It Rhymes With "Witch"
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Monday, October 20 2003, 1:42AM
Barbara Bush knows how to hold a grudge. In her new book Reflections: Life After the White House and in interviews to promote the book, she makes it clear she hasn't lost her acid tongue. Last night on "Dateline NBC," she and her husband, the former president, lashed out at the Democratic candidates for president and at critics of their son. Make no mistake about it. Beneath Barbara's white-haired veneer is a mean-spirited attack dog.
During her interview last night, Barbara Bush described the Democrats vying for president as a "sorry" bunch of candidates. We should not be surprised. The mainstream media may try to make her out into some modern day Mother Theresa, but those of us who have been watching over the years know that's not the truth.
We remember her comment to the press after her husband debated Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro in 1984. When asked what she thought of Ferraro, Barbara said she couldn't say it on television, but it "rhymes with witch."
When Hillary Clinton became First Lady, Babs again made it known that she disapproved of the feminist Clinton in the White House. In describing an event she attended with four other former first ladies, she praised the good works of Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter and Nancy Reagan but specifically said nothing about Hillary Clinton, according to the New York Times.
Her husband George ain't much better. Last night he accused the candidates of "vicious" political rhetoric. Of course he should know. His 1988 and 1992 presidential campaigns were two of the dirtiest in modern political history.
Bush’s 1988 campaign manager, Lee Atwater, said of their Democratic rival, Mike Dukakis, “We're going to strip the bark off that little bastard” and “make Willie Horton his running mate.” When Dukakis started losing ground, Atwater boasted that “every day there's a little more blood on the floor."
So vicious was the Bush campaign in 1988 that Atwater, before he died of cancer in 1991, apologized to Michael Dukakis and others for his “naked cruelty.” The president who he helped to elected said Atwater had "wanted to make things right and heal some wounds, and that was a very noble thing.” But where was the nobility in letting Atwater make those vicious comments in the first place? And if Bush recognized that Atwater wanted to “make things right,” does that mean he realized his own campaign was wrong?
It didn't stop in 1988. In 1992, Bush the World War II veteran ridiculed Clinton for his lack of military service in the Vietnam War. "I bit the bullet, and he bit his nails," Bush said. Funny that Bush never criticized his own son, the president, who never served a day in Vietnam either. Bush the father was busy pulling strings to get his son into the Texas National Guard instead.
In his 1992 convention speech, Bush lied when he described Clinton as a "candidate who raised taxes and fees 128 times and enjoyed it every time." Of course Clinton had not raised taxes 128 times, and what politician really enjoys raising taxes? But the truth was the first casualty when Bush wanted to win an election. That's the type of vicious politics George H.W. Bush brought to Washington.
I know George and Barbara are not in office anymore, and there's not much harm they can do now that they haven't already done. But we don't have to sugarcoat the truth just because they've got gray hair.
Comments conceal
mr
October 20 2003, 9:37AM
Isn't it ironic that the feeble minded Reagan sometimes calls his wife Nancy "mommy" when Barbara Bush looks old enough to be his grandmother?
Barabara Bush is a mean spirited, talentless be-yotch that has probably never worked a day in her life and has to defend her two meal tickets George and George Jr. The absolute idiot the two of them gave birth to shows that money can buy you an education, but intelligence is not for sale.
blk bro
October 20 2003, 3:49PM
I never did like her pearls. Can we get more shots of Keith. Much more pleasing to the eye...
Cederico
October 20 2003, 4:21PM
I second that comment....more pics of Keith. :)
As for Barbara, I used to like her until I learned of this vicious mean streak she has.
Tabulate
October 20 2003, 7:23PM
It never ceases to amaze me how our " leaders " continue to play politics & take personal shots at each other rather than do what's really best for the country ! I say this of democrat & republican alike . The comments made by Barbara Bush & other political leaders are unforegivable . They can't focus on issues that truly matter because a lot of them don't know what the issues are . They don't know the pulse of the people . All that's left is circus communication & smart remarks . It's really a competition to see gets that political office & the power , perks , the fat pay check , & the healthy pension that comes with it . Fuck the people ! Now about the two previous postings . For me , it's not a lust thing but damn , Keith ! You , sir , are eye candy & you have a brain , giving you the complete package . I sense that you may be a little modest concerning your looks which only adds to your appeal . I know that the purpose of this web site is not primp & show boat but to inform . I'm sure many would agree that it does just that . Thanks Keith for givin us an alternative perspective on what's happening in the world & allowing us to share our opinions & comments with you . Peace .
RedboneATLfrat
October 21 2003, 3:56AM
Barbara Bush looks more and more like George Washington everyday.
I see that the Bushies must be nervous about the upcoming election, since they are pulling out the nastiness so soon.
It's really sad. While thousands of U.S. service men and women are targets in Iraq, the Bush family continues to serve its own interests. The Bush daughters will be home for the holidays, while a good number of their American peers will be away from their families.
mr
October 21 2003, 9:14AM
It's possible the Bush daughter will be serving this holiday! Serving time in jail for more foolishness with drugs and alcohol.
Bob Woodard
October 21 2003, 9:17AM
The Bushes, Regans, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Fox News, Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell, and all of the cast and cahracters of the right are nothing more than hypocrits who'se days of dominance in American politics are numbered.
Natalie Davis
October 21 2003, 7:21PM
No surprise here. Barbara Bush has often been able to hide it, but her mean streak has reared its proverbial ugly head many times over the years. There were times when I saw veins bulging in her neck that could have snapped her pearls.
christopher williams
October 23 2003, 6:31PM
i've always believed what goes around comes around,did'nt Lee Atwater die a grusome death from cancer,and on his deathbed wish he nevr done the awful things he'd done? God is trying to tell you something Barbara....
Lee
November 6 2003, 8:56PM
I recently watched Barbara Bush being interviewed by Larry King on CNN. Larry made a reference to, I believe, it was Maureen Dowd. He stated something to the effect that Barbara mentioned or referred to Maureen in her new book; don't think Barbara likes her much. Larry then said "Maureen Dowd of The New York Times". Barbara snapped at Larry, "I know that!". Larry retorted that some of the viewers might not. Barbara's response was some off the cuff remark to the effect about Dowd.."oh, that won't please her" or something like that.
I was repulsed by her meanness, her smug answers and short fuse. Guess that's where Dubya gets it.
Don
June 9 2004, 2:18PM
The whole family suck's. The old broad has had nothing good to say about the U.S.A. and her son, and husband are just alike. They can't like any one that is more popular or educated than them. I have a brick with more brain's then the whole family. I know the lord will do right by them on judgement day, for what they have done here and abroad, with the senseless killing. God Bless America..... not the bush'es.
Chris
August 7 2004, 11:21PM
Oh wow it seems that after 3 years of Hillary rearing that ugle head of hers and destroying ear drums for miles around. Barbara finally got around to putting some of the less deserving spinless goats in our society in their place.
Quite funny how you Socialist/Communist/Fascist all have a double standard. For the last 40 years of my life I have heard how bad America is, How horrible Vietnam was, How stupid all of the population is.
Now you want us true Americans to vote for A terrorist of Vietnam, a supposed war criminal of the highest reguard. By his own words he should be rotting away in some jail in the middle of the ocean.
It is ok we, the true Americans, understand how distant you all are from the rest of us. We pray to god every night for your souls and that they may rot in hell with those you inspire to be most like. Namely Stalin, Hitler and all other fascist, Communist and Socialist. WHose only goal is to enslave the free people for the benifit of their power.
I am still waiting by the way for the Democrats to end my suffering, and the suffering suffered by my people so many years ago. Atlas it is just a pipe dream.