Dedication of George W Bush Library

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by thetalady

Amazing to see all of the former presidents together and being so complimentary & friendly to each other. Expecially touching to see George Bush, 41, struggle to stand for the acknowledgement of those in attendance. We won't have him with us much longer. Laura Bush's speech was gracious and moving... of course I am a big, big fan of hers!

I have heard an interview with one of the former Presidents (I think it was Carter) where he talked about how the former Presidents are almost always very close because they are the only ones who truly understand what their life is/was like as President. The responsibility, the security, essentially living in a glass house, etc. They all seem pretty humbled by the experience too.

[DaffyKD]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I have heard an interview with one of the former Presidents (I think it was Carter) where he talked about how the former Presidents are almost always very close because they are the only ones who truly understand what their life is/was like as President. The responsibility, the security, essentially living in a glass house, etc. They all seem pretty humbled by the experience too.

Nancy Gibbs wrote a book, The President's Club, which discusses that closeness.

Daffymom

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

Nancy Gibbs wrote a book, The President's Club, which discusses that closeness.

Daffymom

I just finished that book last week. It is really amazing how historically the presidents, regardless of party, have to a large degree supported the person in office, because of their regard for the office.

Herbert Hoover, reviled at the end of his term as a poor president, was basically (at Truman's request) the architect of the Marshall Plan and the rebuilding of Europe after WWII.

Eisenhower helping Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs, Nixon's trips back to Russia (to help Reagan, and later Clinton), Carter's missions Haiti to help Clinton.

This is a story that continues to repeat throughout history.