Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 10:33:53 GMT -5
www.npr.org/2017/07/13/537143950/bill-clinton-and-george-w-bush-bond-in-conversation-about-leadership
More at link, including video.
On Thursday, former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton shared a stage and their ideas on what makes a strong leader in today's world.
The intimate conversation was part of the graduation ceremony for the 2017 class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program held at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.
Despite their opposing political affiliations the two say they have been on very friendly terms for decades and their affinity was on full display. They are two of 13 presidents in American history who served consecutive terms.
"He's a brother from a different mother," joked Bush early on, drawing a burst of laughter from the audience.
Bush also confessed that in the early days of his presidency he would often call Clinton for advice. While Clinton admitted his friendship with Bush's father and Clinton's predecessor, George H.W. Bush, was crucial to his success.
Though neither former leader mentioned their current successor by name both made remarks that could be interpreted as slights against President Trump.
When asked by the moderator of the event what is the most important quality for a person to possess if they hope to become president of the United States, Bush replied, "Humility."
"I think it's really important to know what you don't know and listen to people who do know what you don't know," Bush added.
Clinton suggested clarity and purpose. "Realize it's about the people, not you," he said. "A lot of these people who are real arrogant in office, they forget. ... You don't want to say, 'God, look at all those people I beat.' "
Bush also referred to the passing of the presidential baton between his father and Clinton as an example of model world-leader behavior: "[Clinton] was humble in victory which is very important in dealing with other people. And I think Dad was willing to rise above the political contest. In other words, it starts with the individual's character and both men, in my judgment, displayed strong character."
The intimate conversation was part of the graduation ceremony for the 2017 class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program held at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.
Despite their opposing political affiliations the two say they have been on very friendly terms for decades and their affinity was on full display. They are two of 13 presidents in American history who served consecutive terms.
"He's a brother from a different mother," joked Bush early on, drawing a burst of laughter from the audience.
Bush also confessed that in the early days of his presidency he would often call Clinton for advice. While Clinton admitted his friendship with Bush's father and Clinton's predecessor, George H.W. Bush, was crucial to his success.
Though neither former leader mentioned their current successor by name both made remarks that could be interpreted as slights against President Trump.
When asked by the moderator of the event what is the most important quality for a person to possess if they hope to become president of the United States, Bush replied, "Humility."
"I think it's really important to know what you don't know and listen to people who do know what you don't know," Bush added.
Clinton suggested clarity and purpose. "Realize it's about the people, not you," he said. "A lot of these people who are real arrogant in office, they forget. ... You don't want to say, 'God, look at all those people I beat.' "
Bush also referred to the passing of the presidential baton between his father and Clinton as an example of model world-leader behavior: "[Clinton] was humble in victory which is very important in dealing with other people. And I think Dad was willing to rise above the political contest. In other words, it starts with the individual's character and both men, in my judgment, displayed strong character."