Nelson Mandela funeral: George W. Bush, Bill Clinton to attend Mandela memorial

[legcramp]

Source: Politico

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will both travel to South Africa for Nelson Mandela's memorials, while former President George H.W. Bush will be staying home.

The younger Bush and former first lady Laura Bush "grateful accepted" the invitation of President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama to travel aboard Air Force One, spokesman Freddy Ford said. The trip will be for "memorial services next week," but Ford didn't specify whether that means the Obamas and Bushes will attend a large memorial planned for Dec. 10 in Johannesburg or go to the state funeral set for Dec. 15 in Mandela's hometown, and referred questions to the White House.

Clinton's office also confirmed his plans to visit to South Africa, but didn't say whether he would also be traveling on Air Force One.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/12/nelson-mandela-funeral-george-w-bush-will-attend-mandela-179061.html

[monmouth3]

1. The Obamas are very gracious people. They will all get along very nicely I think...n/t

[Cha]

2. Thanks legcramp. Wondering if President Carter

and Roslyn are going, too?

[iandhr]

7. I would bet he will. Carter a former POTUS and Mandela was a leader who was internationally revered.

The only reason H.W. isn't gong is his health.

[onehandle]

8. Rachel reported that he is expected to go. nt

[Cha]

12. I figured.. just wanted to see it print. :)

thanks onehandle

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. Almost certainly - he's in 'The Elders', which Mandela was key in getting started

http://theelders.org/ (Mandela's widow, Graça Machel, is one too)

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/statement-former-president-jimmy-carter/ncCpD/

[dipsydoodle]

3. Sounds appropriate.

[QuestForSense]

4. I'm sorry to hear they're giving Dubya one more minute on the world stage.

Jimmy Carter is a much better choice to represent the heart of America at the funeral of a great humanitarian.

[iandhr]

6. One Carter will probably go as well.

Two as a former President of the United States Dubya's nonappearance as a former POTUS would be inappropriate.

H.W. would go if his health were up to it.

[billhicks76]

9. Carter ignored by Bush and Clinton

If you haven't figured it out yet the Bushes and Clinton's are very close...they refer to each other as family. The American people have been scammed by those two families and they push Carter away every chance they get because they know what a decent human being he is and how they are not.

[Beacool]

19. Please............

[billhicks76]

25. Do Your Homework

Right after the 2000 election they dropped the facade. Bush Sr went golfing with Bill Clinton constantly and publicly referred to him as his 5th son. Clinton also covered for Bush Sr crimes and pardons in an effort to look forward but who would've guessed in 1993 that it meant grooming GW Bush and all of daddies leftovers to take the country back in 2000. It scares me that Obama did the same favor for GW Bush in the name of once again looking forward and I hope the lack of prosecutions doesn't mean get ready for Jeb Bush with a democrat facilitated rebranding and ressurection of the republican party under him. The disgusting charade was on full display once again at the GW Bush presidential library coronation where Clinton sucked up to Barbara Bush in his speech calling her mom. These aren't just polite niceties and even Obama participated in the fawning which just gives credibility to the Bush family when it's not deserved. They ALL distanced themselves from Carter both in their words and body language again. They know he is the only one of them with a pure heart. I'm sorry if you haven't noticed this. Check out Bill Clinton threatening Jerry Brown in the '92 PBS roundtable primary debate. He turned beet red and yelled at Jerry saying, "You don't know what you're messing with Jerry". It was in response to Jerry throwing a photo up on the screen of Sam Nunn and Bill inspecting Black inmates at a Georgia chain-ganged boot camp. I suspect Jerry didn't realize that the corporate state had already decided who would fill the democrat slot in case Bush lost due to Perot.

[SkatmanRoth]

16. It might work out for the best

With Bush in a foreign country, the International Criminal Court in the Hague has an opportunity to make an arrest and bring him to trial.

[ronnie624]

21. There's a certain amount of comedy relief,

in watching wingnut political leaders fawn over Mandela, as if they ever for a minute supported his cause.

[Catherine Vincent]

5. What about Cheney?

Oh, wait...nevermind.

[Heather MC]

11. GWB needs to stay at home with VP he choose that voted to keep Mandela in Prison

I was going to suggest he go on a hunting trip with the former VP

but I realize that may be interpreted in a way I fully intended it to be. so I decided not to say it

[SkatmanRoth]

15. Cheney would not survive that long of a plane ride

Yeah it is too bad Cheney is not going.

[Posteritatis]

18. Being in the same time zone as Mandela's body would probably immolate him. (nt)

[Posteritatis]

10. The attendees for this will probably make John Paul II's funeral look like a small gathering. (nt)

[reddread]

13. will they be seated anywhere near Jean-Bertrand Aristide?

thugs.

[Botany]

14. W would be smart not to go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024143658

[RFKHumphreyObama]

20. I seem to remember that Mandela disliked George W Bush

And pointedly declined to meet with him when he visited South Africa, or something like that

I understand why President Obama invited him along -he'd get ripped apart by the press if he only invited Clinton and snubbed Bush -but, still, it's ironic at best

[davidpdx]

22. Maybe they can duct tape W. to the wing of the plane

[santamargarita]

23. What an insult having that frumpy little shitbag Bush slithering along.

[Hubert Flottz]

24. I hope Interpol nabs W for war crimes.

[hrmjustin]

26. +1.

[AnnieBW]

27. Mandela criticized Dubya's war

I believe that I've read somewhere that Mandela ripped Dubya a new oriface over his war of choice in Iraq. So, the irony of Dubya crying crocodile tears at Mandela's funeral is making me sick.