"President Bush appreciated the invite, but has chosen in his post-presidency to remain largely out of the spotlight,” Bush spokesman David Sherzer told POLITICO in an email Tuesday night. “He continues to celebrate with all Americans this important victory in the war on terror.”
Obama — who has sharply criticized Bush for neglecting the hunt for bin Laden by invading Iraq — made the offer to Bush shortly after he decided on his New York trip, according to two people familiar with the situation. [MORE]
I wonder if Bush is being a classy guy or is he being politically astute in this decision?
On one hand, it is classy to allow Obama the full spotlight he has earned. Despite not catching Osama, much of what Bush did to keep us safe after 9/11 played an important role in finding Osama. Plus, there are still strong memories linking Bush to Ground Zero. Thus for Bush to attend, there is some possibility for him to steal a little of Obama's thunder.
On the other hand it would be politically wise not to attend, given that Obama has not missed a single opportunity to blame Bush and throw him under the bus for everything under the sun. Furthermore, Obama has been known to slam his invited guests (e.g. Paul Ryan during Obama's deficit speech). There is good reason for Bush to believe that his attendance was required only to serve as a visual punching bag for Obama.
Whatever the case maybe, we won't know for sure until Obama is out of office, because Bush follows the unofficial rule of past presidents not criticizing the current president.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico
Obama — who has sharply criticized Bush for neglecting the hunt for bin Laden by invading Iraq — made the offer to Bush shortly after he decided on his New York trip, according to two people familiar with the situation. [MORE]
I wonder if Bush is being a classy guy or is he being politically astute in this decision?
On one hand, it is classy to allow Obama the full spotlight he has earned. Despite not catching Osama, much of what Bush did to keep us safe after 9/11 played an important role in finding Osama. Plus, there are still strong memories linking Bush to Ground Zero. Thus for Bush to attend, there is some possibility for him to steal a little of Obama's thunder.
On the other hand it would be politically wise not to attend, given that Obama has not missed a single opportunity to blame Bush and throw him under the bus for everything under the sun. Furthermore, Obama has been known to slam his invited guests (e.g. Paul Ryan during Obama's deficit speech). There is good reason for Bush to believe that his attendance was required only to serve as a visual punching bag for Obama.
Whatever the case maybe, we won't know for sure until Obama is out of office, because Bush follows the unofficial rule of past presidents not criticizing the current president.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico
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9 comments:
I Didn't really like Bush and did not agree with a lot of things he did, but I find myself respecting him more and more. So far the last two years did prove a lot of things Bush did to be correct.
Now, if we can only fire all those TSA junk-grabbers.
2nd anony
I choose to think it's a classy decision - Bush has shown nothing BUT class since his retirement. On the other hand, I'm sure Clinton will be there, still wishing 911 had happened on his watch. Let Obama have the spotlight - those who pay attention know he campaigned on undoing EVERYTHING Bush had set into place to catch OBL... give him his moment of glory - the economy is still in the tank and gas has hit $4/gallon... and nothing's gonna take THAT off the front page for long
There are many things I question about Bush. Did he cheat his way in? Remember his "war chest" from the 2000 election? I question WHY Bush went to TX during the Katrina mess. WHY did Bush reduce the number of our fighting forces in the military by 1/2 and invade 2 countries. WHY did he not simply choke off the funds to terrorism by simply increasing domestic energy production to the point where opec money (the vast majority or islamofascist funding) was cut off. Our economy would be booming right now and Iran's new government would be at the negotiating table signing a long term peace deal. That being said, while I question the logic behind many of Bush's decisions, I do not question his patriotism and love for this country. I simply think he was/is wrong on many issues. Bush governed just like his father who Reagan didn't exactly hold in high regard, because of policy issues far more than personality. Maybe next time (before we EVEN THINK OF ELECTING JEB) we will remember that the apple doesn't often fall far from the tree.
How many times must people be savaged by the Prez before the message sinks in?
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well, well . I am not surprised that Bush delined to Obama invited to Ground Zero because obama did terrible way to said to Bush day after selected to be president. Bush came to visited Vet. hospital and Obama told him leave that was a terrible way he did pretty loud selfish and he is not a welcome person at all ! He means of all I ever see like that that shamed . He never apology to Bush at all for what he did and he never said welcome to Bush did worked hard long time at all not even word to him but he did called him that Osama bin dead, what kind of Obama is that ? that is not suitable how he act like that . Bush will not accepted him even since then . Wow ! Its pretty loud! Obama think himself that is all he does and he can not accepted to be lose. I am not pleasant for what he did was WRONG! He is not get credit for it period.
i can't believe you're saying that obama deserves credit for this. i truly believe he doesn't. ..i usually don't disagree with you, but on this case, we are very opposed! but i do think Bush did the right thing by staying away and declining the invite!
I think it might be a little bit of both. Bush has shown himself to be above pettiness and clearly wants to put his presidency behind him (that being that particular chapter of his life is over and wants to start a new one). I also think Obama would like to lord this over Bush.
Just my thoughts.
I have heard on talk radio that GWB is planning to be at Ground Zero, on the 10th Anniversary of that horrid day. Therefore, there is no reason why he should be there beforehand. Let Obama have his victory lap, and make a fool out of himself, in the long run. While I disagree with many things that Bush did, Bush has been a classy guy, especially since getting out of office, by not criticizing his predecessor, and welcoming home returning troops at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. However, he wants to stay out of the spotlight, overall, and you have to respect him for that.
Glenn Beck today said that Obama had also invited Bill Clinton to be there at Ground Zero with him and even Clinton turned Obama down.
You know it had to be a bad photo-op idea for Clinton to stay away.
SB Smith
TX
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