Posted on 06/12/2012 8:43:44 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
On the occasion of his 88th birthday, former President George H. W.. Bush is old enough to contemplate his own mortality — but young at heart enough to discuss Justin Bieber and plan a skydiving trip when he turns 90.
Stories from Matthew McConaughey Steps Out Wearing Bush sat down with his granddaughter, TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager, to discuss everything from getting old to “The Bieber” to having an aircraft carrier named after him. The interview came less than two weeks after the 41st president’s return to the White House, where he watched as the presidential portrait of his son (and Jenna’s father), former President George W. Bush, was unveiled.
“It was exciting,’’ Bush said of that May 31 ceremony. “Any time you go there, there's a certain sense of awe and wonder about the experience, and a lot of memories come flooding back. It was hard to describe it and the total majesty.”
George W. Bush’s portrait will be placed next to his father’s own presidential portrait. “Isn't that sweet?’’ Bush told his granddaughter. “It’s very nice, and we’re pleased. Two presidents in one family, that's pretty good. We're both lucky to have served. He had two terms as president and did a great job. I'm proud to be next to your dad there, very proud.’’
While the younger Bush was a two-term president, the elder Bush was defeated in his 1992 reelection bid by Bill Clinton.
(Excerpt) Read more at today.msnbc.msn.com ...
Mr. President Bush is a very good man, but one whose time had passed. By 1992, the world was changing rapidly, in part due to the fall of communism, which he had a supporting part in. President Bush was heir to an enormously successful presidency, but had a tendency to want to apologize for it rather than defend it.
He is a remarkable patriot, but did not have the stomach for the political fight. I am still amazed that he went from 90% approval rating after Desert Storm to defeat almost overnight. Breaking the tax pledge, appointing Justice Souter were the lows. His acknowledgement of growing political correctness in a speech at Univ. of Michigan was an opportunity he didn’t engage. Appointment of Justice Thomas was a tremendous credit to Pres. Bush. In summary, great opportunities, mixed bag of results. He was not the man to lead the 90’s.
If he hadn’t been such a RINO he would have beaten Klinton - I was one of MANY Repubs that would not vote for him.
The 19% vote for Perot in ‘92 scared the bejeebers out of the Republicans. That is how we got the Contract for America, Newt Gingrich, and, for the first time in 40 years, a Republican Congress in 1994.
We had two bad years of Clinton, and two good years where reforms were put in place that led to a prosperous decade.
However, the re-election of Clinton in 1996 was completely the RINOs fault.
Yep! I voted for Bush despite that, but he fell for the bait and couldn't out Sugar Daddy Clinton. It killed any enthusiasm I had for Bush, which had already been wounded with his (don't) read my lips blunder. Wimp written all over him.
Mr. President Bush is a very good man, but one whose time had passed. By 1992, the world was changing rapidly, in part due to the fall of communism, which he had a supporting part in. President Bush was heir to an enormously successful presidency, but had a tendency to want to apologize for it rather than defend it.
He is a remarkable patriot, but did not have the stomach for the political fight. I am still amazed that he went from 90% approval rating after Desert Storm to defeat almost overnight. Breaking the tax pledge, appointing Justice Souter were the lows. His acknowledgement of growing political correctness in a speech at Univ. of Michigan was an opportunity he didn’t engage. Appointment of Justice Thomas was a tremendous credit to Pres. Bush. In summary, great opportunities, mixed bag of results. He was not the man to lead the 90’s.
As well we should.
Many years ago, Reagan made a deal -- he'd raise taxes if the Democrats cut spending. Democrats didn't keep up their end.
GHW Bush promised "no new taxes" but then was persuaded to raise taxes. That helped Democrats, not him.
Do you see Democrats compromising on abortion? Capital Punishment? Homosexual marriage? ANWR? Keystone pipeline?
Compromising only works one way -- they win, we lose.
I completely and utterly oppose compromising. Let the government come to a screeching halt: if the Democrats will not compromise their failed policies, then it's on their head.
George H. W. worked hard, but Perot and Bill teamed up and worked harder.
This is the biggest reason for the loss of Manufacturing jobs behind regulations and taxes. Certainly much more than NAFTA.
They claim “no new taxes” is what cost Bush the election. Obama promised the same thing and has raised and created new taxes and no presstitute brings up that meme.
When Bush was up for re-election in 2004 and they had the bogus exit polls they were using to suppress voter turnout, ALL of the networks used the same talking points for the first 10 minutes, “Well, it’s just like his father’s one term presidency...’It’s the economy, stupid’”.
11 minutes after the polls closed, the first REAL numbers rolling in showed it wasn’t going to be a blow out against Boosh.
“....to discuss everything from getting old to “The Bieber” to having an aircraft carrier named after him.”
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Justin Bieber will have an aircraft carrier named after him?
Why not? Someday a USN ship will be named after Bambi, anyway.
Why so cynical? It’s the birthday of an important national figure... one I like and respect.
There are actually some here who continue to assert that Bush would have lost the election without Perot.
That is so simple minded. All the Perot voters were super fiscal conservatives. they would never have voted for Clinton.
If Perot had not been in the race, they would have voted for Bush. Maybe without great enthusiasm but they would have done it.
Perot had (and has) a deep personal animus for Bush. The why has been speculated on, but no one denies it existed.
“Not really sir... but most Americans fell for the smooth talkin’ Slick One in ‘92 just like The One in ‘08. Some things never change.”
Without Ross Perot, 1992 wouldn’t have been close.
Your post and your tagline both show extreme ignorance.
Compassionate conservative was the by-line of George W. Bush, not George H.W.
Not if he is found to be ineligible. Pray for Sheriff Arpaio and his upcoming press conference.
I agree with you.
He gave up and laid down.
Bush 1 was nothing but a big government socialist like his son. Together they destroyed alot of what Reagan set up.
...zzzzzzzz....
G.H.W. Bush earned his defeat almost as much as Carter did!
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