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November 19, 2004
Ex-Presidents
What a nice speech. Gives hope that all the politicians that act like jerks when seeking office might be pretty good people deep down. Except for Al Gore, of course.
Transcript: Former President George H.W. Bush Comments at Clinton Library Dedication
FDCH E-media
Thursday, November 18, 2004; 2:18 PM
SPEAKER: GEORGE H.W. BUSH,
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
BUSH: President Carter, thank you for those very kind words.
President Bush, President Clinton, Vice President Gore -- I'm just delighted to be here.
Senator Clinton, pleasure to be with you and the wonderful Chelsea.
Barbara and I are thrilled to be with all of you here as we celebrate this dedication of this art structure, this magnificent structure where starting today, future generations will come to study the 42nd president of the United States.
Barbara and I have been here a very short period of time. But the truth is even before we arrived, there were already a few things we knew visitors would find here.
First, we already knew that visitors would find a uniquely American story of how a young man seized hold of perhaps the most improbable dream that any boy or girl could conceive and through sheer tenacity and gifted intellect saw it realized.
Bill Clinton was born into trying circumstances, but today it can be said he forever remained the man from Hope.
Through his indefatigable determination, not only did he lift himself and his family up, he also went on to touch the lives of millions around the world as president of the United States, giving them hope.
BUSH: Of course, it always has to be said that Bill Clinton was one of the most gifted American political figures in modern times. Trust me, I learned this the hard way.
(LAUGHTER)
Here in Arkansas you might say he grew to become the Sam Walton of national retail politics.
(LAUGHTER)
And seeing him out on the campaign trail, it was plain to see how he fed off the energy and the hopes and the aspirations of the American people. Simply put, he was a natural, and he made it look too easy.
And, oh, how I hated him for that.
(LAUGHTER)
Another gripe, Bill Clinton enjoyed debates too much for my taste.
(LAUGHTER)
You know, to be very frank with you now, I hated debates.
And when I checked my watch at the Richmond debate, it's true, I was wondering when the heck Ross Perot would be finished and how I could get out of there.
(LAUGHTER)
But it was also clear that soon to be President Clinton was in his element that night.
And upon further reflection, maybe it's because with Bill Clinton ideas mattered greatly -- ideas matter to all of us who enter public life, particularly at the national level. But whoever said that the American presidency is merely a weigh station en route to the blessed condition of being an ex-president did not count on William Jefferson Clinton.
Once in office, he was very much an activist president, in the best sense of the word. He devoured ideas with an insatiable curiosity and then pursued them with unbounded energy and infectious enthusiasm.
He was and we saw recently remains a tremendously effective advocate for his beliefs.
He was a little hard on the president during the recent campaign. But in the spirit of being kinder and gentler, I have long since forgiven him for that.
(LAUGHTER)
And here in this place you will find an inspired story and a record of accomplishment on behalf of our great people.
But in conclusion, let me simply say that after you leave the White House, a number of things happen to you.
BUSH: First of all, the crowds of protesters get smaller. It's disappointing, really.
(LAUGHTER)
And when you play golf, no one gives you short putts anymore.
But one of the great blessings is the way one-time political adversaries have the tendency to become friends, and I feel such is certainly the case between President Clinton and me.
There's an inescapable bond that binds together all who have lived in the White House. Though we hail from different backgrounds and ideologies, we are singularly unique, even eternally bound, by our common devotion and service to this wonderful country.
And that certainly goes for the 42nd president of the United States.
And if I might inject a somewhat proud personal opinion here too, that certainly goes for president number 43, too.
When President Clinton experienced his heart trouble recently, there was a tremendous outpouring of affection and support. But in hindsight, perhaps we need not have been too worried. After all, few presidents in recent memory have shown greater resilience and bigger heart.
Every time he got knocked down, which can happen in politics, he got right back up. In fact, he made the comeback his trademark.
And therein lies the greatest lesson ever offered to future generations: Never give up, never give in, keep on fighting.
So, Mr. President, congratulations to you and Hillary and Chelsea on this very special day.
(APPLAUSE)
END
Posted by stan at November 19, 2004 11:05 AM