25 responses to “President George H.W. Bush Shaves Head for Patrick’s Pals”

1. 

   Doug Mataconis

   July 24, 2013 at 2:14 pm

   Bush Sr is no doubt drawn to something like this by the loss of his daughter Robin to cancer in childhood.
2. 

   James Joyner

   July 24, 2013 at 2:17 pm

   @Doug Mataconis: Yeah, that surely plays a part in it. But I think he’s just a helluva guy to begin with and is pretty sentimental in his old age.
   1. 

      Doug Mataconis

      July 24, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      James,

      I will admit that my respect for the guy has grown in the years since he left the White House. I wasn’t entirely thrilled with him between 1989 and 1993 for a couple reasons. In retrospect, though, things weren’t so bad back then
3. 

   beth

   July 24, 2013 at 2:37 pm

   He’s the last Republican I ever voted for. I didn’t always agree with his policies but I felt he was doing what he did because he thought it was right for the country, He just seemed like a good person. Today’s Republicans could take a lesson from him.
4. 

   Mu

   July 24, 2013 at 2:39 pm

   In retrospect, though, things weren’t so bad back then

   And that Sir is depressing in and of itself
5. 

   Jenos Idanian #13

   July 24, 2013 at 2:45 pm

   Say what you want about them, the two Bushes have been two of our best ex-presidents.
6. 

   bill

   July 24, 2013 at 3:21 pm

   i admire Bush, hope this brings some publicity for orgs like the marrow donor program. i donated years ago, it was easy and you get the best free physical ever. a friend of mine also had leukemia, survived after getting a marrow transfer. hopefully this kid beats it for good, nothing like kids with cancer.
   the Bush’s are horrible public speakers with minimal charisma, it’s genetic i think.
7. 

   Caj

   July 24, 2013 at 3:35 pm

   Kudos to President Bush. What a sweet thing to do for that little boy and his family. That’s what life’s about, showing kindness of thought for others.
8. 

   Neil Hudelson

   July 24, 2013 at 3:37 pm

   @Jenos Idanian #13:

   What makes you say that about W.? He’s lived a quiet life–which is admirable–but has he really done anything to be considered a great ex president?
9. 

   Rafer Janders

   July 24, 2013 at 3:39 pm

   @Jenos Idanian #13:

   Say what you want about them, the two Bushes have been two of our best ex-presidents.

   Absolutely. Turns out you put the Bushes in a situation with no power or responsibility, and where they’re no longer allowed to actively screw things up, and they really start to shine. Genial country-club glad-hander, it turns out, is their real strong suit.
10. 

    anjin-san

    July 24, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    GHW is allright.
11. 

    PJ

    July 24, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    @Neil Hudelson:

    What makes you say that about W.? He’s lived a quiet life–which is admirable–but has he really done anything to be considered a great ex president?

    Him living a quiet life may make voters forget about the last Republican President and make them more likely to vote for another one 2016. Which I guess is awesome to people like Mutt Williams.
12. 

    PJ

    July 24, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    Unless I see some long form birth certificates and doctors showing proof that the kid actually has cancer, I’m not buying it.

    This is all a viral campaign for the last eps of Breaking Bad.

    😉
    —-

    Mad Props for GHW Bush.
13. 

    Gustopher

    July 24, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    @Rafer Janders: It’s sad that W. had to put his art career on hold to be President. Honestly, that’s where his true calling and talent is.
14. 

    Tillman

    July 24, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    GHW had a great line in what I think was an episode of Animaniacs or Freakazoid, can’t remember which (cartoons from the ’90s) — he was signing a bill into law and remarked that his bosses would be quite pleased with it. His aide asks, “Bosses?” and he replies, “All three hundred million of ’em!”

    He was definitely the most qualified President we’ve ever had.
15. 

    Steve V

    July 24, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    What a guy. That’s really sweet of him. Also — that poor kid must be going through hell with the treatments. Very sad.
16. 

    Jenos Idanian

    July 24, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    @Neil Hudelson: What makes you say that about W.? He’s lived a quiet life–which is admirable–but has he really done anything to be considered a great ex president?

    That’s actually my top criterion for a great ex-president — they serve their time, then quietly absent themselves from the public stage. Reagan did much the same, after a rather poorly-chosen big payola speech in Japan.

    Carter is a global public menace. Clinton keeps thinking that he still has some kind of authority. I recall one time he showed up for a presser with Obama at the White House to lend support for something or other, and then Obama gave some lame excuse and screwed. Clinton kept the presser going, just freewheeling and answering any and all questions tossed his way — from the podium of the President of the United States.

    We can only have one president at a time, and here’s Bill Clinton acting like he’s still running things. Obama essentially handed over his authority to Clinton.

    The Bushes understand that it’s their obligation to NOT make news, NOT wade into politics.

    I can think of only three ex-presidents who had successful political careers after leaving office: John Quincy Adams, Chester Arthur, and Grover Cleveland. So unless you go to the House of Representatives to fight against slavery, run for president again after leaving, or become appointed Chief Justice, just go into history.

    Oh, and Herbert Hoover. He was a damned good ex-president, too. And like George W. Bush, the Democrat who followed him ran against Hoover, not the actual nominee.
17. 

    repsac3

    July 25, 2013 at 12:57 am

    “I’m not sure Patrick gets the gesture.”

    That was my first reaction when seeing the picture. He doesn’t look thrilled to be sitting on GWB’s lap… At the very least he was far more interested in whatever was going on to his right.

    Good for Bush, though… Didn’t agree with his policies, but he seemed to be a likable guy, even when he was President, and even mores, after. (No so for his son, though… Not so far, anyway…)
18. 

    Corey Mondello

    July 25, 2013 at 2:51 am

    Seeing as the young boys father used to work for the SS, does his medical care get paid for by tax payers money? If that’s the case, once again, Republicans are being hypocrits!
19. 

    James Joyner

    July 25, 2013 at 5:02 am

    @Corey Mondello: I’m not sure why it would be hypocritical but, in fact, no. Other than uniformed military, federal workers have private medical insurance just like most private sector workers.
20. 

    Moosebreath

    July 25, 2013 at 7:02 am

    @Jenos Idanian:

    “or become appointed Chief Justice”

    I think you are thinking of Taft, not Arthur.
21. 

    Franklin

    July 25, 2013 at 8:01 am

    GHWB still seems like a good guy. It’s too bad that he’s somewhat responsible for his son.
22. 

    Jenos Idanian #13

    July 25, 2013 at 11:17 am

    @Moosebreath: Thank you, you’re right. I meant JQ Adams, Cleveland, and Taft. Somehow I had in my head Arthur serving the two non-consecutive terms.
23. 

    Franklin

    July 25, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    @Franklin: Is the downvote because I complimented the father, or insulted the son? Inquiring minds want to know!
24. 

    Rob Prather

    July 26, 2013 at 7:13 am

    @Jenos Idanian #13: far be it from me to agree with Jenos, but he’s right here. They’ve retired with dignity even though Dubya didn’t do that as president.