Potus Geeks Summer Reruns: The Friendship of George W. Bush and Michelle Obama
Originally posted on July 6, 2018 as part of a series called Islands of Civility".
It is not unheard of for former presidents to form friendships in their retirement, even when they come from difficult political parties. Examples of this include Grover Cleveland and William McKinley, Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman or Bill Clinton and both Presidents Bush. It is somewhat surprising that former President George W. Bush and former first lady Michelle Obama have developed a close friendship, especially considering their political differences. It speaks well of both of them that they are able to keep their political and ideological differences from becoming person, something that is becoming less common in these politically polarized times.
In September of 2016, the two appeared together at the opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. A photograph taken of the former first lady's embrace of the 43rd President went viral. Bush later told a reporter that the photograph accurately reflected the warm feelings he had for Mrs. Obama, stating, "When I saw her, it was a genuine expression of affection. " Earlier that year, the Bushes and the Obamas were photographed together joining hands during the singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic at an interfaith memorial service for the victims of the Dallas police shooting on July 12, 2016, in Dallas. The two former first couples are often seated next to each other during ceremonial events, including the the funeral for former first lady Nancy Reagan, the 2015 commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights march in Selma, Alabama and even at the inauguration of Donald Trump.
The friendship is described by both as more than just fodder for photo ops. The former President says that his liking for Michelle Obama comes from the fact that, in his words, "she kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like." He added in the same interview, "I can't remember where else I've sat next to her, but I probably have a few wisecracks and she seemed to like it OK. I needle her a little bit and around her, I'm fairly lighthearted. They (the Obamas) are around serious people all the time and we just took to each other."
The transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration was reported to be one of the most cordial and civil, in contrast to the one which occurred from the Clinton administration eight years earlier, when Clinton staff members vandalized the offices of incoming Bush staff members in a series of pranks that left the taxpayer with a hefty bill. At Barack Obama's inauguration, Bush was observed to be engaged in joking with the Obama children as well as with the new first couple.
The admiration is not one sided. When Bush's official portrait was unveiled at a White House ceremony on May 31, 2012, both President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama expressed their appreciation for the example set by the Bush family during their eight years in the White House and the guidance and help provided during the transition. President Obama said: "George, you went out of your way, to make sure the transition to new administration was as seamless as possible. I'll always be grateful for that." Obama praised Bush's strength and resolve that reassured the nation after the September 11 terrorist attacks, and for the anti-terrorism efforts begun in the Bush administration. He said: "After three-and-a-half years in office and more gray hair, I have a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the men before me, including President Bush. You can't make everyone happy, I think that's something President Bush and I learned pretty quickly. We may have our differences politically, but the presidency transcends those differences."
At that same ceremony, Bush joked that he hoped President Obama would find reassurance because, when walking the White House halls at night mulling over a major problem, "you'll now be able to gaze at this portrait and ask 'What would George do?'" Mrs. Bush also drew a big laugh when she said in reference to the new paintings that "nothing makes a house a home like having portraits of its former occupants staring down at you." George Bush went on to remind Michelle Obama of how Dolley Madison had famously saved the portrait of George Washington when the White House was burned by the British during the War of 1812, and what she would be expected to do "
In the most emotional moment at that ceremony, Bush's voice cracked a little as he said of his father -- the nation's 41st president -- that he was honored the portrait would be "hanging near a man who gave me the greatest gift possible, unconditional love, and that would be No. 41."
When Michelle Obama rose to speak, she began by saying: "I don't think we have enough tissue to go around. Jenna and Barbara, they're just a mess," she added in reference to the Bush daughters. The Obamas made a point of thanking the Bush twins for the guidance they provided the Obama daughters, with Obama noting his two girls have followed the advice to make loyal friends and slide down the banisters.
Following is a youtube video of some of the remarks made at that ceremony:
On March 2, 2017, Bush was a guest on the talk show Ellen, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. When asked about this friendship that transcended political lines and ran contrary to the modern climate of political polarization, Bush said "That surprised everybody, that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum can actually like each other." When asked by DeGeneres if his friendship with Michelle was stronger than his relationship with her husband, Bush replied, "Well, let's put it this way, he's never given me a hug that way."
It is not unheard of for former presidents to form friendships in their retirement, even when they come from difficult political parties. Examples of this include Grover Cleveland and William McKinley, Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman or Bill Clinton and both Presidents Bush. It is somewhat surprising that former President George W. Bush and former first lady Michelle Obama have developed a close friendship, especially considering their political differences. It speaks well of both of them that they are able to keep their political and ideological differences from becoming person, something that is becoming less common in these politically polarized times.
In September of 2016, the two appeared together at the opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. A photograph taken of the former first lady's embrace of the 43rd President went viral. Bush later told a reporter that the photograph accurately reflected the warm feelings he had for Mrs. Obama, stating, "When I saw her, it was a genuine expression of affection. " Earlier that year, the Bushes and the Obamas were photographed together joining hands during the singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic at an interfaith memorial service for the victims of the Dallas police shooting on July 12, 2016, in Dallas. The two former first couples are often seated next to each other during ceremonial events, including the the funeral for former first lady Nancy Reagan, the 2015 commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights march in Selma, Alabama and even at the inauguration of Donald Trump.
The friendship is described by both as more than just fodder for photo ops. The former President says that his liking for Michelle Obama comes from the fact that, in his words, "she kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like." He added in the same interview, "I can't remember where else I've sat next to her, but I probably have a few wisecracks and she seemed to like it OK. I needle her a little bit and around her, I'm fairly lighthearted. They (the Obamas) are around serious people all the time and we just took to each other."
The transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration was reported to be one of the most cordial and civil, in contrast to the one which occurred from the Clinton administration eight years earlier, when Clinton staff members vandalized the offices of incoming Bush staff members in a series of pranks that left the taxpayer with a hefty bill. At Barack Obama's inauguration, Bush was observed to be engaged in joking with the Obama children as well as with the new first couple.
The admiration is not one sided. When Bush's official portrait was unveiled at a White House ceremony on May 31, 2012, both President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama expressed their appreciation for the example set by the Bush family during their eight years in the White House and the guidance and help provided during the transition. President Obama said: "George, you went out of your way, to make sure the transition to new administration was as seamless as possible. I'll always be grateful for that." Obama praised Bush's strength and resolve that reassured the nation after the September 11 terrorist attacks, and for the anti-terrorism efforts begun in the Bush administration. He said: "After three-and-a-half years in office and more gray hair, I have a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the men before me, including President Bush. You can't make everyone happy, I think that's something President Bush and I learned pretty quickly. We may have our differences politically, but the presidency transcends those differences."
At that same ceremony, Bush joked that he hoped President Obama would find reassurance because, when walking the White House halls at night mulling over a major problem, "you'll now be able to gaze at this portrait and ask 'What would George do?'" Mrs. Bush also drew a big laugh when she said in reference to the new paintings that "nothing makes a house a home like having portraits of its former occupants staring down at you." George Bush went on to remind Michelle Obama of how Dolley Madison had famously saved the portrait of George Washington when the White House was burned by the British during the War of 1812, and what she would be expected to do "
In the most emotional moment at that ceremony, Bush's voice cracked a little as he said of his father -- the nation's 41st president -- that he was honored the portrait would be "hanging near a man who gave me the greatest gift possible, unconditional love, and that would be No. 41."
When Michelle Obama rose to speak, she began by saying: "I don't think we have enough tissue to go around. Jenna and Barbara, they're just a mess," she added in reference to the Bush daughters. The Obamas made a point of thanking the Bush twins for the guidance they provided the Obama daughters, with Obama noting his two girls have followed the advice to make loyal friends and slide down the banisters.
Following is a youtube video of some of the remarks made at that ceremony:
On March 2, 2017, Bush was a guest on the talk show Ellen, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. When asked about this friendship that transcended political lines and ran contrary to the modern climate of political polarization, Bush said "That surprised everybody, that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum can actually like each other." When asked by DeGeneres if his friendship with Michelle was stronger than his relationship with her husband, Bush replied, "Well, let's put it this way, he's never given me a hug that way."