Clinton Library
I caught some of the ceremonies on replay (see here to watch it all), and it was quite an event I thought. I am someone who is very caught up in the pomp and circumstance that comes along with the presidency- America's version of royalty.
It is amazing how much one can tell about these men from their walks. Bush 43 on the far left boy does he swagger! He walks as if he has just ridden into a town in the Old West on the biggest horse, with the biggest gun. Heading for the saloon, so he can tell the inhabitants that there is a new sheriff in town. (Actually, former WH press secretary Ari Fleisher actually used that phrase once, while discussing fiscal discipline.) Bush's speech later was more generous than one might expect.
Bush 45 seems so much more relaxed now than he ever did as president. He walks exactly as he is, a normal, humble, and decent man. The elder's Bush's speech was hilarious- “It has to be said that Bill Clinton was one of the most gifted American political figures in modern times. Believe me — I learned that the hard way. He made it look too easy, and oh, how I hated him for that." He confirmed that he was checking his watch in the 1992 debate to find out how long Ross Perot was going to go on for. Bush 43 looks for the first time like a man comfortable in his own skin.
Walking out next to him was Jimmy Carter. Carter walks as a man hunched over, beaten down by the rain, wizened by age, but still the simple peanut farmer he once was. The man who has been such a great ex-president discussed his first meeting with Clinton 30 years ago- Bill was of course late!
Clinton himself walks like the bigger than life character he is- he almost kicks his feet out in front of him, clown-like, as he goofily trundles down the line. While others speak and poke gentle fun at him, he would slap his knee in enjoyment when he got zinged. I thought, "Wow, he is such a Bubba!" What we liked about him is that he embodied the American dream- how a man could be born poor and to troubled circumstance could rise to become our president. What we did not like about him was not he embodied the other side of America- the struggles with his weight, with his women, with all his excesses. His remarks were mostly about unification of America towards common goals, and most notably the new Post-Arafat opportunity for peace in the Middle East.
The speeches of all four presidents were in good humor, especially given the rancorous political year. They all seem very aware of their membership in the world's most elite club. They have respect for each other, and for the office they have all held. It is a good thing for the country for these four men, two from each party can sopeak so highly of one another and present a unified front. Watching them talk amongst themselves made me feel better about each of them, and better about the shape of things in America.
It is amazing how much one can tell about these men from their walks. Bush 43 on the far left boy does he swagger! He walks as if he has just ridden into a town in the Old West on the biggest horse, with the biggest gun. Heading for the saloon, so he can tell the inhabitants that there is a new sheriff in town. (Actually, former WH press secretary Ari Fleisher actually used that phrase once, while discussing fiscal discipline.) Bush's speech later was more generous than one might expect.
Bush 45 seems so much more relaxed now than he ever did as president. He walks exactly as he is, a normal, humble, and decent man. The elder's Bush's speech was hilarious- “It has to be said that Bill Clinton was one of the most gifted American political figures in modern times. Believe me — I learned that the hard way. He made it look too easy, and oh, how I hated him for that." He confirmed that he was checking his watch in the 1992 debate to find out how long Ross Perot was going to go on for. Bush 43 looks for the first time like a man comfortable in his own skin.
Walking out next to him was Jimmy Carter. Carter walks as a man hunched over, beaten down by the rain, wizened by age, but still the simple peanut farmer he once was. The man who has been such a great ex-president discussed his first meeting with Clinton 30 years ago- Bill was of course late!
Clinton himself walks like the bigger than life character he is- he almost kicks his feet out in front of him, clown-like, as he goofily trundles down the line. While others speak and poke gentle fun at him, he would slap his knee in enjoyment when he got zinged. I thought, "Wow, he is such a Bubba!" What we liked about him is that he embodied the American dream- how a man could be born poor and to troubled circumstance could rise to become our president. What we did not like about him was not he embodied the other side of America- the struggles with his weight, with his women, with all his excesses. His remarks were mostly about unification of America towards common goals, and most notably the new Post-Arafat opportunity for peace in the Middle East.
The speeches of all four presidents were in good humor, especially given the rancorous political year. They all seem very aware of their membership in the world's most elite club. They have respect for each other, and for the office they have all held. It is a good thing for the country for these four men, two from each party can sopeak so highly of one another and present a unified front. Watching them talk amongst themselves made me feel better about each of them, and better about the shape of things in America.
posted by Scott L. Stuart at
10:48 PM
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