President Bush, once removed, offers kudos to Obama & Clinton

Like many of the Democrats who so revile him, President Bush today took note of the conclusion of the party's presidential nomination race. Also like many Democrats, two candidates were still on the Republican's mind.

During the morning's daily "gaggle" with reporters at the White House, Bush Press Secretary Dana Perino said that through her, the president was passing along his congratulations to Barack Obama for securing enough delegate commitments to lay claim to his party's nomination.

"Sen. Obama came a long way in becoming his party's nominee. And his historic achievement reflects the fact that our country has come a long way," Perino said of the success of the first African American to head a major party's presidential ticket.

But Bush, through his surrogate, also gave a nod to the contest's runner-up, the not-quite-ready-to-concede Hillary Clinton. The president, Perino said, congratulated her for waging a "spirited campaign."

Reporters, who included The Times' James Gerstenzang, wondered whether Bush at some point might offer his kind words directly to the two Democrats, via a telephone call.

Not likely, Perino suggested. She noted that eight years ago, after he had locked down the GOP nomination, no such good wishes were forthcoming from then-President Bill Clinton.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

Barack's legacy will be being elected as the first black president.

Hillary's legacy will be not being the first female president and fighting ferociously to keep the first black president from being elected.

[08vote]

Were the people of Louisana victimized twice by the natural diaster Hurricane Katrina???

"Still in Louisiana today, following his epic speech in Kenner last night, John McCain was asked by a local reporter why he had voted against creating a federal commission to investigate the Katrina disaster.
McCain's response? "I've supported every investigation and ways of finding out what caused the tragedy. . . ."
The problem is that's just not true. He voted against such a commission -- twice. If you needed a reminder of McCain's most painfully ironic connection to the Katrina debacle, here's President Bush on the morning Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast, celebrating McCain's birthday in Arizona (photo of McCain and Bush holding a birthday cake).

[Jean]

Other Republicans will be more enthusiastic about Barack Obama. Feel free to share this with undecided Republicans and other friends around the country. http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html

[Alessandro Machi]

The last sentence made me laugh.