The story that’s buried on CNN’s Political Ticker, instead of on the front page is hard to believe if you read it carefully, and also the response from the Republican Committee:
Please note the areas in italics:
Bill Clinton: George H.W. Bush will help President Hillary
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina (CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton said Monday that the first thing his wife Hillary will do when she reaches the White House is dispatch him and his predecessor, President George H.W. Bush, on an around-the-world mission to repair the damage done to America’s reputation by the current president — Bush’s son, George W. Bush.
“Well, the first thing she intends to do, because you can do this without passing a bill, the first thing she intends to do is to send me and former President Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again,” Clinton said in response to a question from a supporter about what his wife’s “number one priority” would be as president.A spokesman for the George H.W. Bush was not immediately available to comment on whether the former president would chip in some diplomatic help after his son leaves office next year. MORE
If Bush Sr. is willing to go “on an around-the-world mission to repair the damage done to America’s reputation by the current president — Bush’s son, George W. Bush” the immediate conclusion drawn from that statement is that President Bush’s own father has admitted that his son’s administration, George W, Bush, has screwed-up America’s image so badly that it will take two ex-Presidents to act as diplomats in an attempt to rebuild our image.
It’s hard for me to believe what Bill Clinton stated, however when you read the Republican Committee’s response, it certainly isn’t a denial; in fact, it doesn’t say much at all:
UPDATE: The Republican National Committee issued this statement in response to Clinton’s comments:
“In 2009, a Republican president will be working with our friends and allies abroad to continue to keep our nation safe,” said RNC spokesman Danny Diaz. “The American people expect our leaders — both current and former — to present serious solutions to the very real challenges confronting our nation.”
– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby LINK
I wouldn’t have expected Bush Sr. to admit, albeit by innuendo, to say he was going out to repair his son’s errors, but something less stunning in nature. (Or did he say it? President Bush has to be looking very dimly upon the fact his own father has offered to go out into the world with Bill Clinton to “help repair the damage.”) Bill Clinton said it, and I’ll be curious to see how this one plays out in the coming days.
Bush Sr. refused to capture Husein based on advice from his advisor’s - that it would destabilize the entire Middle-East; he is said to have been the forging factor in James Baker re-entering the political landscape with the formation of The Iraq Study Group, and now Sr. is offering to help and repair the image to America and “repair the damage” because of the ??????? of his son? Would Clinton make such a political blunder that Sr. will have to publicly speak to spin what was said, or will it get tackier with Sr. asking for an apology, that he had agreed to no such thing? Or will he simply remain silent? (Which would be a tacit admission.)
Bush and Cheney see no damage, only the chance of more profit, greed, and power - and now it appears that Bush Sr., who I have to respect for agreeing to face so many we have wronged, in his own son’s name… To me, that’s shocking news and I believe it’s front page material and doesn’t belong buried in the Political Ticker. This signals that Bush Senior is predicting a Democratic win (IMO), he isn’t siding with the Republicans and instead is more interested in protecting our image - and his legacy, and whatever he can save (if any) of his sons tarnished service as President.
William Cormier
