Washington (CNN) - A representative for former President Bill Clinton is confirming a report that a scheduled event featuring Clinton and former President George W. Bush has been cancelled by the two ex-presidents.
Radio City Music Hall had announced that the two former presidents were set to share the legendary venue's stage on February 25.
But the New York Post reported on Wednesday afternoon that Bush and Clinton have cancelled the event because the promoter had "overhyped" the joint appearance.
In an e-mail to CNN, Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna confirmed the New York Post's report.
Earlier, McKenna had stressed that the New York event would not be a heated debate.
"Just a moderated conversation...no fireworks," he said.
Earlier: Bush, Clinton to appear at Radio City Music Hall
–CNN's Alexander Mooney and Kay Jones contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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glad GWB did not lower himself....
Bush was unwilling to appear with the previous president that had given him surpluses which he turned into debits. How could Clinton calmly sit there? I don't know, but I think Bush didn't want to find out if Clinton could actually restrain himself.
Over-hyped? Sure....more likely they weren't seeing enough early sales or interest to justify keeping the engagement. Not when they each can make millions giving sole appearances and just talking to a bunch of Party glad-handers for an hour.
A Texas dolt and a Rhoades Scholar??? Wonder why??
How could it have not ben anything other than a heated debate?
smart move on Clinton's part! why would he want to share the stage with the man that has divided America?
to bad, I was really looking forward to watching Bill rip bush the culo he deserves.
Just as well. I would prefer to never see a Bush on the public stage again. Ever. And yes, I do beleive Bill Clinton is too good to shake this thug's hand. Bush simply does not want to go up against anyone more intelligent or articulate than he is, especially now that we are seeing the full impact of the Bush Economic accumen.
Just please go away George. Let the nation heal from what you have done to us. Just please go away.
Good Idea! Clinton has no business hanging out with the Bush family! But then again, they do have many contacts and lots of ill-gotten MONEY! maybe someone needs to tell Bill he looks bad hanging with this wrecking crew! Just look at the fallout Now! We need a citizen's arrest of Mr. Bush. All of the folks tasked with protecting our Constitution must just be too busy to "protect and defend" or the FIX was in long ago! We do know the correct answer here, but then so does everyone who reads anything of substance! Most are complicit with letting this war criminal go free! But then again, he was just the front-man, not the real Decider! Just wondering what the rest of you all think? Peace
Guys, they have met before in this type of setting to good reviews, so all the 'chickened out' or 'unwilling to appear' or 'dolt' comments are really pretty stupid.
I tip my hat to both Bill and George. I wish the Congress, Senate, White House, and media could look at the positive things both those presidents did, get rid of the negative things they did, and resolve our domestic, foreign, and environmental problems. There is no reason everyone in America who wants a job should not have one. The majority of Americans are happy when we are all able to work and not have to resort to crime to survive.
Clinton's financial contract demands could not be met.
It's more than "overhyped" that caused this cancellation and the media needs to do more digging for the truth.
Glad to see Clinton backed out before he got embarrassed.
All you have to do is read some of the liberal comments (Karen@) here and you will see why the nation is so divided. Read them and some of the other liberal comments in some of the other posts about republicans and conservatives. These same people (Sniffit@) then turn around an call the republicans the party of hate.. I think the drugs have seriously addled their minds. Nasty, unhappy, bunch people, great advertisments about the effects of liberal thought process.
Guess Clinton couldn't handle the heat after causing the housing crisis,no suprise there.
Since Clinton caused the economic meltdown it's no wonder he didn't want to debate Bush. Kind of hard explaining away the Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac debacle that Clinton caused.
They both look REALLY old. The Presidency beats the daylights out of you, especially eight years. They share knowledge and experiences that transcend petty politics. It would have been interesting.
I would have liked to hear Bush ask why Clinton didn't do more to catch Bin Laden when he and Sandy Berger had the chance and avoid killing 3000 Americans on 911.
Cheney or Rush told Bush to cancel, I betcha!
To Dan Smith .....
George W. Bush's stance on housing during the 2004 Republican Convention Acceptance Speech
This speech was delivered at the 2004 Republican National Convention on September 2, 2004 when George W. Bush officially accepted the Republican nomination to run for President.
"Another priority for a new term is to build an ownership society, because ownership brings security, and dignity, and independence. Thanks to our policies, homeownership in America is at an all-time high. Tonight we set a new goal: seven million more affordable homes in the next 10 years so more American families will be able to open the door and say welcome to my home."
I wonder what these policies were that put so many people into homes they couldn't afford?
Thanks George. You yourself take the credit for this disaster.
Clinton has more smarts in his small toe than Bush has in his entire body!
Thank you Mr. ex-President Bill Clinton.
the least joy the cancellation brought to a democrat' heart in heart, is that he will not read once more, his calling you "my brother".
i can not imagine anybody would like to be his brother.
however, i cannot speak for Jeb, though Michael is a good match.
And by-the-way, Jake, he did not divide America, it was and is the American public, us, who have been lending their ears now and then to lies and deciets of so-called "citizens" of this great country.
Hey "Proud Member" ,dont feel bad,I would have you swinging from a tree as an Neocon traitor.Opposition is not the same as calling for America to fail.
Cancelled? I can see why. Bush, the worst president ever to be on stage with Clinton, one of the best president's ever.
Imagine the questions. "Mr. Bush, why did you squander the surplus that President Clinton amassed after you were illegally "selected" as president not once but twice?"
"Mr. Bush, who did you pay off to not get impeached when you lied, violated the Constitution, denied civil liberties and basically destroyed America?"
I was sooo looking forward to Pinkie (Bush) and the Brain (Clinton)!
I wonder what caused this cancellation within twenty four hours.
Jim, actually it was the Clinton Administration that started the housing disaster. I worked for a bank in the late 90s and watched dozens of applicants who shouldn't have been approved get mortgages because the Clinton people were pushing CRA – Community Reinvestment Act. Which, if memory serves, started under Carter. I'll have to double-check that last though.
On to the subject - I've noticed that most former Presidents seem to get along fairly well with each other. Okay, Nixon might be an exception. LOL.. But it's obvious that Bush 41 and Clinton got along well.
To those whom may be unaware: Clinton was not a particularly good president. He would be smart now however, to maintain the somewhat positive image he has by not having photo ops with George W. Bush. Good move, Clinton, but I'm still angry that you didn't get a rein on Obama bin Laden when you were advised to because you were busy (with other things) in the White House.
If you think about it you really can't blame the Presidents, but pass it on to the Congress who has to vote on the bills first before they go to the President for a signature....Weren't the Republicans holding most of the seats anyway?
Bush just kept the mortgage boondoggle going anyway.
The club of living Presidents is small and I am sure the conversation about their different experiences in leading this country would be informative and surprising.
As a country we can not lead or accomplish anything because we can not have a conversation!
I just heard Chris Matthews compare Obama to Bill Clinton and it wasn't pretty.
Better stop blaming GWB for all the problems we have today...it's not working
Wow, people sure do forget quickly what an awful president Clinton was.
When terrorists bombed the WTC, Clinton did nothing.
When terrorists bombed our embassies in Africa, Clinton did nothing.
When terrorists bombed the USS Cole, Clinton did nothing.
When terrorists attacked our troops in Somalia, Clinton pulled them out.
Seems the only time Clinton did anything like a military strike was against a Sudanese pharmaceutical factory to draw attention away from his various domestic scandals.
BTW, the "internet bubble" burst in 2000–on Clinton's watch. I guess left-wing sheeple tend to forget there was another economic downturn prior to the current one.
Here I am wondering how Bush is not in jail for war crimes and fairly confident that he will go down in history as one of the worst Presidents ever and yet there are people still cheer leading for him. Either these folks need to expand their sources of information or I need to drastically narrow mine. Can anyone suggest some news sources for which I should limit myself?
Thanks
It is a good thing that the Right-Wing and Left-Wing can work together on the Nations issue? Rep. vs Dem. vs Ind. Out of many one!!!
No one is perfect. No one can fix everything. No one can really do that much. It's not a bad thought to let people be able to get homes they can't afford. That's a good gesture. Only problem is, they should have planned for none of the loans to hardly be repaid. That's what caused the collapse. It's as if no one in congress plans for anything. Just like 9/11. They had been attacked in the Clinton administration and then were warned in the Bush administration. Most of them just get in power to try to get money for some special interest they have. None of them really have the interest of the people at heart.
I wouldn't want to be on the same stage as Bush either.
the last thing we need is ex presidents duking it out on stage. Glad they decided to take a pass. Lets try for a little civility please.
Bush wanted and intended to be a good president, but as I have often heard, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." So we now see the truth in that saying.
George who? The $4.95 one?
They agreed not to disclose the fact that Bill Clinton started this whole Financial Meltdown with his repeal of the Glass Steagall Act and GWB just ran with it.
Bush has been getting all the credit for the Meltdown by Libs, bu not true.
Bubba started it.
Thanks Bill!
You Liberals just hate it that one of your own can actually like someone who thinks different from them.
Operation Crush Rush,
He actually did not want America to fail. He wants Obama to fail. If Obama fails Americans succeed in holding onto their prime liberties and rights. Rush has explained this countless times. He loves American Individualism and this is something our current president has much disdain for. If you are going to openly criticize someone please do some research.
Wise decision on Clinton's part, why would he ever even consider sharing a stage with Bush (bleh).
What's to debate. Clinton left a surplus and Bush took the surplus and an extra 5 trillion and went back to Crawford, Texas. He needed the cash to pay the Mexican workers for cutting wood on his ranch and to pay ICE to look the other way.
Repubies everywhere just breathed a sigh of relief. Another of many Bush embarrassing moments has just been averted. We don't need to remind the world, just how dumb this clown (GWB) is.
Guess someone pointed out to W, the disparity in size between his ego and his brain. Pity, it would have been wonderful comedy!
Perhaps Bill came to his senses and didn't want his post presidential venures to be financially ruined like everything elese Bush has touched. Bush is King Midas in reverse.
okay folks, here is your big chance. If Clinton was the cause of the housing disaster and the economic collapse as you claim, then what would be George W. Bush's excuse for not fixing it, especially in the 6 years where he had majorities in the House and Senate? (and Supreme court, I might add).
I think too much was made of this meeting and Clinton probably had to decline. It's too much publicity and face time for him and it takes away (once more) from Hillary's attention and coverage. Her relationships and current negotiations at this time are much too sensitive to risk Bill having some sort of public tantrum or blowup. She's got to hold onto what credibility she has. Bill already contributed to her being insulted and derided by Kim Jong Il of N. Korea recently, then he had to take over the diplomatic role getting those young girls back home, so no more risks of damaging Madame Secretary's image.
It would have being nice to see both former Presidents together. I would think that both of them would have many interesting comments to whatever questions were asked. Needless to say, I am sure that President Clinton's remarks would be much more intelligent and his answers much more factual and relevant to the questions. On the other hand, President Bush's comments would be a bit irrelevant to the questions, but I personally like him. However, President Clinton is tops in my list, but I thank them both for their efforts in taking care of our country.
I wish we could have elected President Bush to a third term. Vote Republican in 2010 and 2012.
This would have been a slaughter, so it's just as well. Might as well have Tiger Woods go down to the local Putt-Putt.
It doesn't concern me why the meeting was called off. It does concern me that there are so many stupid people that still believe President Bush was a good president and those same people can't seem to remember what good economic times the country had while President Clinton was president. They also don't remember how much surplus money the country had and how President Bush just squandered it away. Dan Smith, go back to your sandbox, as you must be too young to have lived through the Clinton years.
Too bad. I'm sure this event would have raised a lot of money for various charities. I think it's too bad that even after people are out of office that politics keeps them from being able to be 'real people'.
Perhaps this will be rescheduled.
I'm glad it's cancelled. I just didn't see the point of a debate between 2 ex presidents.
Some build America & some do a good job to desroy it
It amazes me that the libs constantly talk about all of the Repub "haters".......then they continue to write only vile, cruel, and hateful comments. Some things will never change. Pathetic.
these two baby boomers are losers.
GWB would have "lowered himself?" Ha! BC would have eaten him alive. Love him or hate him, he's extremely intelligent and politically adept, and he can actually speak English!
It's too bad that we've come to the point that we can't respect 2 former Presidents taking to a stage to have a civil discussion with each other. I would think as a society we'd value their thoughts a little more but in today's world of scream and soundbites-I am asking too much.
Watching one of the most intelligent people in the world have a discussion with one of the dumbest? That would have been good!
Gotta tell ya.....I miss GWB – I miss his dumb gaze and his inability to articulate a coherent thought. late night was more fun back then.
I hope we don't get fooled again.
If it was truely going to be just "tame conversation" w/o any fireworks, then why the need to cancel...what's there to worry about? I think Dubbya realized he was going to be in over his head against the Rhodes scholar in Clinton and backed out. Who cares if Monica polished his knob, Clinton's presidency will always be regarded as better than the Bush disaster.
they were probably worried that they wold have to have a massive shoe-check booth to keep one of the participants from having to duck and weave like Muhammed Ali....
but seriously – I can understand wanting ot hear what an intelligent and thoughtful leader, a true civil servant and great Ameriican like Bill Clinton would have to say, but bush????? If I never heard his stupid phony Texas twang or his retarded mangling of our language or even his disgraceful name again it would be a winderfl thing. If we could expunge allrecord and memory of his disasterous presidnency – like how the Egyptians used to carve off all mention of failed Pharoes - how cool would that be? there would simply be a blank spot in the presidential portrait gallery – things like that.
Bush couldn't win a debate with Socks, the Clinton's cat.
I better not hear that the tax payers are paying for these two manipulators to appear at Radio Music Hall to spew more trash! They should just step back and realize that their time in the sun, as undeserved as it was, is OVER!
Yes, and you, CNN.com, added to the hype yourself. Your story itself began and ended with disclaimers that this was not a debate, heated or otherwise, only a joint apprearance. But your pandering, mendacious headline on your homepage read "Clinton, Bush to Square Off". That's not reporting, it's lying.
Look at the picture, doesn't Bush look EVIL? Kind of looks like Satan.
You know about the Skull-and-Bones organization, at Yale, that Bush, his daddy, and his grandpa belong to don't you?
So many Republicans on here blaming Clinton for this or for that but yet they whine when they are reminded that Bush screwed the country and President Obama is having to clean up the mess. Hmmmm.........
After what GWB did to America i didnt think he would sit down and have a talk about it with Bill Clinton. Anyway who cares what GWB has to say maybe he should go and hide in a cave!
The abated battle between the morally bankrupt Clinton and the intellectually bankrupt Bush.
Why in heaven's name would Bill Clinton want to do anything with George W. Bush, a failed U.S. president? Bill Clinton, a successul U.S. president, has better things to do with his time than to hang around with George W. Bush. No self respecting democratic politician would want to be seen with this man. I am glad the event was cancelled. The event never should have been staged in the first place.
Its because of the hateful leftist liberals this meeting didn't take place. Why should either President who have both been vilified for St. Obama put his neck out so the yes we can sheep can tear them apart if they disagree with his holiness. Remember Clinton was an idiot who would've hindered Hillary's Presidency during the Primary.
So I guess the pending Temporal Lobe Lobotomy Bill Clinton was going to have to even things out with the Kenny Bunk Port Cowboy will not be necessary.
What's with this? This was going to be so entertaining- as much as listening to Rambling, Rich Rush.
President Bush should never speak in the same room as the speaker of almost all speakers: President Clinton. He should send Vice President Cheney, Carl Rove or one of the twins. President Clinton will have mercy on them.
Clinton did the right thing, by canceling the show with G.W.B. shows that you can do it politely and just schedule it somewhere else like in CA which makes it easier for people to drive to. Clinton was the one who gave me rather a good wage, and it went up till about 99 and then after that it went down and continued to go down. So my point is one was smarter and did the right thing.
Tip my Cap to Mr. Clinton. Keep up the good work.
Hope to see your show sometime.
Why don't these two just get off the stage period; who needs them?
Didn't they do enough to make us suffer when they were in the White House? We need better leaders. I'm still hoping Pres. Obama doesn't become another Clinton triangulator.
Good for Bill Clinton for cancelling any public appearance with GWBush, our war criminal ex-president. No decent Democrat should ever share a stage or public forum with that bag of slime. Let's continue to hope that Bush is indicted for his crimes one day. It's never to late and there is no statute of limitations for war crimes.