Reader comments
Bush, Obama gather with former presidents for lunch

24 comments   |   Read story

Good start | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
While we can all disagree on many fronts, it is nice this group together to offer assistance and wisdom to our new president elect. I didn't vote for Obama, but I do wish him safety, wisdom and great success in leading our country.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
JRS | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Good to see Jimmy Carter attend. He can give Obama a lot of advice on what not to do. Carter is possibly to worst president to have ever lead this great nation.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
CITIZEN | 12:34 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
With big bubba's former partners in crime back in the WHITE HOUSE,GOD help us all!!!
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Just wondering | 12:38 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Former President Clinton was watched very closely during his visit to the White House. Right?? Can't trust that dude in a room alone.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
scary scene | 1:01 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
seeing Jimmy Carter back in the Oval office was a frightening scene remembering that interest rates were at 22% and inflation about the same along with the Iran Hostage debacle and a host of other nightmarish events going on. Bubba was probably remembering the good ole impeachment days and Bush I remembering those thousand points of light. Bush II more than happy to see Obama in the oval office knowing he will soon be able to dump the multiple messes he created on the new guy.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Splitme2 | 1:05 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
I was trying to figure out if their choice of tie color had anything to do with Republican or Democrat; I guess not.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
wallofvoodoo | 1:04 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office isn't scary. He wan't bad, he just didn't get anything done. He was a much better former president than a president. The only scary one was Clinton if you are an intern. ;)
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Anonymous | 1:17 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
What a lesson to everyone to be polite almost on the border to hypocrite! Seeing all together at first gave me a patriotism feeling but the second after I just remembered how bad they were on their own time! I think Carter is actually smiling because Bush II is fighting his position as the worst president. And Clinton? did the oval room bring you some memories?
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Jeff | 1:48 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
The comments here really point up the fact that it's impossible to please everyone. The tone is sort of like "Mommy didn't give me the biggest piece of candy. Now I hate her." Also these guys know how to separate politics from personal life. It is just a job.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Tom | 2:08 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
One is worse than the other?

That's the lineup that has helped bring our country to its demise...each has done their own part and each is part of a grander plan to destroy our sovereignty. Seriously, all of these so-called "presidents" have all (or, in Obama's case, will) taken steps one after the other to destroy our constitutional rights.

It's time to open your eyes sheeple.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Fairly content | 2:13 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
At 59 year of age, I have lived through all of these administrations. The truth of the matter is that my life, and most Americans, was not really changed much by any of them. Too many of us are quick to blame everything on the President. We allow ourselves to think the President has more influence than he really does. The great majority of us can be grateful for what we have and the blessing of being an American. I grew up knowing that my life was in my hands and it was all up to me to make my way. Get an education, work hard at your job, treat people with respect and fairness and live with integrity and purpose. Happiness usually follows that formula.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
No surprises here | 2:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Totally predictable Dnews reader comments. Now I think I'll go over to the Tribune forum and read the totally predictable comments about the horror of seeing Bush 1 and 2 in the Oval Office at the same time.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Re: JRS | 2:20 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
No there have been some significantly worse. Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan are two that come to mind. It is great to see the living Presidents come together and perhaps spark a bit of common ground for America.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Anonymous | 2:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
JRS | 12:33 p.m You drank the Koolaid. Carter was stuck with economic problems from Nixon. He had Reagan cutting arms deals with Iran before he was elected. Cater was a Christian too.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Oscar the grouch | 2:24 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
one of these things are not like the other
one of these things is not the same

GOBAMA!!!!!
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Nixon | 2:26 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Where is Nixon the poster boy of all things GOP?

oh that's right he's in the GOP happy hunting grounds
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Not all that shines is.. | 2:51 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Agreed, I'm saddened to see Martin Van Buren on a dollar coin, shouldve skipped that one.

Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Frank | 2:54 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
The presidents job is to take the blame for everything we do and everything politicians do. They dont have as much power as we pretend they do, but if we realized that it would be hard to blame the hole we've dug on them.

Saddly Obama will find this out soon too. Theres no one more loved than a President Elect and nothing more hated than a President in office.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
anonmous | 4:04 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Carter, honest but spineless

Bush 1 got very little done, and set us up for the next Bush

Clinton, did absloutly nothing except exploit the office for his own gain. Sex, impeachment, Hillaries asperations.

Bush 2 enough said.

We can hope that Obama will accept no advice from any of the past presidents. He has enough baggage of his own, and socialism is on his platter along with Nancy.

All said as a country we need to be concerned with our state of affairs.

Let's try voting for anyone but a republican or democrat. This may bring a real "CHANGE".

By the way when did we become a country of kings and queens? Take a look at who keeps taking charge....Bush's, Clinton's, even when voted out the next adminstration re-appoints them.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
frugal | 4:12 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
I wonder what this ended up costing?
Recommend
Recommendations: 0