets of politics. I mean the Good Lord only gave us so many cheeks.
“... I didn’t like it when a former president criticized me, so therefore I am not going to criticize my successor....”
Thats because you have 10 times the class that a certain ‘former president’ ever will have...
Hear that Slick?
I like Bush’s comment. Clean, dignified and to the point. I’m on the fence about how much I want ex-Presidents wading into the political fight, especially having watched bubba yammer on, embarrassing us all. I’m inclined to think that scrapping should be left to others, like Cheney et al.
Here's the deal, though. Events are already catching up with Obama's big words. He's already looking feckless and weak.
Bush's (and our) best bet is to let Obama hang himself with his own (endless) words, and the sooner the better.
Anything Bush might say, would shift attention from Obama, and would allow Obama to shift the blame ... as usual.
It's the right thing for Bush to let surrogates such as Cheney do the heavy lifting at this point. The proper points are being made, without the distraction of Bush making them.
He might have meant President Jimmy Carter.
To be exact, four.
I think he especially meant Carter, who got a nobel prize for criticizing him (and cheering on the enemies of the US). (Actually Gore did, too.)
“But in defending his policy, he sounded nothing like his No. 2. Where Cheney speeches have been filled with vitriol and ire, Bush took pains not to disparage Obama “
Why should he? IN many respects their economic policies differ only be degree.
Lets see now.
First - Cheney was never around when he was needed. He did nothing to help GW.
Now - Cheney was in charge and wouldn’t let GW do his job without interfering.
Cheney this and Cheney that. I thought that GW was the President and the one who was responsible.
VP’s rarely have much more than just ceremonial responsibilities and backup as potential president in the case of an emergency.
But I keep forgetting that from the leftist view, no matter what Cheney or GW did it was wrong and that is all there is to that argument.
To hell with George.
I’m assuming that you mean Robert B George, the author of this editorial disguised as reporting.
George W. Bush is class.
I understand the class and respect that he wants to have, but there is a difference between attacking someone and standing up for yourself. Bush needs to tell the public that the current state of the economy is NOT his fault. He hasn't been in office since the end of January. The housing market isn't bouncing back, unemployment is still on the rise, bills are being passed and presented that will increase taxes, Obama has spent more in 5 months than every president put together, and Obama is blaming everything on Bush.
Mr. President (Bush), PLEASE STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT OBAMA IS KILLING THE COUNTRY!
Come on, the guy was in the National Guard during Vietnam.
I can see why you might have read that wrong. Yes, I meant the POS author.
I respect and miss the heck out of President Bush. I’m one of those unapologetic “bushbots” that don’t give a damn what others think of my beliefs regarding this wonderful guy.
Obama may be the first black to live in the White House, but Bush may very well turn out to have been the last real president this country will ever have.
“Nothing I am saying is meant to criticize my successor,” Bush said.
That’s very classy and all but milk toast doesn’t work with these street rat bastards, Jorge!....
Why do you want to disparage the thousands of men and women in the Guard who served and lost the lives protecting this country.
I think it has been sorta off limits for ex Presidents to critize their succesors.. , GHWB did not jump in on Clinton, how ever Clinton and Carter, did not care what was proper for ex presidents.. I think GWB is doing right.
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