Bush invites Obama's to White House

[DarrinS]

He was classy.

Magnanimous.

A gentleman.

Ripped for being out of touch, he chose just the right touch.

A man who critics say only mangled his words.

Conjured just the right ones.

I'm not talking about John McCain yesterday.

I'm talking about President Bush today.
McCain gave a classy speech.

The president made a classy gesture.

Offering only good words for the man who repudiated his run of the White House.

But going one better -- inviting Barack and Mic e Obama to the White House.

To see the place, and talk about the place, and the pressures of the place, in private.

These were not empty words. The president took care months ago to put a transition team in place, so that a smooth transfer of power could take place.

President Bush wasn't so lucky when he was coming in.

Maybe things were different then. A lot of ill will then. Lots of hurtful words since then.

He wasn't even running this year but it seemed everyone, including his own party's nominee, was running against him all year.

If he minded, he didn't show it.

I remember even talking to the president on the White House south lawn about it.

"Does it all bug you?," I asked.

"Nah," he said, shrugging his shoulders and adding simply, "I understand."

A man at peace with a nation seemingly at war… with him. Some for good reason, others apparently lacking reason.

He took nothing personally, always handling himself with dignity.
Not by what he said, but precisely what he did not.

I've read that the president is as kind to the elevator operator at the White House as he is a visiting head of state to the White House.

I've seen it myself. Every time I've interviewed him, he sticks around and personally shakes the hands of each member of my crew, and then hangs out for pictures. Lots of pictures.

I know, little things. But to me, big things. That bespeak of a man far bigger than the petty things I see in the press.

Or hear in a harsh campaign year.

That ended today, with a quiet gesture today.

From a president who'd be in his right to wag a finger.

But instead, simply offered his hand.

[romad_20]

Good move by Bush. I wonder if all this "come together" talk is real or just paying lip-service to the people who voted for Obama (not referring to Bush's offer here, but the overall tone from politicians)

I wonder if our politics are really on the verge of change.

[DarrinS]

Good move by Bush. I wonder if all this "come together" talk is real or just paying lip-service to the people who voted for Obama (not referring to Bush's offer here, but the overall tone from politicians)

I wonder if our politics are really on the verge of change.

From all the things I've read about Bush, I think this move is sincere. He has nothing to gain from it personally.

[hater]

Bush. He is responsible for deaths of thousands of american soldiers and tens of thousands of iraqui civilians.

he is going straight to

[DarrinS]

Bush. He is responsible for deaths of thousands of american soldiers and tens of thousands of iraqui civilians.

he is going straight to

Classy

[doobs]

Good move by Bush. I wonder if all this "come together" talk is real or just paying lip-service to the people who voted for Obama (not referring to Bush's offer here, but the overall tone from politicians)

I wonder if our politics are really on the verge of change.

What kind of change? Are we moving to the left? Yes. Will there be a surge of bipartisanship now that Obama is going to be president? no.

[Anti.Hero]

We'll see bipartisanship in the next 4 years, like Pelosi promised when she first became top dog.



Which is cool with me. Give them the reigns and see what they do.

[romad_20]

Bush. He is responsible for deaths of thousands of american soldiers and tens of thousands of iraqui civilians.

he is going straight to

I don't disagree about the war, but his time is almost over and its time to move on. Nothing can change what happened.

From all the things I've read about Bush, I think this move is sincere. He has nothing to gain from it personally.

I agree.

[romad_20]

What kind of change? Are we moving to the left? Yes. Will there be a surge of bipartisanship now that Obama is going to be president? no.

Well I'm glad you know already, but I'm trying not to be cynical. At least let me try it out

[DarrinS]

Will there be a surge of bipartisanship now that Obama is going to be president? no.

Well, I hope that conservatives will at least stand up for their principles and not just try to block legislation based on bitterness.


Not that they can block any legislation anyway. Dems are in FULL control now.

[doobs]

Well I'm glad you know already, but I'm trying not to be cynical. At least let me try it out

Fair enough. I just think this is Bush being Bush. He's a decent person who just happens to be a very unpopular president. I'm not at all cynical about Bush's motivations. I'm just realistic--OK, cynical--about what will happen over the next four years: with a Democrat Congress, Obama will govern from the left on almost all issues; Republicans will be angry and lash out (you can see this already with the treatment of Sarah "sacrificial lamb" Palin); and Republicans and Democrats will be looking forward to 2010 within a couple weeks.

This is all about Bush being a nice guy. This has nothing to do with Obama "bringing us together."

[spurster]

Somebody keep on eye on the copper.

[boutons_]

"Classy" and true.

dubya needs to drag his road-killed butt of the road and let Obama start making some calls, like shutting down Paulsen's Robbery, ASAP.

[romad_20]

Fair enough. I just think this is Bush being Bush. He's a decent person who just happens to be a very unpopular president. I'm not at all cynical about Bush's motivations. I'm just realistic--OK, cynical--about what will happen over the next four years: with a Democrat Congress, Obama will govern from the left on almost all issues; Republicans will be angry and lash out (you can see this already with the treatment of Sarah "sacrificial lamb" Palin); and Republicans and Democrats will be looking forward to 2010 within a couple weeks.

This is all about Bush being a nice guy. This has nothing to do with Obama "bringing us together."

I'm not talking about Obama bringing anyone together, I'm talking about the general at ude of most of the talking heads and politicians.

BTW, I think he'll be more center than you're giving him credit for. Only time will tell.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

"Classy" and true.

dubya needs to drag his road-killed butt of the road and let Obama start making some calls, like shutting down Paulsen's Robbery, ASAP.

something that Obama voted for. Yes.

[boutons_]

Nobody's perfect. Trusting a Repug with taxpayer $$$ is never a good idea.

[MannyIsGod]

From all the things I've read about Bush, I think this move is sincere. He has nothing to gain from it personally.

I don't see why its not a sincere move. Like you, I don't see what he could possibly gain from it.

[hater]

but his time is almost over and its time to move on.

tell that to the families of all the dead

[balli]

tell that to the families of all the dead

I agree with you. Bush is a mass-murderer in my eyes. He's brought more death and pain into the world than any other human being on the planet. At some point it'll become or already has become pointless to about, but I will never forgive him and furthermore I don't see how he escapes being ruined by what he's done.

I take Woody Allen's view

[hater]

He's brought more death and pain into the world than any other human being on the planet.

well come on. you heard about Stalin, Hitler, Mao?

Bush is up there though

[balli]

well come on. you heard about Stalin, Hitler, Mao?

Bush is up there though

Living, human being, on the planet.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Bush ..............brought more death and pain into the world than any other human being on the planet.

are you serious? are you mid bong session? do you mean on the planet-alive, or on the planet-period?

[Viva Las Espuelas]

are you serious? are you mid bong session? do you mean on the planet-alive, or on the planet-period?

ah. i should've waited, but still . just remember 7 1/2 years. the countdown starts 1/21/09

[DarrinS]

I agree with you. Bush is a mass-murderer in my eyes. He's brought more death and pain into the world than any other human being on the planet.

Wow. Just....wow.



Smoke another doobie.


EDIT> 58,000 dead Americans in Vietnam take issue with your post.

[timvp]

Damn it, even Bush is an Obama