NYT: Between 2 First Families, a Complicated Rapport

[kskiska]

By ELISABETH BUMILLER

(snip)

None of that is evident in the public words of mourning this week from the current president, who has used Mr. Reagan's presidency as a model for his own. And yet he scarcely knew the man himself, Reagan advisers say. When Mr. Reagan was president, the younger Mr. Bush would come by the vice president's office to see his father, telling stories with his cowboy boots on the table - and watching Mr. Reagan from afar.

(snip)

The intense personal emotions came from Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush, one of Hollywood, the other from the blue-blooded precincts of the East Coast. Both were fiercely protective of their husbands.

"Bush and Reagan had a very amiable relationship, and he had access to anything Reagan had, but Mrs. Bush felt she had been slighted by Mrs. Reagan," said one former Reagan adviser who knows both families.

The Reagans, who moved in a circle of old Hollywood friends but were still an intensely private couple, never had the Bushes in for dinner in the private quarters of the White House, Republicans recalled.

"It's hard being second lady," said a person who worked for both the Reagans and the elder Bushes. "And Barbara Bush did a hell of a good job at it. She stayed back and was deferential. But what I've found is that the wives of political people have long memories. They tend not to forget."

more…
http://nytimes.com/2004/06/09/politics/09families.html

[Proud2BAmurkin]

1. Hey Babs, they just don't LIKE you. That's normal.

Who would want to ruin their dinner with Barbara Bush's company?

[realcountrymusic]

4. Finally, something nice to say about Reagan

He may have been a sonofabitch, but at least he and Nancy had decent taste in dinner guests.

Maybe Nancy liked serving broccoli, or maybe she didn't want GHWB the 41st puking all over the nice linens.

Real

[goforit]

2. Typical Bush syndrome........Always have a chip on the shoulder.

Nothing but eyes of envy and vengence!!!

Nancy always saw evil when she saw it!!!

Can't blame her for protecting Ronny!!

[GemMom]

3. Call me a conspiracy nut but.......

the Bushes, especially Neil, had connections with the Hinckley family. There are articles dating back to 1981 in the Houston Post which covered this in depth. Nancy Reagan no doubt had her suspicions about the assassination attempt.

[xxqqqzme]

5. NEVER......NEVER.....

had them 2 dinner in EIGHT, count 'em, EIGHT f**king years!!!

[Carolab]

6. Class separation

Bushes don't have any.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. kick

[Snellius]

8. I wish Celebrity Deathmatch was still on MTV

Let's get ready to Ruuuumble.