This article is going to make the freepers and the other right-wingers even crazier than they already are. The NY Times is reporting that both President Bushes have become very fond of Bill Clinton. 41 and 43 apparently really like the guy.
Former staff members said the friendship could offer political advantages for the Bush and Clinton families, softening the edges of a political rivalry, as Mr. Bush's son begins his second term and as Mrs. Clinton considers a run for president in 2008.This article is pretty funny, actually. It's the great Clinton/Bush lovefest.
Former staff members also said the friendship seemed genuine and was ultimately not that surprising given that there are only five men alive who know what it is like to go through the crucible of the American presidency. At the end of the day, the staff members said, partisan differences were overcome by the power of that shared experience.
"It has its own little Outward Bound quality to it," Mr. Emanuel said.
The new warmth arises as President Bush and Mr. Clinton, who had little love for each other in the past, have grown closer.
"Frankly, President Bush likes Clinton a lot," Roland Betts, a close friend of the president, said. "He says he thinks he's a terrific person. He's not judging his administration. He just likes being around him."
Mr. Betts, who made those remarks in an interview in December, added in a brief interview this week that in his view the current president and Mr. Clinton were charismatic people and that they "saw a little bit of themselves in each other, and they liked it."
But imagine how the right wingers are handling this. Clinton has befriended not only the father, but the son. Ms. Bumiller's story couldn't be better timed. There's been a big conservative conference taking place in Washington for the past couple days. (CPAC which, I am sure, is an abstinence only event.) They will love knowing these guys are all chummy.
And, after all, this was the week where 43 said he would consider raising taxes, just like his daddy.
