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Subscribe to RSSPresident Barack Obama welcomed former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush to the White House for the traditional tribute to the president's predecessor.
Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush were back at the White House on Thursday for the unveiling of their official portraits.
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed their predecessors to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for an event devoid of partisanship, setting aside the political differences between the two administrations.
“Mr. President, thank you for your warm hospitality. Madam First Lady, thank you so much for inviting our rowdy friends to my hanging," Bush said to laughter before an audience that included his two daughters, a number of former aides and his mother and father, former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush.
Bush's laugh line was just one of many lighter moments in a ceremony that might have otherwise had the potential for awkwardness, given the frequency with which Obama often says his successor's policies are to blame for the nation's current woes.
Obama didn't shy away from addressing one of the biggest shared issue of their presidencies: the economic crisis that took hold in 2008.
“Over those two and a half months, in the midst of that crisis, President Bush, his Cabinet, his staff, many of you who are here today went out of your ways -- George, you went out of your way, to make sure that the transition to a new administration was as seamless as possible,” Obama said.
Charles Dharapak / AP
President Barack Obama gestures toward former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and first lady Michelle Obama, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 31, 2012, during a ceremony where the Bush's portraits were unveiled.
And Obama gave Bush his due for their shared role in hunting down Osama bin Laden:
“That's why my first call, once American forces were safely out of harm's way, was to President Bush because protecting our country is neither the work of one person nor the task of one period of time. It's an ongoing obligation that we all share.”
Any of the weightier matters were dispelled, though, by Bush's laugh-out-loud performance. He started off saying how pleased he was that the White House portrait collection now begins and ends with a "George W." (or George Washington).
“When the British burned the White House ... in 1814, Dolly Madison famously saved this portrait of the first George W. Now Michelle, if anything happens, there's your man,” Bush joked. (During her speech, First Lady Michelle Obama promised she’d go straight for his portrait.)
And former President Bush didn’t spare the current president: “I am also pleased, Mr. President, that when you are wandering these halls as you wrestle with tough decisions, you will now be able to gaze at this portrait and ask: What would George do?"
The event was somewhat of a family affair; at least 14 members of the Bush clan were on hand for the official unveiling of the portraits, which were done by artist John Howard Sanden.
Noting everyone assembled, Bush joked upon introducing Laura: “It is my privilege to introduce the greatest first lady ever. Sorry, Mom. Would you agree to a tie?”
Laura Bush didn’t miss a beat, either.
"It was really gracious of you to invite us back to the White House to hang a few family pictures. And I'm sure you know nothing makes a house a home like having portraits of its former occupants staring down at you from the wall,” the former first lady said.
Bush’s portrait, which was completed in 2011, depicted him standing in the Oval Office; Laura Bush’s portrait has her in the Green Room. The former first lady’s portrait was finished early this year. Bush 43’s portrait will hang down a hall from his father’s portrait in the White House, a point that made for a poignant moment. “I am honored to be hanging near a man who gave me the greatest gift possible: unconditional love. And that would be number 41,” he said, to sustained applause.
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Bush left the White House with HONOR when he turned over the Presidency and the White House to Obama.
Something that Bill Clinton had issues with, as his staff trashed and vandalized the White House offices and the Clintons themselves STOLE property belonging to the citizens of this nation. And that all of you on the left thought was "cute" and "funny".
And all you see from the left in here is the usual hate and filth that you on the left seem to thrive on and live for. How "progressive" of you.
Too bad that all of you can't have the same HONOR, RESPECT, and COURTESY, that Obama showed.
Bush left the White House with his tail between his legs, leaving our country in the worst shape it's been since its founding. Not much honor there.
Cheryl you really have issues that can not be solved here. You have no facts, empty comments like your head, outright lies, and you have no clue what Honor is as you display none here.
Nice job Cheryl changing your comments, you show again just how much honor you lack.
Please Tis, enlighten us with your wisdom.
Cheryl, do check your facts. None of that happened when Clinton left. It was made up by Dubya's staff and the media ran with it. They claimed that the Clinton people took all the W keys off keyboards and stole glasses from Air Force One. It was all a lie. Just like most of what they said for the next 8 years.
The Truth:
Heyseed, fyi, The final, official report from the Government Accounting Office was released on June 11, 2002. The 220 page document says there was damage, although not as much as some of the early reports had suggested. The GAO says the damage included 62 missing computer keyboards, 26 cell phones, two cameras, ten antique doorknobs and several presidential medallions and office signs. The damage estimate was about $20,000.
wow. people in washington acting civilized to each other. and a bunch of putzes here still trying to make wavers w/ it. This is whats wrong w/ politics. shut up and show some respect, both sides
Thank you, bugman!
The Obamas used thus opportunity to blame all their problems since birth on George W. Bush.
Nazzy you and Cheryl need to get married you have so much in common, neither of you know anything about truth, honor or life outside the home.
The only picutre him or Cheney belong on is a wanted poster, he's just returning to the scene of the crime.
Hum☺r from German Parades – Floats and Balloons in Carnival Parade
posted byDonna Calvin
These floats were part of the annual Carnival Parade in Germany
watched by an estimated 3 million people in 3 German cities including Dusseldorf.
With our controlled press, it is interesting to see that German citizens seem to know
more about the U.S. political system and environment than the majority of citizens on the streets of America.
“There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation.
One is by the sword. The other is by debt.”
▬ John Adams
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/watchwomanonthewall/2011/09/hum%e2%98%bar-from-german-parades-floats-and-balloons-in-carnival-parade.html#ixzz1wUDQtdXR
Adams went into national debt to fund building of the Erie Canal. "Conquer and enslave" was referring to the enemy outside and being wary of Britain.
Here we have all the Cheerleaders applauding this so called president!Gullible aren't you?
In reality you have the portrait of one the Biggest Scumbags and War Criminals in the History of this Country!
He's a piece of Crap,and somebody ought to throw eggs and piss all over it!
HE BELONGS ON A WANTED POSTER
If Mitt wants his portrait to hang in the White House, I suggest when he demolishes his California home and gets the "Car Elevator" installed that he have the house painted WHITE and get his portrait from Mass. and hang it in his new WHITE House. That's about as close as he will ever come to the White House.
Again, we see the absolute graciousness of President Obama and the First Lady on display....what excellent role models for all of us.
Oh yeah real role models.Role models for WHAT EXACTLY?
Oh yeah I know, lying through their marxist teeth.Those are real role models!
Get a load of the unedumicated TeaWhiners...
Scotty is there something that you want to tell us? It's OK don't hate yourself.
IT NEVER FAILS!!! EVERY TIME I READ A STORY ON MSNBC!!! PROOFREAD YOUR STORIES AND CAPTIONS BEFORE YOU POST THEM YOU DUMBA**ES!!! IT GETS REALLY ANNOYING AFTER THE THOUSANDTH TIME!!!!!
"President and Mrs. Obama host former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush for the official unveiling of their portraits, which will will hang in the White House."
IT NEVER FAILS!!! EVERY TIME I READ A STORY ON MSNBC!!! PROOFREAD YOUR STORIES AND CAPTIONS BEFORE YOU POST THEM YOU DUMBA**ES!!! IT GETS REALLY ANNOYING AFTER THE THOUSANDTH TIME!!!!!
"President and Mrs. Obama host former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush for the official unveiling of their portraits, which will will hang in the White House."
Drew: good observation. I found another one: " . . . given the frequency with which Obama often says his successor's policies are to blame for the nation's current woes." Should have been "predecessor's".
Also nice to see someone is paying attention to the actual article instead of ranting about partisan politics.
Absolutely disgusting and nauseating. And the Little Emperor still postures himself like the cowboy he never was...
The former president is a classy guy. Wish I could say the same for the current resident of the White House.
I think those pills have you a bit confused, bubba.
Whoa whether you like Obama or not saying that "W' is classy is hilarious!
Dubya was on vacation so much during his presidency, I'm surprised he remembered where the white house was....
A ha ha ha - good one
Reading through several of these comments clearly reveals why America is in such turmoil and it strengthens my faith in God's WORD. The Bible makes it clear that those who do not know Christ as their SAVIOR have their eyes, ears and even their thinking veiled from the truth. Those that have humble themselves and accepted Christ are given understanding of the truth of God's WORD..... And a lie is a lie, no matter how you say it, abortion is nothing less than murder and homosexuality is an abomination against God's WORD.
A true Christian will love the sinner and hate the sin.... He will try to reveal the truth with love but we most always fail when we present the truth to those that even refuse to listen to reason..... Many of those with the harden heart will scream that we are intolerant, yet it is they who refuse to listen to different possibles so that they have all the issues to consider. Those who think they are smarter than everyone else, don't pay their fair share of taxes, they are usually lazy, living off government welfare, unemployment or a disability will soon find out that they have lost a lot more than they have gained. This doesn't include the legitimate claims.
It is impossible for America to survive with the national debt as it stands today. So think on this tonight when you lie down.... and think about the future you are leaving your children or grandchildren and just remember if you support those that embrace the abominations against God's WORD you most definitely have your share of blame for all of this.
America isn't a theocracy......sorry....
Yeah. Well, the Easter Bunny told me that Godzilla will rise from the sea unless we all dance beneath a full moon.
The above has just as much evidence behind it as your book of nonsense from the Bronze Age: zero.
Keep your boring
superstitionsreligion out of my government and out of my public schools.Bush is the proverbial "frat boy" ... always a stupid joke ready to hide his stupidity! That stupid smirk wore us down as he chuckled and shrugged his shoulders... "heck, I don't know where Osama is, I don't really care" "I'm the decider... workin' hard, hard work" "heh, heh, heh..." "WMD? who said we were looking for WMD...? We just wanted to bring democracy to Iraq" ... The man's a joke...the GOP and neo-cons bought and paid for this man to play President while Rove and Cheney made all the calls and pulled his strings behind the scenes. He destroyed the middle class! He "grew" poverty and he "grew" food stamps! He put two wars on our - our credit card - not his! He played "fear politics" like a master propogandist! He dug our debt into a hole that goes all the way to China! His policies made us the object of hatred around the world! What a joke that his portrait is hanging in the people's house! The man is a walking JOKE!
Yawwwwwwwn
looking sheepish too....as he should...amazing how little blame he's taken.
Blood on his hands - "Mission Accomplished!"
America Rocks !!!!!!!!!!
Laura Bush is elegant and gracious. President George W. Bush is a card. I'll never forget when he was invited to help with the Haiti relief, got up to the podium and said,
LOL
Yes, Republicans always want your cash!
: ) Considering my house has depreciated, gasoline has skyrocketed, food and consumer goods are barely affordable and wars have expanded under the present administration, I've got to ask, 'What are you talking about dear?'
Gasoline is going down
Food prices haven't changed
Not my fault (or the President's) that you bought a house in a crappy neighborhood.....
Would you like some cheese with your whine?
Ah, the mature response and not from the person I was addressing. Gas is not going down, the same goes for food prices, We could go head-to-head comparing prices, but I know what I pay when I open my wallet. Housing prices, nationwide, have had a steady decline and, at best, the market is flat.
Well Grams, your house value started dropping BEFORE Obama took office, the gas prices have and will go up whomever is in office - right now they are dropping - blame increases on futures, and what the hell are you talking about "the wars have expanded?" You mean the @!$%#pile Bush got us in?? What's Romney's plan?
Ill-mannered responses won't get you very far here and degrades your attempt at having a valued opinion. That's a good point though, the difference between the previous and the present administration. Good night.
Gas prices where I live are dropping
Food prices where I live haven't changed
Housing where I live is stable
This all proves it sucks to be you Grams....
Who says you can't paint "stupid"?
Is that why they didn't paint you?
I am usually no lover of George Bush but this time I liked his subtle joke about the White House burning under the Obama administration. Does anybody else wonder if Obama was recruited by the KGB?
I can see President Obama's portrait now. It will be him with his shoulders shrugged, arms up and a caption that reads, it wasn't my fault.
one of the greatest presidents ever... George W. Bush!!! Great American!
Seriously? Oh well you're entitled but damn. LOL!
I'd hate to think that he was.
That goes to show you how much class President Bush has. The present numbnuts doesn't even know what class is. Something that was not thought in Harvard or no student left behind college, big ears o DUMBo went to. Mitt 2012 put some class back in the white house.
I seen the latest bumper sticker today, one that you're probably sporting on your vehicle. It stated clearly:
Anybody WHITE, 11/06/2012
No, but hell no, anybody with brains and competents is what lacking in the WH.
And as usual, bush made a fool of himself. How embarrassing. His wife was just plain drunk.
What a gracious couple, President, and Mrs. Obama are. Professionalism at its finest, in their hospitality towards the Bush's.
Obama/Biden....2012!!!!
He called the former president, George. I would have die laughing if he called Pres. Obama ........Barrack!
George "Who" !!!