May 4th, 2011
04:30 PM ET
10 years ago
Opinions divided over Bush's no-show at ground zero
Washington (CNN) - When President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial on Thursday, he had hoped to be joined by former President George W. Bush. But in declining this invitation, Bush has left some observers puzzled, while others were supportive of his decision.
Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin says it's odd that Bush, who made it his mission to hunt down Osama bin Laden, will not appear alongside Obama. The trip to New York comes just days after the president announced bin Laden's death by U.S. forces in Pakistan.
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I have to laugh at liberals when they say this is "Obama's moment". Such a thought is ludicrous. Obama simply kept in place the policy of hunting down Bin Laden. It was the right thing to do, and I give him credit for recognizing that fact. With that said, I think it's a monumental mistake for Obama to try and make this into something about him and visit "ground zero" to commemorate the death of Bin Laden. The fall of Bin Laden is just one event in a long road yet to come. I don't mean to trivialize the efforts of the CIA and the special forces, but there is too much work to be done. Too many threats that continue to exist for this to become a political statement. It's classless and disturbing.
@The Day of Financial Reckoning is HERE
You guys are trying to give BUSH half the CREDIT for the capture and killing of Osama – So why shouldn't he go to Ground Zero and take HALF THE CREDIT???? Maybe it's because he feels he does not deserve HALF THE CREDIT!!!!!
Not surprising to me. He's stupid and has made a host of stupid decisions. Add this to the stinking pile that is the past of a rediculous man.
Inmyopinion@5:50 p.m.
Bush abandoned the CIA unit in charge of hunting Bin Ladin in 2006. Obama was criticized by McCain for wanting to go into Pakistan and get OBL without their permission.
All bush did was use a bullhorn, take his eye off the ball and give up in the hunt.
Just further proves what half of us have said all along....no class, no concern what's best for America...it's just me, me, me...typical republican.
To the sitting president goes the spoils . . . Period!
On another NOTE and I hope this gets posted:
The RIGHT want to take credit for the killing of Bin Laden – claiming BUSH had the intelligence and "torturing" was the key!!! Okay – so I have a question – Would the SAME RIGHT take credit if the mission FAILED??????????????????????????????????? Oh NO they WON'T!!!! They will BLAME President Obama and make up some OTHER PLAN that Bush would have followed if he were in charge – GIVE ME A BREAK – Dang!!! And I guess if the Republicans were in charge they will "keep torturing!!!"
Just like Libya – the Republicans was FOR IT before they were against it – criticized it after they praised it and to this day would NEVER give President Obama credit for anything!!! It's so outrageous and MANY Americans can see through it!!
I see no issue with Bush declining to attend the event. As someone mentioned above, this is Obama's moment. Bill Clinton didn't come out to the WTC with Bush right after the attack, even though Clinton was already fighting Bin Laden before the 2000 elections.
"John" said: 'No matter what Obama does the idiots from the right will always complain.'
It's quite obvious from some of the anti-Bush comments on here that the "idiot" door swings both ways.
Honestly, I do not know why Bush wouldn't want to be there to celebrate the end of Usama bin Laden. IF Bush wanted to not be in the 'spotlight' then why did he go on a national tour to peddle his book?
That's okay though, Bush can stay home. After all, in 2007 when asked about Usama bin Laden, Bush said, "I don't know where he is, and I don't give him much thought." SEVEN years Bush had to "get" bin Laden, and he didn't........ now along comes a president whom the Far-Right nuts despise, and ........ President Obama fulfills the promise he made on Oct. 7, 2008....... and the Far-Right is still spewing lies.
@Inmyopinion: President Obama did not start the hunt for bin Laden......... HE FINISHED IT.
Please! First Obama says that he wont release the photos because that's not what we do. Now he is on his "I killed UBL" victory tour. Is that what we do? The pictures wont help Obama's re-election. The victory tour might. Why should Bush engage in this? President Bush is far above this behavior!
Day of reckoning
Where is your proof that Obama was not telling the truth about Bush and Cheney We want proof !! If you want to thank Bush for the three trillion dollar diversion to Iraq go do it yourself because I am pretty sure you are the only one that thinks Bush should be commended for dropping the ball on Osama and taking the country to into financial ruins all while saying he did not care where Osama was. Think before you post !!
Inmyopinion
You really dont understand the difference in a forty minute operation to take the most wanted man in the world and Bush killing thousands of innocent people all while making Cheney and Haliburton rich ? You really dont see a difference between Obama methotically getting credible intellegence against the lies about weapons of mass destruction ? You seriously dont understand the difference ? I feel very sorry for you. God Bless
Obama succeeded where Bush failed. Bush doesn't want to stand next to the man who accomplished what Bush could not. Bush's presence would just invite comparisons of their respective approaches to the fight against terrorism.
Bush does not want the world to see this really short ex-prez standing next to the current-prez who is head and shoulders above him.
I applaud Pres. Bush for not taking a victory lap on the grave site of 3,000 Americans.
What is obviously (or should I say, transparently?) pathetic is Obama and his inept handlers do not see that this campaign stop only cheapens this accomplishment! I can't blame Bush or anybody else for not wanting to be seen at this political pandering event
Bush is ashamed to show up. He is such an uncouth, redneck cowboy. I am glad he is not going. He is an embarassment to the USA.