# Why are the Clintons and Bushes so close? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 21, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720 "2017-01-21T15:17:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/1 "2017-01-21T15:17:57Z")
Watching them at the inauguration it was clear that there is genuine warmth and friendship between them and I’ve seen countless stories in the media confirming this. But George W is one of the most hated of Republicans by Democrats, second only to Donald himself. I know that W loathes Trump so I guess that counts in his favor but otherwise he has so many black marks scored against him by liberals that you’d imagine these two couples would be the unlikeliest of friends. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/2 "2017-01-21T15:24:15Z")
[Bill Clinton and George W Bush spurn partisanship for friendship](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/23/bill-clinton-george-w-bush-friends-2016-elections) > [@](#): > > George W Bush and Bill Clinton have revealed how they started to grow close, to the point where Bush has taken to calling his Democratic predecessor his “brother from another mother”. > > Clinton began working with Bush’s father, President George HW Bush, in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami. The two continued such fundraising work after Hurricane Katrina and a relationship was born. If that meant that one Bush became a surrogate father to Clinton, the other became a surrogate brother. And: [Bush: My Sweet Dad, a Wonderful Father to Bill Clinton and Me](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/11/18/bush_my_sweet_daddy_a_wonderful_father_to_bill_clinton_and_me_124685.html) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/3 "2017-01-21T15:28:24Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Any thoughts? Don’t all the ex-presidents get along quite well? I’m sure I’ve seen GHWB and BC being warm and friendly to each other before too. Maybe it just comes down to the fact that if an ex-President really needs to talk to someone about their experience in office, there’s only a limited peer-group available. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/4 "2017-01-21T15:33:08Z")
Another factor is that you don’t get elected President unless you’re a likable person on a individual level. I’ve heard conservatives say how surprised they are to find that Bill Clinton is a charming person when they met him and liberals say the same thing about George W Bush. It’s not surprising that two personable individuals with a common background would become friends. They’ve both put politics behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/5 "2017-01-21T15:36:18Z")
W. was very nice to Hillary when she was first senator and they did each other mutual favours, eg: he did what she said on repairing New York ( according to her claims — I rather think they would have done it in any case ) and in return she voted for his war ( on the other hand as an imperialist she never met a war she didn’t like ). But the Families have both been in politics over the last 30 odd years and faced many of the same problems, and they share many of the same beliefs, and gosh darn it, they just _like_ each other. Then again the Clintons and the Trumps have always been friends, golfing, dining, praising each other ( the human equivalent of monkey grooming ) and socializing, and something like an election doesn’t break a real true friendship that will last. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hillary has now rationalized the result, and spent yesterday glancing at her old friend Donnie, thinking “_Better him than me, better him than me._…” The thing is these top politicians, whether in America or Russia — but especially in America with all the money ties — are a separate class: the great families may squabble and indulge in magnificent rivalries, but in the end they have more in common with other dogial or boyar clans than anyone who will never come near power — whether he cleans the canals or plants the good grain. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/6 "2017-01-21T15:38:30Z")
They have more in common with each other than either does with any of us. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/7 "2017-01-21T16:07:36Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Why are the Clintons and Bushes so close? Each one has had _their turn_ in the Barrel. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/8 "2017-01-21T16:17:32Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > Then again the Clintons and the Trumps have always been friends, golfing, dining, praising each other ( the human equivalent of monkey grooming ) and socializing, and something like an election doesn’t break a real true friendship that will last. I used to hear a lot about the friendship between Chelsea and Ivanka. Haven’t heard anything about that for several months now. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/9 "2017-01-21T16:43:04Z")
**aldiboronti,** you might find this book of interest: [The Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity](https://www.amazon.ca/Presidents-Club-Inside-Exclusive-Fraternity/dp/1439127727). Interestingly, the most unpopular ex-president in the Club appears to be Jimmy Carter, who hasn’t given up politics as thoroughly as the others and has been more critical of his successors, both Republicans and Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/10 "2017-01-21T16:51:27Z")
It used to be, not all that long ago, that both parties wanted what was best for the country; they just disagreed on what that was. When you’re starting from that position, you can get along just fine in every context aside from actually passing legislation and implementing policies, and once you retire from the Presidency, you’re never doing that any more. Heck, even when you are doing political things, there are a lot of cases where the parties will agree on what’s best for the country, and so you can get along there, too (though of course that’s not as publicized). It only seems odd to us now because we’ve entered an era where one of the parties has decided that destroying the other is more important than helping the country we all share. But it wasn’t always that way, and it doesn’t have to be that way. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/11 "2017-01-21T17:00:40Z")
I’m trying, but failing, to imagine a close relationship between one of the former presidents or first ladies and the Trumps four years from now. But who knows? I would not have expected the Obamas to be friendly with GWB. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/12 "2017-01-21T17:16:54Z")
Obama has said in the past that he was very grateful for the assistance he got from GWB during the transition period. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/13 "2017-01-21T17:17:31Z")
I would, considering how affectionate they were, clothed exactly the same as if their mummies had dressed them for first day at prep school, at Obama’s initial inauguration. _“Pals, partner, pals until Hell freezes over !”_ Also the first indication I had that Obama would **not** be a transformative president. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/14 "2017-01-21T17:24:59Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’m trying, but failing, to imagine a close relationship between one of the former presidents or first ladies and the Trumps four years from now. But who knows? I would not have expected the Obamas to be friendly with GWB. The Trump’s were friends of the Clinton’s. There’s photos of them golfing and in social settings. The election damaged that relationship. Maybe with time some of the bruised feelings will heal. Trump was gracious towards them at the inaugaration. [https://www.google.com/amp/amp.timeinc.net/time/4641545/donald-trump-inauguration-hillary-clinton/%3Fsource%3Ddam?client=ms-android-motorola](https://www.google.com/amp/amp.timeinc.net/time/4641545/donald-trump-inauguration-hillary-clinton/%3Fsource%3Ddam?client=ms-android-motorola) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/15 "2017-01-21T17:36:57Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Another factor is that you don’t get elected President unless you’re a likable person on a individual level. Where have you been hiding for the last 12 months? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/16 "2017-01-21T18:00:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The Trump’s were friends of the Clinton’s. This post reported for apostrophe abuse. _Won’t someone think of the apostrophe’s?_ _The apostrophe’s what??_. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/17 "2017-01-21T18:34:33Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Where have you been hiding for the last 12 months? Most people who have worked with Trump in real life report he is polite and[charming in real life](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/5d8zop/serious_people_who_have_met_or_dealt_with_donald/) and this includes people [who oppose him](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/5d8zop/serious_people_who_have_met_or_dealt_with_donald/). ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/18 "2017-01-21T23:48:21Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Another factor is that you don’t get elected President unless you’re a likable person on a individual level. I’ve heard conservatives say how surprised they are to find that Bill Clinton is a charming person when they met him and liberals say the same thing about George W Bush. It’s not surprising that two personable individuals with a common background would become friends. They’ve both put politics behind them. I can’t imagine Richard Nixon being very likable. And the less said about the current office holder\* the better. - as at 22nd January 2017. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/19 "2017-01-22T00:24:34Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > This post reported for apostrophe abuse. > > _Won’t someone think of the apostrophe’s?_ > > _The apostrophe’s what??_. > > 😛 Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720/20 "2017-01-22T14:02:53Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Watching them at the inauguration it was clear that there is genuine warmth and friendship between them and I’ve seen countless stories in the media confirming this. But George W is one of the most hated of Republicans by Democrats, second only to Donald himself. There’s a lot of things I’ve heard people say about George W - but hating or even disliking him _as a person_ isn’t one of them. People though he was dumb, or that he appointed unqualified people , or that he was more or less a puppet while others were in effect making the decisions but that’s not same as hate. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-clintons-and-bushes-so-close/777720.md?page=2)