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41 Shows Some Class (Vandy Prize Winner)
George H.W. Bush. Yes, he “strongly support[s]” McCain, which does not exactly sound like bipartisanship. But in a joint appearance today, he avoided several opportunities to bash Obama. He deferred to McCain on the issue of Iraq and said the following when asked about Obama’s trip to Europe:
When asked if he was bothered that Obama plans to hold such large events overseas, Bush smiled. “A little jealous is all,” he said, adding that he thought the Democratic candidate would receive a “warm welcome” in Germany.
That is a model for how former Presidents should handle themselves in a general election. You can’t expect them to stay out of it, but after so many months of listening to Bill stick his foot in his mouth, it’s nice to see Bush show some reserve and frankly, a great deal of class. There’s a reason Obama ciets him so often as a role model on foreign policy.
For new readers: The Arthur Vandenberg Prize, (the “Vandy“) is for those who embrace bipartisanship in foreign policy, even when doing so might not be popular with or politically convenient for their own side. Named for the late Michigan Republican Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, best known for his support for the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan in the face of pressure from the isolationist wing of his own party.