"Fox News Sunday" featured a fabulous interview with Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush today demonstrating that regardless of their political leaning, these are two fine gentlemen who deeply love their country and have the utmost respect for the office they held.
What was particularly fascinating was how they both had nothing but positive things to say about president-elect Barack Obama, as well as his cabinet picks, and that they refused to say anything negative about him.
In fact, if you forward to minute 3:00 of the video embedded below the fold, you'll witness an absolutely marvelous discussion about why they believe former presidents should keep their opposing views of the current executive to themselves, as well as what they think of administration leakers and those that write tell-all books for financial gain (partial transcript follows as well):
BRIT HUME, HOST: Now, you've watched this range of appointments that Barack Obama has announced; your take on it, your feeling about it?THE PRESIDENT: I've been impressed.
HUME: Why?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, because, one, he showed decisiveness. Two, he has picked people that are capable and competent people. And I think he's had a very good transition. And frankly, I think Josh Bolten, my Chief of Staff, and the people that work here in the White House have also had a good transition because they have reached out to the President-elect's team at all levels. And the message is we want there to be a seamless move from us leaving and you coming in, and we want you to succeed.
And so I've been very pleased with what I've seen since the election.
HUME: Do you agree with that?
FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, totally. Totally. And if I didn't, I wouldn't tell you - same policy. (Laughter.)
HUME: Well, what - look, you - this is very like you, and like you, as well, to refrain from comment on the other political figures, the incumbent President and so on. Why?
FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, why be out there looking like you're carping and criticizing and know everything? I mean, I've heard what the President said about President Obama, President-Elect Obama. I feel the same way; support him where you can, and don't go out there criticizing and carping. You look small yourself for one thing, but that's not the main reason; the main reason is he needs support. And if it's something you disagree with violently, sit on the sidelines and shut up.
THE PRESIDENT: There will be plenty of opportunities for people to carp, trust me. I mean, this is a job that -
FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH: Oh, yes, I know there will.
THE PRESIDENT: - and Dad knows as well as anybody, you'll get plenty of opinions when you're the President, and you'll get plenty of flattering statements, and you'll get your fair share of not so complimentary comments.
I also remember what it was like to have people disappoint you. I mean, you'll be picking up the newspaper and reading comments from people that you just say, well, I just can't believe that that person would be so kind of not respectful of their own office, much less yours, to call those kind of names. And to me that has been the biggest disappointment in the political process up here; there has been this kind of bitterness by a few people to the point where they don't want to have a logical discussion or a civil discussion about policy, they just want to tear you down.
HUME: Do you think that's gotten worse since your days in the White House?
FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH: I don't know that it's gotten worse, but it's offensive, very offensive. And I always - I'll agree with the President that when you have somebody you have your own trust in, and that person for his own gain - thinks it's for his own gain - goes out and gives kind of "here's the inside story," is what they're saying, "but here's what's really happening," playing the leak game. It's just horrible. And every administration has that. But I think President George Bush here has been lucky, there hasn't been that many of them.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH: And I think we were pretty lucky.
How refreshing.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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President Bush is far to
January 11, 2009 - 23:19 ET by BDPresident Bush is far to gracious. It is probably one of his failings.
Regardless of what he said in the interview, the CIA is the leakiest institution in the US Government - but only when it is a conservative that the leak can hurt.
THis comes from all the members of the analytical wing who see their role in foreign Policy actions being more in controlling US actions than in predicting enemy/foreign actions.
I think we might just as well close out the CIA, and bring back the OSS under military supervision.
Concur
January 12, 2009 - 00:14 ET by BlondeBy bringing the intelligence service(s) back under the control of the military, there would be a real chain of command, and accountability, rather than the bureaucratic cat scratch we currently have.
Perhaps it's time to rename the CIA, and as you say, bring it back into the fold. It's morphed before, it can do it again.
Of course, this idea would be so beyond The One as to be alien in nature....but I like it.
I also agree. Both
January 12, 2009 - 08:58 ET by motherbeltI also agree.
Both Presidents Bush are class act. Too much sometimes.
Bush 41 worked with former President Clinton and then in return, Bill and his wife publicly bashed his son.
And the current President can be counted on to "butt out" when his time is done.
However, I love the way Bush 41 got in his little dig, (untintentional or not) about shooting off one's mouth making that person look small.
The other two former Presidents would do well to consider that.
Both of the Bush men
January 12, 2009 - 09:23 ET by katiejanedisplay a lot of class and character. Too bad the former Dem Presidents seem unable to do the same.
It's the Women
January 12, 2009 - 14:50 ET by HockeyKidLook to the women of the Bush family--HW's mother and wife, and W's mother and wife. These are the women who influenced them throughout their lives.
Now look to Clinton and Obama--we haven't seen much of their mothers, but wives are quite indicative.
Is there any wonder that two presidents are gracious and two are not?
If HW ever said, "Mother taught me not to lie," it meant the next thing he said was true. If Clinton said the same thing, it meant, "so I hope she's not listening."
As for Jimma Cahta, he's not ingracious, he's just completely incompetent--he still has no idea of the ramifications of his own actions.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Ronald Reagan and the
January 11, 2009 - 23:31 ET by MidAmericaRonald Reagan and the two Bushes..... they have showed us that gentlemen can survive extreme pressure and still behave as gentlemen. These three have set an example for Obama to follow or he can emulate Clintons recklessness or Carter's bitterness.
Hume is probably the most
January 11, 2009 - 23:36 ET by kgHume is probably the most honest and dignified newsman left. I am sorry to see him go.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Amen to that
January 12, 2009 - 00:47 ET by KC MulvilleI wonder why he chose to go, now of all times. Frankly, lately he looks a touch grayer, and he coughs a lot more. Maybe it's the Irish in me, but my grandmother would have said that he's seen the leprechaun, which wasn't a good thing.
Irish?
January 12, 2009 - 00:54 ET by BlondeI should have known!!!!!
Not that I am....but I am affianced to one, LOL.
Blonde
January 12, 2009 - 08:12 ET by choselife3xAye, lassie. You couldn't resist the silver tongue of the boyo, could you now? Those Irish lads can blarney the birds right out of the bushes.
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
Whoa
January 12, 2009 - 10:01 ET by KC MulvilleThe fabulous Blonde is affianced to an Irishman? That'll be a 24/7 political chat. You'll be your own talk radio.
Ah, you'll have fun. It'll never be dull.
Ditto to that
January 12, 2009 - 06:47 ET by Red JeepIsn't it a sad, striking indictment of the MSM today, that Brit Hume's manner of interviewing stands out as a breath of fresh air compared to all the other interviewers in the MSM?
Brit Hume comes to this interview with no ax to grind, no bias. Asks questions we all want answers to respectfully.
Brit Hume was a stand out way before Fox News. Whenever he was reporting I would stop what I was doing and watch.
Class always tells
January 12, 2009 - 00:20 ET by thebutlerdiditThere is no benefit for either of them to say negative things about Obama and his cabinet picks. Not a single one. As HW said, it just makes you look small. I do wish W had of explained some of the things that were happening in his admin. a little more thoroughly to the Am. People, but I also am realistic enough to realize, he was there, he saw what was what, and perhaps he realized it would do no good. I have the utmost respect for both of these men, and always will. If Obama is as smart as they like to say, he will consult with both of these men. As for Brit, he is what a true journalist looks like.
Bringing the government in to run Wall Street is like saying, "Dad burned the dinner, let's get the dog to cook." PJ O'Rourke
Good evening butler
January 12, 2009 - 00:33 ET by cocodrieUnfortunately President and Laura Bush are taking class with them to Texas in a few days. The new residents have no use for it and don't want it cluttering up the house. Maybe in four years someone else can bring it back.
Coco
January 12, 2009 - 00:53 ET by thebutlerdiditWe can only hope that we will see another President be this classy. They understand it does no good to roll in the mud with your enemies, and they just refuse to sink to those levels. I admire them both, and no one will change my view on that subject.
Bringing the government in to run Wall Street is like saying, "Dad burned the dinner, let's get the dog to cook." PJ O'Rourke
Did you listen Jimmy Carter?
January 12, 2009 - 06:51 ET by Red JeepAbout saying negative things about current administrations? ...looking small?
Bill Clinton too
January 12, 2009 - 09:09 ET by motherbeltSee my comment above....GMTA ;-)
Did you notice in the
January 12, 2009 - 11:31 ET by BDDid you notice in the photos from the Oval office of all the previus presidents and Obama, carter was situated way off to the side and by himself?
The Intelligence Community used to do great analysis in the old days of photos from the Soviet Union (Who stood next to who, how far etc) and used to determine who had the juice. Well Jimmy aint got the juice. Just standing there pro forma.
If you ever get a chance, check out "The Commissar Vanishes" to see Stalins control of his imagery by making guys who were purged disappear from photos. Give the libs a couple years and Jimmuh's image will disappear from the textbooks....
For the first time in 8 months
January 12, 2009 - 01:32 ET by cocodrieFor the first time in 8 months I regret not having TV. I would have enjoyed seeing this.
Gentlemen, all Three!
January 12, 2009 - 01:35 ET by jarrett.edwardsThree Gentlemen having a respectful conversation, this is what being presidential is supposed to look like. George H.W. Bush has carried himself with the grace that a former President should and I am glad to see Dubya is following suit. However, I would tell other Republicans that since we have not been President we need not be so deferential.
noblesse oblige
January 12, 2009 - 02:24 ET by maggieqpublicAlready feeling nostalgia for the honor and decency of these men.
Gracious yes,
January 12, 2009 - 07:00 ET by Worriedbut GWB will be making the biggest mistake of his presidency if he does not release Ramos and Campeon. Plus he regrets amnesty wasn't granted to illegals. I'm holding this against him. Illegals have had much to do with the economic mess we are in and am afraid the next administration will open up the borders.
Brit Hume is a class act.
Wrote Fox
January 12, 2009 - 08:11 ET by DingbatAs I just wrote Fox: “Today’s program was television history. This was
perfection. Mr. Hume’s casual, professional, discussion with the 2
Presidents was insightful, illuminating, and moving. The 2 Presidents
distinguished themselves with grace, humility, and patriotism. How
small they made their critics look. History will be good to both of
them. Bravo to Mr Hume and bravo to the Presidents.”
I do not agree with some of W’s positions (e.g., illegal immigration)
but he had his heart in the right place and is a patriot. I can only
imagine a Gore presidency.
Ding
January 12, 2009 - 08:35 ET by SeashellI agree with everything you say here. Imagine if Couric or Gibson had done this interview. They would have been just plain mean to the 2 Presidents. They would have gone for the throat. Hume was respectful while asking questions that we wanted to hear.
I saw this interview twice,
January 12, 2009 - 10:17 ET by marpelI saw this interview twice, and loved it each time. Brit did not throw soft balls, and I am so proud to call myself a fellow Texan along with Presidents Bush. They are both class acts, and I will truly miss 43 as my President. I didn't agree with him on a few things...like illegal immigration and the release of the two border patrol officers, but he showed his strength in sticking with his convictions and keeping us safe for all these years. I will always be truly grateful to him. And kudos to the man who raised him...41.
Forty One and Forty Three
January 12, 2009 - 10:58 ET by LynnWhat a distinguished proper American family. The Bush linage is impeccable.
And now we have the new guy, with no linage at all. We don't even know with certainty where he was born.
We don't even know with
January 12, 2009 - 12:37 ET by Dan The Man 2We don't even know with certainty where he was born
He was born in manger, dont you read the Bible?
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.