Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Charles Mark ·
May 4, 2011 at 7:34am
And if so, why? Is it (a) because it's Obama's moment and he wants to remain in the background? (b) because he doesn't want to be a prop in an Obama re-election rally? (c) because Obama blew the chance to honour or at least acknowledge Bush's contribution from the outset? (d) because he thinks it should be an occasion of solemn remembrance rather than the Obama love fest it might be? (e) because he's got other plans? (f) some of the above and if so which? (g) all of the above? (h) some other reason or reasons and, if so, what?
I go for a combination of (a),(b) and (d).
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Sep '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
D. It's completely inappropriate. Just because we got Bin laden 9 years later is no reason to make a ceremony out of it at Ground Zero. It elevates Bin laden... once again ....and associates him with something that should remain our own. The fact that nothing is built there is embarrassing also.
This is going to be another media circus. Obama looks like he is trying to wrap himself in the emotion of all this and wants to involve himself in things better left alone. There is no reason to go there just because the witch is dead. I think it is a very bad idea for Obama politically.We don't need him (or Bush) there making speeches. It will make me wanna puke.
Feb '11
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Or perhaps he thinks Obama may hector and point his finger, as he did with Paul Ryan.
Oct '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
it was gracious of obama to invite dubya, but bush's M.O. lately is to stay out of the limelight.
Dec '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
I agree - I admire GW deeply for how he has kept his nose out of things since leaving office. I only wish certain ex-Presidents - ahem! Carter ahem! - would do the same.
Apr '11
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Franco: D. It's completely inappropriate. Just because we got Bin laden 9 years later is no reason to make a ceremony out of it at Ground Zero. It elevates Bin laden... once again ....and associates him with something that should remain our own. The fact that nothing is built there is embarrassing also.
This is going to be another media circus. Obama looks like he is trying to wrap himself in the emotion of all this and wants to involve himself in things better left alone. There is no reason to go there just because the witch is dead. I think it is a very bad idea for Obama politically.We don't need him (or Bush) there making speeches. It will make me wanna puke. · May 4 at 3:59am
I had a detailed response prepared, but then I read Franco's post. What he said.
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Franco: D. It's completely inappropriate. Just because we got Bin laden 9 years later is no reason to make a ceremony out of it at Ground Zero. It elevates Bin laden... once again ....and associates him with something that should remain our own. The fact that nothing is built there is embarrassing also.
This is going to be another media circus. Obama looks like he is trying to wrap himself in the emotion of all this and wants to involve himself in things better left alone. There is no reason to go there just because the witch is dead. I think it is a very bad idea for Obama politically.We don't need him (or Bush) there making speeches. It will make me wanna puke. · May 4 at 3:59am
I fully agree with this, also.
I personally think it's equal parts d & a, with perhaps a teeny, tiny bit of c.
Sep '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Bush is a politically shrewd operator in these circumstances, as Bill Clinton would attest on meeting him in the White House, so the correct answer is: all of the above. President Obama is the Man-Child with the feet up on the desk; he's re-gifting large portions of the DSM manual to Charles Krauthammer so Chaz can knock column after column off for the rest of 2011.
I liked him better when he golfed a lot.
Edited on May 4, 2011 at 7:41amMar '11
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Bush should refuse to be used. At this point, it is entirely justifiable that Bush should be offended by the way Obama has treated him and his legacy. He should quietly keep his distance.
May '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Well, if he's not going to go, maybe he will agree to send along the very helpful "Mission Accomplished" banner. Anything other than the most sober memorial (and let's face it, we know it will be an election rally,) will tragically be something the president is likely to regret. The war or terror continues and throwing a national victory party is a very bad idea.
Apr '11
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
I'll go with a & b. As for d, I would hate for the parallel to be drawn with the post 9/11 Palestinian celebrations. Is this Obamas version of bread and circuses?
May '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
President Obama is an individual without maturity or class, as demonstrated by his covertly giving the finger to Hilary Clinton and other political opponents, by his tirades against those who cannot speak back, e.g., the Supreme Court in the SOTO address, Trump at the correspondent's dinner. Obama also seems to enjoy setting up worshipful rallies in support of himself, such as Berlin rally in June of 2008. President Bush would have to be dim to walk into that kind of set-up tomorrow, and that he is not.
Bush will be at ground zero for the 10-year commemoration, but that (hopefully) will not be an all-about-Obama affair.
Aug '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Any precedent for a victory celebration based on the results of a targeted assasination ?
I understand VE Day ,VJ Day, a speech from a carrier. But celebrate ? Bush probably doesn't believe that this singular event will have much to do with the real world, except to bolster Obama's polls.
Sep '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Obama going to Ground Zero—in extremely poor taste, IMHO—suggests to me that the decision to kill bin Laden was as much, if not more, a political move as a policy calculation. I find it sickening.
Mar '11
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Declining to attend was the right thing to. Maintaining a dignified silence is the correct response to the constant deluge of blame and insults from Obama. Obama is the one who looks small. To attend Obama's campaign event would signify forgiveness, which is undeserved.
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
I have to be honest -- I don't care if Obama wants to gloat about this for months. It was an impressive achievement and it has to feel good.
But I can't help but think that he should be careful to avoid overdoing the victory lap. In any case, given that he's doing this thing at Ground Zero, Obama was wise to ask Bush and Bush was wise to decline.
Oct '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Pseudodionysius: President Obama is the Man-Child with the feet up on the desk;
Edited on May 04 at 07:41 am
I love it. Great imagery.
Oct '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Will there be a giant 'Mission Accomplished' banner to hide the embarrassing construction site?
Oct '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
I was as jubilant as the rest over having got OBL. But to hold a ceremony to celebrate his death is just crass.
And Bush is far too classy to participate in such a vulgar display.
May '10
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
This was my exact reaction. I don't know why anyone would attend a speech with Obama (see: Ryan, Supreme Court, etc.). Gitmo, Iraq, and Abu Ghraib would all likely be brought up if Bush attended. I would assume Obama would throw in Bush's face that it was "Obama's policies and Obama's administration" that accomplished what Bush couldn't accomplish.
Mar '11
Re: Is Bush Right to Decline Obama's Invitation to Ground Zero?
Israel got to it before me. Ask Paul Ryan about accepting invitiations from President Obama.