J-10
06-25-2004, 12:04 AM
Clinton: 'I Always Liked' Bush's Father
Former President Clinton Says He 'Always Liked' Former President Bush
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON June 24, 2004 — Former President Clinton said he "always really liked former President Bush" despite their political disagreements.
"Even when I was running against him, I always liked him," Clinton said on CNN's "Larry King Live" Thursday. "I thought he was a gentleman and a patriot who loved his country and wanted to do the best for it."
Of the current President Bush, Clinton said, "Even when I disagree with his policies, I'm always pulling for my country."
Earlier, Clinton said he could have envisioned himself ordering an attack on Iraq if United Nations weapons inspectors had ended their search with the conclusion that Iraq had not cooperated.
"If Hans Blix had completed his inspections and said, 'They're not cooperating, and I cannot find out the truth, and they have refused to cooperate, and I'm done,' then I would have done so," Clinton said in the third part of a pre-taped interview aired on NBC's "Today" show Thursday.
Blix, the former chief U.N. weapons inspector, had asked for more time to complete inspections before the Iraq war.
Asked about the timing of the release of his memoir, "My Life," in relation to the presidential race, he said, "To say it would suck the lifeblood of the Kerry campaign I think is an insult to the American people."
In the interview with Larry King, Clinton expressed support for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's presidential bid, adding that he has already appeared at several campaign events.
"I know John Kerry well and I believe he'd be a good president," said Clinton. "I think he has a lot of good qualities not just because he agrees with me, but psychologically he's well suited to be president."
When asked about his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., someday running for president, Clinton said, "I hope Senator Kerry wins this time, so if that happens for our side, there won't be another presidential race for eight years."
Still, he said: "If she wanted to present herself and if she got elected she would be magnificent. Therefore for my country, I would love it. For her, you know, I'd rather take trips with her."
abcnews (http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040624_2275.html)
Former President Clinton Says He 'Always Liked' Former President Bush
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON June 24, 2004 — Former President Clinton said he "always really liked former President Bush" despite their political disagreements.
"Even when I was running against him, I always liked him," Clinton said on CNN's "Larry King Live" Thursday. "I thought he was a gentleman and a patriot who loved his country and wanted to do the best for it."
Of the current President Bush, Clinton said, "Even when I disagree with his policies, I'm always pulling for my country."
Earlier, Clinton said he could have envisioned himself ordering an attack on Iraq if United Nations weapons inspectors had ended their search with the conclusion that Iraq had not cooperated.
"If Hans Blix had completed his inspections and said, 'They're not cooperating, and I cannot find out the truth, and they have refused to cooperate, and I'm done,' then I would have done so," Clinton said in the third part of a pre-taped interview aired on NBC's "Today" show Thursday.
Blix, the former chief U.N. weapons inspector, had asked for more time to complete inspections before the Iraq war.
Asked about the timing of the release of his memoir, "My Life," in relation to the presidential race, he said, "To say it would suck the lifeblood of the Kerry campaign I think is an insult to the American people."
In the interview with Larry King, Clinton expressed support for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's presidential bid, adding that he has already appeared at several campaign events.
"I know John Kerry well and I believe he'd be a good president," said Clinton. "I think he has a lot of good qualities not just because he agrees with me, but psychologically he's well suited to be president."
When asked about his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., someday running for president, Clinton said, "I hope Senator Kerry wins this time, so if that happens for our side, there won't be another presidential race for eight years."
Still, he said: "If she wanted to present herself and if she got elected she would be magnificent. Therefore for my country, I would love it. For her, you know, I'd rather take trips with her."
abcnews (http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040624_2275.html)