Bush pays Bill rare tribute
2004-06-14 20:27
Washington - In a rare election-year political truce, US President George W Bush warmly paid tribute to Bill Clinton and even plugged his forthcoming memoirs at his formal White House portrait unveiling on Monday.
"Bill Clinton showed incredible energy and great personal appeal. As chief executive, he showed a deep and far-ranging knowledge of public policy, a great compassion for people in need, and the forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president," Bush said in a speech at the ceremony.
Bush and First Lady Laura Bush sat with Clinton, first-lady-turned Senator Hillary Clinton and their daughter Chelsea as the former first couple's individual portraits were unveiled before being hung in the White House.
Bush said that Clinton's rise from humble beginnings in the rural state of Arkansas "took more than charm and intellect. It took hard work and drive and determination and optimism."
"I can tell you more of the story, but it's coming out in fine bookstores all over America," Bush quipped, a reference to Clinton's memoirs, My Life, which comes out June 22.
"The president, by his generous words to Hillary and me today, has proved once again that in the end, we are held together by this grand system of ours that permits us to debate and struggle and fight for what we believe is right," said Clinton.
The upbeat, friendly exchange came after a week of mourning for former president Ronald Reagan, and as Clinton seemed ready to retake the spotlight he reluctantly gave up three years ago with his book tour.
My Life enjoys a record 1.5 million copy first printing. Publishers Alfred A Knopf paid Clinton an advance of more than $10m for the 957-page autobiography.
In the coming weeks, the former president has planned a barrage of interviews with top US celebrity journalists to tout the book.
Clinton, who left office in January 2001 after serving two terms, also is planning an extravaganza in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas in November to mark the opening of the William J Clinton Presidential Centre.
- SAPA