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The occasion was the unveiling of the official portraits of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton at the White House. President Bush was gracious when he said:
"Over eight years, it was clear that Bill Clinton loved the job of the presidency. He filled this house with energy and joy. He's a man of enthusiasm and warmth, who could make a compelling case and effectively advance the causes that drew him to public service."
And this:
"Bill Clinton could always see a better day ahead, and Americans knew he was working hard to bring that day closer."
Bill Clinton said that this little ceremony
"proved once again that, in the end, we are held together by this grand system of ours - and most of the time we get it right."
Yes, it is OK to disagree. Yes, it is OK to discuss our differences. Yes, we expect each side to present its case in the best possible light. But it's not OK to attack a candidate's integrity. It's not OK to throw personal insults at those you disagree with. It's not OK to distort the facts to make your case.
We want to show the world that America is united against Al Qaeda and other autocratic groups. Though we may disagree on specific courses of action, we work together to advance freedom and democracy in both the U.S. and in the world. We are highly competitive, but when it counts we become cooperative spirits.
I hope some of the spirit displayed by Presidents Bush and Clinton during the portrait unveiling seeps into other affairs, especially into the presidential campaign. Even a little more civility would be greeted warmly by the American citizenry.
Viva Bush and Clinton!
