I imagine that no matter how old one is, it’s a bit jarring to know the days are numbered. Sad to think how quickly it passed, and perhaps scared, too.
@eyemamom GHWB and Bill Clinton did form a very close bond based on shared charitable work. I remember hearing Bush speak about the beginning of the relationship. They were flying to a distant country on some sort of official plane, and there was only one bed. Clinton insisted that Bush take the bed, and he slept on the floor. Bush was quite moved by this. (I questioned why there was only one bed available for two former presidents, neither of whom was young?) Clinton didn’t have a father, IIRC, so I am sure this relationship meant a great deal to him. Barbara Bush also more or less adopted him.
Can you imagine that happening with today’s political rivals? Remember that they campaigned against each other in 1992.
Yes, I do remember that. Clinton denied Bush a second term (although I think that Clinton would not have won if Perot hadn’t taken so much of the vote?)
Yes, I think it could happen today. The ex-president’s club is very small. Obama also has no father in his life and it is said that George H.W. was helpful to him in a fatherish role.
@NYMomof2 not to get off track but no, that’s a myth: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-ross-perot-myth/
Yes. I can. Did you see Obama’s graciousness towards Melania?
Just because a certain politician spent 8 years trying to deligitimize his predecessor doesn’t mean that it’s representative of the political climate as a whole. Yes, it’s hyper-partisan but most politicians act like decent people towards each other.
It truly amazes me how long former presidents live. That stress seems like it should take years off one’s life.
^Probably because even an active retirement feels like a vacation after being president.
@romanigypsyeyes, agree about the stress taking a toll, but they get the best quality medical care in the world while in office and afterwards, so it must balance out when you look at the longevity of Ford, Carter, & Bush.
Also, until most recently, I do think presidential candidates had some decent vetting on their medical condition. And yes, excellent healthcare when in office and the type of health insurance and the care it provides once out of office that most Americans would love to have.
@romanigypsyeyes, thank you for the link to the video. I remembered that Perot got ~20% of the vote, and I’ve been sure for over 20 years that most of those votes came from Bush. I stand corrected.