White House Control of Ex-Pres Schedule?

[Texsox]

I was reading that the White House was finalizing the list of governement officials who would be attending the Pope's funeral and it was mentioned they were not certain of ex-Pres Clinton and Bush's attendance and it sounded like the WH has the call. Can the White House control the Ex-President's schedules and what events they attend? Could Bush forbid his Dad from attending?

[knightni]

Tex, what's in your avatar?

 

I only see a black box.

Edited April 4, 2005 by knightni

[Texsox]

Tex, what's in your avatar?

 

I only see a black box.

 

it's a black box.

[knightni]

it's a black box.

Is it the black box?

[Texsox]

Is it the black box?   

 

Yes. I really fits my mood the past few days.

[TheBigHurt35]

I was reading that the White House was finalizing the list of governement officials who would be attending the Pope's funeral and it was mentioned they were not certain of ex-Pres Clinton and Bush's attendance and it sounded like the WH has the call. Can the White House control the Ex-President's schedules and what events they attend? Could Bush forbid his Dad from attending?

 

Interesting. I thought that the Vatican would have final say, as the funeral really has nothing to do with the White House.

[Texsox]

Interesting.  I thought that the Vatican would have final say, as the funeral really has nothing to do with the White House.

 

My guess is the Vatican doesn't have the resources to check who should be attending from every country. So maybe they make X numbers of invites available to each country?? I am assuming the US Government will tell the Vatican who will be representing the US along with Dubya.

[knightni]

I was watching MSNBC last night and they has stuff about the previous two popes' deaths.

 

When John Paul I died, Pres. Carter sent his mother.

[TheBigHurt35]

My guess is the Vatican doesn't have the resources to check who should be attending from every country. So maybe they make X numbers of invites available to each country??  I am assuming the US Government will tell the Vatican who will be representing the US along with Dubya.

 

That makes sense. I wouldn't be surprised if neither Clinton nor H. W. Bush attended. Neither were particularly close to the Pope when they served. Carter might actually be a better choice.

[Rex Kickass]

I think if Clinton or Bush Sr. wanted to go, they probably could, but would not be travelling with the government delegation.

[knightni]

That makes sense.  I wouldn't be surprised if neither Clinton nor H. W. Bush attended.  Neither were particularly close to the Pope when they served.  Carter might actually be a better choice.

VP Mondale was sent when Pope Paul VI passed.

 

I could see Rice or Cheney going as a US representative.

[Rex Kickass]

I would be surprised if the President doesn't go.

[Texsox]

It's been reported that Dubya is going. The first American President to attend a Papal funeral. According to CNN, the White House is in the final stages of putting together the delegate list.

Bush press secretary Scott McClellan said the White House would announce the rest of the U.S. delegation that will attend the funeral later on Monday. He said with all the countries planning to send high-level representatives to the funeral, the United States will keep its delegation small.

 

The president and Mrs Bush plan to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II," which is set for Friday, McClellan told reporters.

 

Asked whether former presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton would be part of the US delegation to the funeral, McClellan said the White House was "still finalizing" the list and would say more later in the day.

Edited April 4, 2005 by Texsox

[TheBigHurt35]

The first American President to attend a Papal funeral.

 

After what John Paul II did to help bring down Communism, it's the very least that our country can do in return.

[Texsox]

After what John Paul II did to help bring down Communism, it's the very least that our country can do in return.

 

Plus the religion President cannot send someone else to such a big event. He needs to solidify the GOP's mutual love fest with religious groups. This may cost him some points with fundamentalist Christians who view Catholicism as a cult, but for the most it will be popular and beneficial.

[Rex Kickass]

That's more the reason I'm thinking he's going.

 

There would be an uproar if he didn't.

[YASNY]

That's more the reason I'm thinking he's going.

 

There would be an uproar if he didn't.

 

 

He may have some respect for the man.

 

No ... That can't be it. There HAS to be a political reason for it. :headshake

[Texsox]

He may have some respect for the man.

 

No ... That can't be it.  There HAS to be a political reason for it. :headshake

 

Everything, every President has done since the invention of the airplane and television, is about politics. Politics is how we govern. The President cannot do everything he wants to do. Just ask Bill and Monica

[Rex Kickass]

I don't think respect is an issue here. I think the issue is more "Is there time in my schedule running the country to make this event?" His presence at a funeral, of any non-family kind, is as much for the press and his popularity as it is for "respect." And that would apply to any president, regardless of party affiliation.

[southsider2k5]

That's more the reason I'm thinking he's going.

 

There would be an uproar if he didn't.

 

Which is an interesting thing of how much the country has changed since Kennedy was elected President. We went from everyone being afraid the Pope would run the country, to being pissed off if we didn't send the President to the funeral.

[TheBigHurt35]

There's no doubt that, regardless of who is in office now, the President would attend John Paul II's funeral for "political" reasons. That's a political reality that would apply to attending the funeral of any massive international figure.

 

That said, I'm dismayed by the cynical attitude that Bush would only attend the funeral for political reasons. Bush is a devout Christian... why wouldn't he want to attend the funeral of, arguably, the most important and influential Christian of the 20th Century? (Apologies to MLK.)

 

Hell, I'd bet that the vast majority of Christians here would be happy to take time out of their "busy schedule" to attend JP II's funeral (with the government taking care of food and travel expenses, of course).

Edited April 5, 2005 by TheBigHurt35

[Texsox]

There's no doubt that, regardless of who is in office now, the President would attend John Paul II's funeral for "political" reasons.  That's a political reality that would apply to attending the funeral of any massive international figure.

 

That said, I'm dismayed by the cynical attitude that Bush would only attend the funeral for political reasons.  Bush is a devout Christian... why wouldn't he want to attend the funeral of, arguably, the most important and influential Christian of the 20th Century?  (Apologies to MLK.)

 

Hell, I'd bet that the vast majority of Christians here would be happy to take time out of their "busy schedule" to attend JP II's funeral (with the government taking care of food and travel expenses, of course).

 

There is a major split in Christianity between Protestant religions and Catholicism. In some Christian circles the Catholic faith is considered a cult and they will run through how to spot a cult. Charismatic, all knowing leader, rituals, etc. So while Bush will gain in some circles, he will lose in others.

 

There are many world leaders that have died and we send VPs, Ambassadors, and other dignitaries. The White House has to evaluate every nuance of the situation for diplomatic factors (will it piss off an ally?) domestic (what's happening and yes political gain/loss), security, and a myriad of other issues.

 

Did Bush attend Arafat's funeral? He was a massive international figure. Not putting them on the same plane, but there are just so many issues before a President can go. Remember he missed both of his daughters college graduation. I am certain he would have liked to be there.

[TheBigHurt35]

There is a major split in Christianity between Protestant religions and Catholicism. In some Christian circles the Catholic faith is considered a cult and they will run through how to spot a cult. Charismatic, all knowing leader, rituals, etc. So while Bush will gain in some circles, he will lose in others.

 

You're correct about that split, although I don't think it's as pronounced as it used to be. I'm a Presbyterian and attend mass with my wife (a Catholic). During communion, I see a lot of other non-Catholics in attendance.

 

IMO, the greater split now is between Christians (or those of faith, in general) and the nihilist "progressives" on the left. My feeling is that, at this point, most red-state southern Baptists would rather see Bush pander to the Christian Catholics than the atheists.

 

Did Bush attend Arafat's funeral? He was a massive international figure. Not putting them on the same plane

 

Yeah, I certainly hope you're not. Arafat was a terrorist who horded money and let his own oppressed people live in quasi-poverty. Not a good comparison. :headshake

 

Agreed with your general point, though. One must also factor what JP II did to aid our country's fight against Communism. My guess is that he goes.

Edited April 5, 2005 by TheBigHurt35

[Soxy]

IMO, the greater split now is between Christians (or those of faith, in general) and the nihilist "progressives" on the left. 

You're not Irish are you? Although, seriously, about half of my mom's family (younger generation too) wouldn't go to her wedding because it was to a protestant. And many of those same relatives do not acknowledge my sister, myself and my protestant cousins at family functions.

 

And, as a devout leftist that attends services every week, I find your statement offensive and stereotypical...

[TheBigHurt35]

You're not Irish are you? Although, seriously, about half of my mom's family (younger generation too) wouldn't go to her wedding because it was to a protestant. And many of those same relatives do not acknowledge my sister, myself and my protestant cousins at family functions.

 

And, as a devout leftist that attends services every week, I find your statement offensive and stereotypical...

 

I know a lot of liberals who attend church. I wasn't putting you into the "nihilist" category and don't see how you drew that conclusion.

 

FWIW, my grandmother (a Presbyterian) disowned two of her daughters because one married a Catholic and the other married a Jew. I agree that Christians hating Christians (or Jews or Muslims, for that matter) is stupid.