I was moved by this video of Former President Bush breaking down in tears as he spoke about his son Jeb, the governor of Florida.
Update: USAToday has the story:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Former president George H.W. Bush broke down in tears as he cited his son, Gov. Jeb Bush, as an example of leadership.
Bush was addressing lawmakers, his son's top administrators, and state workers gathered in the House chamber Monday for the last of the governor's leadership forums.He said he was proud of how his son handled losing the 1994 governor's race to popular incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles, and 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. 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.
"A true measure of a man is how you handle victory and how you handle defeat, so in '94 Floridians chose to rehire the governor. They took note of his worthy opponent, who showed with not only words but with actions what decency he had," Bush said before again sobbing.
After his defeat, Jeb Bush formed a group called Foundation for Florida's Future which promoted education policy. He also helped open a charter school in a poor Miami neighborhood, helped the state Republican Party organize a convention and straw poll to have sway in the 1996 presidential election and lobbied for education and campaign finance reform bills. Bush won the first of his two terms in 1998.
"The moral of the story is to serve with honor and your governor has served with honor," the former president said.
"I'm the emotional one," Bush said later. "I don't enjoy breaking up, but when you talk about somebody you love, when you get older, you do it more."
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Comments (23)
Time to ship H off to the o... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 7:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Time to ship H off to the old folks home. We really don't need the former leader of the free world sinking into a pussified lullaby. Grow a sack or stay the hell off the tellie.
1. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 7:56 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 19:56
2. Posted by jhow66 | December 5, 2006 8:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Go back to your kos kiddies you lowlife piece of pig shit.
2. Posted by jhow66 | December 5, 2006 8:00 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 20:00
3. Posted by GRY | December 5, 2006 8:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
while i am a bush supporter and have great respect for the family, i couldn't help but be reminded of how respect for johnny sack was lost among members of his mob family when he was seen crying at his daughter's wedding. his crying was perceived as a reflection of his diminished manhood. which is exactly how i predict this display by bush senior will be perceived by his enemies.... (see the first post above for an example of what i mean....)
3. Posted by GRY | December 5, 2006 8:20 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 20:20
4. Posted by audrey | December 5, 2006 8:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
George H.W. Bush is a real man and I admire him. Tears or no tears.
4. Posted by audrey | December 5, 2006 8:34 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 20:34
5. Posted by wavemaker | December 5, 2006 9:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Budd, you really are devoid of the slighest bit of class, aincha, mate?
5. Posted by wavemaker | December 5, 2006 9:10 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 21:10
6. Posted by Bob King Neverland III | December 5, 2006 9:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ol' Jeb. He's always been my favorite Bush.
6. Posted by Bob King Neverland III | December 5, 2006 9:45 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 21:45
7. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 9:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Not really, I would like my presidents and ex-presidents to act......Presidential. We have all seen the shenanigans of perennial Asshats Clinton and Carter. Part of the job requires an elevated sense of stature and bearing. I never voted against a Bush, junior or senior. This particular type of emotional bonding belongs in a private setting among friends and family. So before you all get your panties wadded up, think of what type of behavior you expect and demand of our president.
7. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 9:50 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 21:50
8. Posted by jhow66 | December 5, 2006 10:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Uh billy buddy you backtracked there mighty fast.
8. Posted by jhow66 | December 5, 2006 10:09 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 22:09
9. Posted by Corky Boyd | December 5, 2006 10:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The great thing about Jeb Bush not winning in '94 is it allowed him to be in office in 2004 and 2005 when the state was hit with 6 major hurricanes (4 in 2004 and 2+ in 2005). The state was ready, emergency plans worked out, and recovery efforts worked well because the state and through state efforts, localities were prepared.
Very likely some of the problems with the Katrina aftermath was the contrast of having a state and localities grossly unprepared. They tried to "wing it", didn't follow their own emergency plans, and suffered the consequences.
Jeb is popular with both sides of the aisle. His graciousness in office is legend. He could have had the Republican nomination for the 2006 Senate race, but stepped aside for Katherine Harris, a sure loser. The Republican party here had promised not to oppose her in 2006 in exchange for her dropping out of the 2004 race. They didn't want her on the ticket then, as it would galvanize the Democrats and possibly cost GW Bush the state and the Presidential election. Jeb lived by his word.
Jeb is not only a great politician, he is great person. I would love to see him run in 2008, but I'm not sure the country is ready for another Bush. If the rest of the country knew him as well as Floridians do, they would elect him President.
Corky Boyd
Sanibel Florida
9. Posted by Corky Boyd | December 5, 2006 10:10 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 5, 2006 22:10
10. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 10:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
jhow66, I did not backtrack at all, I stand by the original post. I do not think I classify as Pig shit and I am not afraid to post my URL to prove it. If you don't believe me have a look. I am just not big on the current emasculation of the America male. I cried when old Yeller died, I just did it in my living room.
10. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 10:21 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 22:21
11. Posted by astigafa | December 5, 2006 10:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think he was just trying so hard not to barf on the boy.
11. Posted by astigafa | December 5, 2006 10:44 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 22:44
12. Posted by Robert | December 5, 2006 11:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Billy Budd,
I'd like my President to be able to speak grammatically correct in his native language, whichever langauage that may be.
Do you think we can get one?
12. Posted by Robert | December 5, 2006 11:06 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 23:06
13. Posted by jo | December 5, 2006 11:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'd just like my president to know the meaning of the word "is" and "alone."
Oh yeah, and to keep his pants on in OUR oval office.
But hey, we can't expect miracles from sleazoids.
13. Posted by jo | December 5, 2006 11:18 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 23:18
14. Posted by Denise | December 5, 2006 11:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
BB, The last president cried at funerals (after he was caught laughing).
I admire President Bush greatly and I teared up watching his deep emotions and pride of his son.
14. Posted by Denise | December 5, 2006 11:42 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 23:42
15. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 11:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Denise, I will gladly take sincerity over showmanship anyday.......
15. Posted by Billy Budd | December 5, 2006 11:49 PM |
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Posted on December 5, 2006 23:49
16. Posted by wavemaker | December 6, 2006 7:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well BB, your follow-on posts certainly state your position with considerably more eloquence that your first.
I think I'm willing to grant a man in his 80's the leeway to show a little emotion of the moment.
"Pussified lullaby," man that's harsh.
16. Posted by wavemaker | December 6, 2006 7:37 AM |
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Posted on December 6, 2006 07:37
17. Posted by Oyster | December 6, 2006 8:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
BB, your first comment was more than unnecessary; it was rather "emotional".
17. Posted by Oyster | December 6, 2006 8:10 AM |
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Posted on December 6, 2006 08:10
18. Posted by Jayemay | December 6, 2006 9:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ya know, if I were a conspiracy theororist I'd say that this were the first step in the JEB'08 campaign.
But I'm not, to me it just looks like a father who is dxmn proud of his son.
18. Posted by Jayemay | December 6, 2006 9:58 AM |
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Posted on December 6, 2006 09:58
19. Posted by jhow66 | December 6, 2006 10:42 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
BB-makes no differance how you spell it--you are one rude asshole.
19. Posted by jhow66 | December 6, 2006 10:42 AM |
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Posted on December 6, 2006 10:42
20. Posted by LJD | December 6, 2006 12:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I watched the Victorias Secret fashion show last night. It truly brought a tear to my eye...
God Bless America!
20. Posted by LJD | December 6, 2006 12:31 PM |
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Posted on December 6, 2006 12:31
21. Posted by Brian | December 6, 2006 10:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's not surprising that a father talking about his "good" son would break down, as it reminds him of the things lacking in his stupid and incompetent other son.
21. Posted by Brian | December 6, 2006 10:44 PM |
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Posted on December 6, 2006 22:44
22. Posted by Jethro Bush | December 7, 2006 9:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You people seem to like the Bushes. Do you really know the Bushes? Do yourselves a favor and read up about them. You will be suprised. Did you know that they are decendents of King Henry the Eigth? Did you know Barbara is decended from President Franklin Pierce? There is much that is not know about this family, and most of it is not good. George H.W. helped to put together Enron. In the 60's GHWB's boat, named after a Communist Mexican maurader, was reflagged and used in part of the Bay of Pigs operation. Strange for an oilman. The Bush image is a mirage, a thin veneer over something ugly below. They are shady people. Do yourselves a favor and consult multiple sources and check it out.
22. Posted by Jethro Bush | December 7, 2006 9:06 PM |
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Posted on December 7, 2006 21:06
23. Posted by Jethro Bush | December 7, 2006 9:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I was moved to. In the shitter.
23. Posted by Jethro Bush | December 7, 2006 9:08 PM |
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Posted on December 7, 2006 21:08