Video: Bush 41 brought to tears by Jeb’s accomplishments
posted at 2:22 am on December 6, 2006 by Ian
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Former President George H.W. Bush was brought to tears Monday during a speech about his son, outgoing Florida Governor Jeb Bush. President Bush was speaking to lawmakers and members of his son’s cabinet in the Florida House chamber at a governor leadership forum.
He then broke down in tears mentioning his son, Gov. Jeb Bush, as an example of leadership and the way he handled losing the 1994 governor’s race to popular incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles. He vaguely referred to dirty tricks in the campaign.
“He didn’t whine about it. He didn’t complain,” the former president said before choking up in front of lawmakers, Gov. Bush’s top administrators and state workers gathered in the House chamber for the last of the governor’s leadership forums.
As he tried to continue, he let out a sob and put a handkerchief to his face. When he spoke again, his words were broken up by pauses as he tried to regain composure.
Gov. Jeb Bush’s second and final term ends in January.
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I guess it could have been worst.
He could’ve puked on him.
Seriously, we all have our moments, mine is when the dog died.
Kini on December 6, 2006 at 2:38 AM
President Bush is an old man who has served his country for many years and continues to this day.
I don’t believe sobbing at such a time would be ideal for a current sitting President who must show a tough face for the world.
However, this President has earned it and as I get older, and I’m less than half his age, I’m more likely to shed a tear or three at different situations. So I understand.
Christoph on December 6, 2006 at 2:46 AM
George Herbert Walker Bush was flying combat missions against the Japanese by the time he reached his 20th birthday. ( He used his father’s influence to get INTO Naval Aviation, and into WWII ) He was born into the elite of this nation, but lived a decent life and raised five very decent children.
In politics he was, by recent American standards, both honest and decent ( yes, I like that word, but if the shoe fits….). Not a Reagan and not really a conservative, but a man worthy of respect.
“Bush 41″ is 81 now. He was talking about how Lawton Chiles, a reptile who slithered into a Senate seat in Florida and then the governorship, used typically Clintonite dirty tricks to win a very close election in 1994. He was a master of the ‘push poll’, where nearly every registered voter over 62 in Florida was called at home and asked a ‘poll question’ of, “Do you agree with Jeb Bush and the Republicans that Social Security benefits should be cut?”
Chiles even went around wearing a coonskin cap and referred to himself as a “he-coon”, desperately playing to the last remnants of the rural White vote in Florida, wooing enough of the back to nudge his sorry ass into one last, totally unproductive term.
The former president broke down talking about how his son did not whine or complain or ask for a recount. Why is this held up to ridicule?
Janos Hunyadi on December 6, 2006 at 3:18 AM
Bush Sr. is a good guy. Just compare the way he has behaved since he left office to Carter and Clinton. The father/son story made me remember this. You may have already seen it, but i thought i’d link it for those who haven’t.
Scot on December 6, 2006 at 3:39 AM
He’s not the President anymore, who has to lead a nation.
Presidents can’t cry.
He is a former President.
And he is talking about the accomplishments of his son, and how proud he is of him.
So I can excuse a few tears.
It is good to be strong, and it is good to be tough…
.
.
.
But a heart made of stone?
Is that what we want our fathers to have?
I think not.
EFG on December 6, 2006 at 3:54 AM
Regardless of what anyone thinks of Bush 41’s presidency, one thing is certain. He’s a class act all the way.
.
GT on December 6, 2006 at 7:26 AM
There are only two things that prevent Jeb from becoming the 44th President…the 41st and the 43rd.
windbag on December 6, 2006 at 8:11 AM
GFY windbag.
bernzright777 on December 6, 2006 at 8:47 AM
The deal here is that the election was full of underhanded stuff by lawton childs. At the last minute and cost JEB the election. Not a word of complaint out of jeb, just a concession speech and much later, recriminations for lawton. Typical of the democr@ps here. They still screw up here in dade, broward, p.b. County. 2000 election for example.
tormod on December 6, 2006 at 8:51 AM
He’s a father! Nuf said!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on December 6, 2006 at 9:07 AM
Bullshit. Childs was a fine governor, as was Jeb. I voted for Jeb against Childs–what a tragedy that Jeb didn’t win. Not because Childs was a poor choice, but because had Jeb won, he, not his idiot brother, would have been the 43rd President most likely.
I think 41 was shedding tears over his over, less accomplished son. This has to be tough for him, a man of such family pride, seeing what “Bush” has come to represent. Sad, sad, sad.
honora on December 6, 2006 at 9:30 AM
He is a dad. He loves his kids. So what?
seejanemom on December 6, 2006 at 9:31 AM
I cry a little bit too when I think of how the Democrats have made whining and complaining so commonplace in politics that to not do so, makes you stand out from the crowd .
BohicaTwentyTwo on December 6, 2006 at 9:32 AM
Why did Bush cry?
The only reason men ever cry: because they’re little girls.
frankj on December 6, 2006 at 10:15 AM
I think President Bush was also crying for America. He is sad of the whiners and complainers, that lose an election than try to take down the process. His tears are shed for the Democrats who have lowered themselves to ingrates who cannot even put partisan politics aside for love of country.
And frankj, there are a few thousand men, real men, in Iraq who shed a tear when they receive a letter with a picture of their child, or other family. In the safety of your home, you can say those things. Go to Iraq and call them little girls. You are the little girl…hiding at home behind your computer making snide remarks.
right2bright on December 6, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Bless his heart! President Bush 41 is a good, decent man who has given his life in service to his country, as have 2 of his sons.
Yes, he was probably brought to tears about a lot–the state of this nation in wartime combined with the awful, unmerited and unrelenting attacks on both his sons as Governor of Florida and as President of this great republic
and the fact that he’s elderly and loves them and loves this nation make it all pretty hard to bear and keep inside.
God bless the Bush family!
Jen the Neocon on December 6, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Dont be so sure that there wont be another President Bush.
Labamigo on December 6, 2006 at 12:07 PM
EFG -”Presidents can’t cry.” Really?
Put a camera on a laughing President at a Secretary of Commerce’s funeral and the tears do flow…
At least 41’s weren’t borrowed from a crocodile.
eeyore on December 6, 2006 at 12:39 PM
Bush ain’t gonna cry, President Bush ain’t gonna cry!
Greasers DO NOT! CRRRRRRYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!
Keljeck on December 6, 2006 at 2:47 PM
Dittos from me.
(Emphasis mine.) Honora, usually I listen to (read) your comments respectfully. You stepped over the line with this one. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the greatest nation on earth. A little respect is due.
lan astaslem on December 6, 2006 at 2:58 PM
Only big men cry. It would be a better world if more would cry more often; not all the time, just more and more often.
It is presumptious to ascertain why Mr. Bush 41 cried. It is also puerile/little to criticise him.
Entelechy on December 6, 2006 at 3:41 PM
Former President Bush has my deepest respects. When you consider how his sons have been verbally abused, ridiculed, slandered by whoever felt the urge…well, I’d cry too. He knows his kids. He knows what kind of men they really are and what their noble intentions are (as his were…they’re not God after all), it hurts and it hurts *bad*. He’s proud of how they’ve handled themselves. Me too.
jatfla on December 6, 2006 at 3:41 PM
Ambassador to China. Director of the CIA. President of the United States of America.
I’m with Michael Savage, seeing this man cry was unseemly. He should not have entered into territory that would make him so emotional.
Flame on!
thegreatbeast on December 6, 2006 at 4:13 PM
I think he was simiply crying out of pride. He is proud of his sons, of his family. I’ve always respected the former president–he has never given a reason not to.
Hell, I cried a little this morning. Of course, its because I yanked a hair out of my nostril…
robblefarian on December 6, 2006 at 4:15 PM
. Father. Man. Human Being. Not a robot.
Michael Savage is not the ultimate authority on who cries and when, and if it’s ok or not.
Entelechy on December 6, 2006 at 4:55 PM
honora on December 6, 2006 at 9:30 AM
Wrong again, with all your usual class and grace. When anyone disagrees with your Lefty views, the bitch-cursing and petty name-calling starts. Let’s see if you can take what you dish out, “honora”, you Clintonite hag.
The term “harpy” fits you even better.
You don’t come to this blog to discuss–you come here to vent your anger at people who disagree with you. You hate the fact that many intelligent people disaree with you and find your views stupid and worthless, and you only come to this blog to vent your anger.
Janos Hunyadi on December 6, 2006 at 4:56 PM
Some of you people leaving post are just the biggest DUMB ASSES EVER!!!!!!! How dare you complain, make fun of, or bash 41 over this. He is 81 and a loving farther. How would you act if you saw how your kids are kicked around every damn day, day after day, month after month, year after year in the media. It is worse now than he ever had to deal with.
You people with your sorry ass comments alt to be ashamed of yourself, go back to daily kos or dec unground where you belong.
allholes.
just pisses me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kara26 on December 6, 2006 at 6:08 PM
…ditto, except change “allholes” to….well, you know
see both of my posts above for my heartfelt feelings on the Good ( Bush 41 and Jeb ) and the Bad & the Ugly ( who already know who They are )
Janos Hunyadi on December 6, 2006 at 7:34 PM
George H. Bush, what a great man. My I was so touched by that I am not to proud to say I almost cried. He really loves his kids and they love him. Why the emotion. Some say he is sad that Jeb should have been president and the Gov election Jeb lost was the reason he did not have a run at the presidential office? Who knows but Jeb is widely thought to be a better leader than GWB. GW never really want the office I believe and was forced into it. We will never know about JEB because no other Bush will ever hold the highest office. America has Bush fatigue.
I don’t know or care, why Bush 41 was overcome with emotion, he his a wounder man, served the country with honor and distinction and have a new appreciation.
gmcjetpilot on December 6, 2006 at 9:02 PM
honora, are you from Florida? Because most Floridians would know that he was Walkin’ Lawton Chiles, not Childs.
INC on December 6, 2006 at 11:54 PM
There is nothing wrong with possessing the range of strengths to run a nation to the love of one’s children that all men should aspire too.
Speakup on December 7, 2006 at 1:21 AM
I lived in Florida for 15 years. I know it’s Chiles but it’s one of those things I can’t seem to get through my thick head. Duh.
honora on December 7, 2006 at 10:20 AM
I agree with Janos, also, be careful with the verbage:
“Make sure your words are sweet for you never know when you shall be forced to eat them”
I refuse to flame, have a nice day.
tormod on December 7, 2006 at 12:07 PM
Calling BS are you?
“make your words sweet, for you never know when you will be forced to eat them” Tormod.
Can I get this by the censor, Ian? Nothing except a necessary reply, no flame war, move along, nothing to be seen here…
tormod on December 7, 2006 at 12:22 PM
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