Bush's Gracious and Cooperative Attitude Toward Obama
In the final days of his presidency, Bush's conciliatory attitude is a reminder of what might have been
Democratic strategists, including many linked to Congress who have battled the Bush administration for the past eight years, say such a spirit of comity is long overdue. It's unclear whether it will last much beyond Inauguration Day.
- Read more about Bush's legacy.
- Read more about Obama's team.
- Read more by Kenneth T. Walsh.
Reader Comments
Presidential Protocol & Influence
Since President Carter is becoming aged, it seems logical to view the list of 3 living Presidents with a vision that there may soon be 3 of which Bush may be the only Republican, and the only one with long family ties to the Presidency since neither Clinton nor Obama arrived through family ties as Bush did.
As the sole Republican President of the 3, it could make for a Presidential history that unfairly advantages Democrats given the ages of the 3 Presidents living, and to the extent that former Presidents are called upon at all as cohesive factors in political parties, or in reviving Presidential politics, Republicans face a waning influence but for the Bushes.
That does not necessarily say that it is a bad thing, but one that must be taken into account in the public sphere as both an opportunity as well as a danger in public perception of importance.
If there were no living Presidents, there would be little personal experience to draw upon since the only thing available would be books, records, and films, and historic revisionism. That there are 3, and the ages are relatively young, suggests that all three will be around for some time to help to define American obligations, and American promise/vulnerabilities - but tied to their own experiences in the White House.
Such valuable commodities should not be wasted, especially in uncertain times.
A lasting legacy that will take years to straighten out
To a war monger president and his so called "veep" who's respect for the consitution "Hey I'm president and I can do what ever I want!" Is that not right DICK!
Mega tax cuts to the ultra rich and his oil buddies, and the deregulation of banks and other insitutions have now put this country into a death sprial!
A war that was him and his daddys top priorty that should have never been fought and lying to the American people about the WMD!
The famous "bring it on" attitude from him and his chicken hawks and the stupid looking stride of him acting like a top gun pilot in the backgroung of the banner Mission Accomplished which brought on more deaths and WIA!
HAIL TO THE CHIEF? I don't think so!
war crimes
My guess is that the outgoing administration is trying to make nice now for legacy's sake and perhaps also to reduce the slim chance of being charged in the U.S. with war crimes. Bush will probably need a blanket pardon sooner rather than later once more dirt starts pouring out.
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