NOT a debate. I feel it's wrong for Pres. Bush not to be there

[floridafam]

We are watching the Reagan funeral ceremonies on TV.

I don't mean this as a Democrat/Republican thing.

It feels weird not to have the President there. I feel he should be there. Nancy Reagan was just escorted out by the VP. It should have been the President of this country. She deserved that.

Am I crazy?

 

[oogieboogie]

He's at the G8 Summit in Sea Island, GA.

 

[Aristocath]

He is giving the eulogy at the funeral. No disrespect to the former President, but there is a country to run. The world can't stop for all the Reagan ceremonies. I think the news coverage is excessive anyway. JMO

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

At least the VP is there to represent the current Presidency. I'm sure the Summit was scheduled prior to Reagan's passing.

 

[NC Belle]

If I remember correctly, its part of the vice president duties to handle the state funerals. Its also a big security risk which would have made it difficult to have as much public access.

 

[faithinkarma]

I'm not a Bush fan, but if he had cancelled to be there, you just know some people would be accusing him of neglecting his duties to grab the limelight. I believe he did the right thing.

 

[floridafam]

It's hard to explain. For some reason, it just felt funny. I'm not familiar with proper protocol, so it could be possible that he shouldn't be there.

Again, it just felt weird.

I knew he was at the G8 Summit and realize that was scheduled a long time ago.

It certainly was something to see. Quite regal.

 

[Alice28]

They said on the commentary that it is the VP's duty to be her escort; he did not take it away from the President; something about the chain of command in Congress...since as VP he is the head of congress (or senate---I forget) it is his duty and job to be head of the state funeral not the president's job. It had nothing to do with security or Bush being in Georgia at all.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
I'm not a Bush fan, but if he had cancelled to be there, you just know some people would be accusing him of neglecting his duties to grab the limelight. I believe he did the right thing.

Indeed. He would have been accused of thumbing his nose at the rest of the world.

 

[Octoberbride03]

He'l be there on Friday. Until tomorrow he's hosting the G8 Summit in Georgia. If he were to miss everything, then that would be an insult. But, I don't feel Cheney being nancy's escort was an insult, especially since she's most likely known him longer then G.W.

 

[mum4jenn]

I saw on the news where this was discussed with Mrs. Reagan when the arrangements were being finalized and she knew how important it was for Pres. Bush to be at the G8 summit and she was in agreement with it all. Since he will be arriving as soon as the summit is over(might be there right now) he and Mrs Bush will pay their respects as soon as they return to Washington and then he will be giving the eulogy on Friday. I also remember reading that when it was first announced that Pres. Reagan died they went through different scenerios of what would happen depending on what the funeral schedule would be. If it had actually been during the summit Pres. Bush would have probably attended and then returned to the summit leaving someone else to preside over the summit in his absence. They had all kinds of plans as well as ones being planned for several weeks since they knew it could have been at "any time".

 

[N.Bailey]

Cheney really did do a wonderful job tonight too. I don't believe Nancy was disappointed in him at all.

 

[Keli]

I know what you mean Floridafam. I kinda feel the same way although my brain tells me that President Bush is doing the right thing and that Mrs. Reagan (as well as the rest of the family) is being taken care of properly.

 

[Bobbles]

I am sure President Bush would rather be in Washington to pay his respects but the G8 meeting is important also. I think he is doing the right thing.

 

[CRB#33]

I guess I think Reagan would understand why he wasn't there yesterday. I think Reagan would approve.

Plus I think he will be there tomorrow.

 

[cheeringmom]

Nancy understands the duties of a President. I believe she knows Pres Bush would be there is he possibly could but duty calls. He will attend the funderal on Friday.

Mrs Reagan sure looks tired though. Keep her in your prayers.

 

[HollyJoy]

While I wish Pres. Bush was there, he still has his duties at President. He's at the G8 Summit, which I would say, is rather important. I believe I heard that he and Mrs. Bush would be there Friday for the funeral.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I heard on a news report earlier this week that President Bush offered to leave the G-8 summit and fly to Washington for yesterday's ceremonies, but that Mrs. Reagan told him that wouldn't be necessary, that he should stay in GA and continue the summit.

Had President Bush been there yesterday, he would have been filling the role that VP Cheney played in the ceremonies.

 

[Cruise04]

I also think it was a good move on his part. Plus he and Mrs. Bush will be visiting with Mrs. Reagan at the Blair house when they return to Washington.

One thing you do have to remember - Bush "grew up" with Reagan since his dad was VP for 8 years under Reagan.

 

[Serena]

President Bush and Mrs. Bush are supposed to be there today. I can only assume that as the President, he can't just drop everything. He met the new president of Iraq yesterday.