Clintons & Carters attending inauguration

[Equinox Moon]

Wow, that was a surprise to hear. (evening news)

[MFM008]

1. I would say

I was planning on violently sick that day...like 65 million of us will be....

[Shrek]

2. It's a fairly common tradition

Former presidents attend to visibly endorse the peaceful transfer of power.

[AngryAmish]

4. We need to protest the peaceful transfer of power.

[Little Star]

6. Yep! This is a bridge to far.

[2naSalit]

3. No surprise

Last edited Thu Jan 5, 2017, 01:06 AM - Edit history (1)

it's called being classy in the face of the classless.

[HoneyBadger]

5. Maybe they will change their minds if enough people call their offices

Isn't that how many of the inauguration performers changed their minds?

[chillfactor]

7. they have more moxy then I do....

I plan on watching some good movies that day...much better entertainment than t'rump.

[Equinox Moon]

9. Please, can I empower you to take to the streets?

It is a day of protest all across this country in many cities.

It is time to take action and stop "action apathy".

[LenaBaby61]

18. They have more moxy then I do....

Me too.

No way I'd sit there at that racist, putin-loving, traitor's inauguration KNOWING that he'll be destroying the country.

[Va Lefty]

8. Very disappointing

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

10. Especially the Clinton's... WTF!

[msongs]

11. so she is willing to come out of hiding to support trump's inauguration but not claim her 3mil

vote win?

[Cha]

13. She's not "in hiding" that's what rw are saying and it's not true if

you're paying attention.

[pnwmom]

16. She's not been in hiding and she's not supporting DT.

She is an American and she's supporting the country.

And I bet he will be a green-eyed monster watching her get positive media attention.

[LenaBaby61]

17. And I bet he will be a green-eyed monster watching her get positive media attention.

Wait, Hillary's going to get positive media attention from a mostly pro-tRumputin, pro-ads dollars chasing, corporate media for attending Cheeto Benito's bogus inauguration?

[pnwmom]

19. I'm sure there will be reminders of how she won the popular vote by almost 3 million,

and that drives him crazy.

They will also be talking about the Women's March to occur the next day. He won't love that, either.

[NWCorona]

12. Once Carter sent in his rsvp I knew others would follow suit

It's bigger than Trump

[Cha]

14. No reason Hillary shouldn't hold her head high.

[forgotmylogin]

15. Perhaps they'll sneak in some vuvuzelas.

[karynnj]

20. This is standard "respect the system" and give legitimacy to our democracy

In fact, other than Romney and Dole, every election loser since GHWB lost has had a position where the norm was that they would have had to sit publicly, in the stands, as the victor was sworn in. Al Gore, in addition, in the role of VP, had to officiate over the count where Bush was given Florida, which Gore, it turns out actually, provably (though a full audit of the whole state done by newspapers was not completed until 9/11/01) did win. Then I remember that he sat with Clinton as Bush took the oath of office.

With GHWB, I remember the tv coverage of the Clintons going to the White House and having the typical formal meeting of the incoming family and the outgoing one -- in this case, the man who lost the election. I know that GHWB was at the ceremony when Clinton was sworn in, but I actually do not remember anything about that.

I remember Kerry, classy and dignified as always, sitting with fellow Senators on what should have been his day. One positive was watching as the press panned to Kerry often before the ceremony - that many of his peers hugged or put their arms around his shoulder. It was tough to watch. I remember John McCain less, but I do remember him sitting with that same group of peers -- and they also understood how hard that had to be for him.

Like everyone of these men who lost, who honored the tradition of US elections and inaugurations, I am sure that HRC will be a gracious dignified presence publicly ... and we all know that she, like those men, will be intensely sad.

One other note, though 2009 was a Democratic triumph, this really is the SECOND time that HRC had to sit at an inauguration that she had hoped, prayed and worked to make hers.