Bush declines Ground Zero invitatio

Politico: Former President George W. Bush has turned down President Barack Obama’s invitation to join him at ground zero on Thursday, citing his desire to avoid the media glare.

"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

Osama Dead: Reactions From Bush, Romney and Palin

National Journal: I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude.

This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.

Mitt Romney's Facebook Page: This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere.
Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist.

Sarah Palin's Facebook Page: Americans tonight are united in celebration and gratitude. God bless all the brave men and women in our military and our intelligence services who contributed to carrying out the successful mission to bring Bin Laden to justice and who laid the groundwork over the years to make this victory possible. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of these brave Americans who relentlessly hunted down our enemy.

This is a victory for the American people, for the victims who were heartlessly murdered on September 11 and in Al Qaeda’s other numerous attacks, and for all the peace-loving people of the world.

May God bless our troops and our intelligence services, and God bless America!

- Sarah Palin

Via: Memeorandum
Via: National Journal
Via: Mitt Romney Facebook
Via: Sarah Palin Facebook

Bush wipes his hands on Clinton’s shirt

From Mediaite: Former President’s George W. Bush and Bill Clinton made their first joint visit to Haiti this week, touring and helping out in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital city devastated by the January earthquake.

It’s an admirable visit, but something else happened while down in Haiti – it appears Bush wiped his hand on Clinton’s shirt. Let’s go to the videotape! 

Oh boy! I watched this video like four times and my reaction is still the same, this looks bad but is kind of funny too.  I see three ways to interpret it.

Interpretation 1: A white conservative president wipes his hand after shaking a few black hands, 95% of liberals are going say it’s proof that Bush is a racist.

Interpretation 2: Bush really did get something on his hand after a handshake and slyly wiped his hand on his predecessor’s shirt. It is rascally behavior but looks kind of petty too. Note: I remember reading somewhere that Dubya might have germaphobia. If true, it would explain why Bush did not wipe his hands on his own clothes.

 

Interpretation 3: We are all reading too much into the video. Maybe Bush just lazily patted to Clinton’s shoulder.

What do you get from the video?

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Mediaite