Jeb Bush Blasts Clinton as 'Most Self Absorbed Person' in U.S.

NewsMax.com ^ | May 31, 2003 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

Invoking unusually harsh language, Florida Governor Jeb Bush blasted ex-President Clinton on Friday as selfish and narcissistic for suggesting that the 22nd amendment be modified to allow a president to serve more than two terms.

"Bill Clinton is the most self absorbed person living in America," Gov. Bush told nationally syndicated radio host Sean Hannity.

Asked whether he was troubled by Clinton's persistent public criticism of President Bush, the first brother leveled another broadside, telling Hannity, "President Clinton wouldn't view himself being critical of anybody because he's always thinking about himself. It's all about Bill."

Such a sharp attack on a former president would be unusual coming from a member of any first family, but it's completely unprecedented coming from a close relative of President Bush, who has vowed to bring a "new tone" to national politics and to move on from the political bickering that marked the scandal-scarred Clinton era.

But Gov. Bush's candor is sure to be welcomed by conservatives, many of whom have grown frustrated watching Bill and Hillary Clinton launch one partisan salvo after another at the White House while the president's spokesmen bite their tongues.

Gov. Bush's extraordinarily frank comments about the former president came during the following exchange:

HANNITY: I want to ask you about one question. You know, your father maintained the tradition of former presidents. When he left office, he had a lot of reasons that he could have gone out there and criticized Bill Clinton. And I remember for most of the eight years Bill Clinton was president, your father was not critical in any way, shape, matter or form. And I think he showed a lot of class by doing that.

Bill Clinton has been very critical of your brother, on the other hand. Now he's even talking about repealing the 22nd amendment - not for him, of course. . .

BUSH: [laughing] Yeah

HANNITY: . . . But for future presidents. You want to weigh into these waters or . . .

BUSH: Oh boy. I'll tell you what. All I'll say is that Bill Clinton is the most self absorbed person living in America. And the tradition of former presidents not being critical of their successors, I think, is a very good one. It's why we've had transitions since the beginning of the Republic. And almost all presidents have been very respectful of that. But President Clinton wouldn't view himself being critical of anybody because he's always thinking about himself. It's all about Bill. [End of Excerpt]

[EODGUY]

When I picture clinton, I can see him pushing a little old lady out of the way to take the last available space in a lifeboat from the Titanic.....and not feeling the least bit ashamed.

I believe his propensity toward self-preservation and cowardice would have probably added more names to the Wall had he been inducted into the military, IMHO.

[cubreporter]

Gotcha...I apologize. :)

[alwaysconservative]

Amendment XXII

Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

Doesn't this disqualify Hillary from running for President, since she "acted" as co-president for eight long, miserable years?

[Springfield45]

Your comments about Prince Peanut (a/k/a Jimmy Carter) reminded me of those silly, disco-fied years when Carter was president. Ah, James Earl Carter, "The Peoples' President"...well, all the Carter-loving sycophants seem to forget what a mess he made of our military and foreign policy and how he couldn't even get our hostages out of Teheran. People forget how hateful and arrogant and snooty he sounded, scolding the American people about energy conservation.
As a Georgian, I had to put up with my home state and hometown's snootiness about Carter but it was pure satisfaction the day the results came in showing that Reagan blew Carter to pieces in the polls. America was pretty much sick of him. I think the media is so desperate for a DemoPimp with a reputation for "honesty", they'll take almost anybody.

[b4its2late]

And Jeb is correct Carl. I like your articles Carl. Thanks for writing them and thanks for posting them here at FR!

[onyx]

LOL! Thanks for such a brilliant "take" on Carter. I can't stand him. Oh wait, you probably knew that from my earlier post!

If you're still in Geirgia, I hope you'll be supporting Herman Cain for US Senate!

[Atchafalaya]

Makes two of us; anybody else agree?

[ambrose]

Repeal the 22nd Amendment, and let's have a showdown in '08 between Jeb and Slick!

[Atchafalaya]

Yeah, and you wonder. The old Charlie Pride song "Behind Closed Doors"; to be a fly on the wall. Your comment speaks volumes.

[exDemMom]

the most characteristic thing about both clintons is their ability to appear normal.

Then, inevitably, they open their mouths and reveal the truth. (I mean the truth that they are not normal, that is--they are not actually able to utter the truth.)

[Atchafalaya]

They appear normal and to some supernatural. liberalnot's got it right; they work (hard too) to appear normal to catch the middle. That is the segment they need to get to allow Hillary a shot. No middle, no joy! She must be going nuts because I'm sure her attack plans have been discombobulated by 911, Iraq. Eff both of them and the ideals that drive them!

[davidosborne]

[John O]

In OUR culture, NO "Religion" can EVER have "Political Ascendancy" over our "Culture of Law!"

We must NEVER ALLOW ANY "Religion" to dominate our Civil Law!.

In Short, our Civil Law MUST BE the basis of our Civilization. There can be NO HIGHER LAW for our culture than our "Civil Law!"

Of course our civil law is all founded upon the Judeo-Christian law. Only the Judeo-Christian ethic can exist in a republican society. All other religions eventually become repressive. God has blessed us greatly by giving us a Christian foundation in this country. (BTW - separation of church and state is not a valid Constitutional requirement)

[Sir Valentino]

The old Charlie Pride song "Behind Closed Doors"

Charlie RIch.

[liberalnot]

to you and me.

but to their constituency, they appear normal.

[biblewonk]

I wonder if he casts a reflection.

[lurky]

"President Clinton wouldn't view himself being critical of anybody because he's always thinking about himself. It's all about Bill."

Truer words...

It's refreshing to hear.

[ohioWfan]

WAY TO GO, JEB!! True words were never spoken......

Did you guys see this?? And this is the NICE guy brother! Can you imagine what W (the 'direct' one) would say if he could??

[ohioWfan]

oops.....TrueR words......

[Brad’s Gramma]

Holy COW! How big is he, anyway? Height, weight, etc.? He looks like a GIANT in that pic.

A big fuzzy warm giant....

President Jeb Bush. Sounds GREAT!