Bush Unveils His Presidential Portrait: "Welcome To My Hanging"

[CatWoman]

Earlier in the day, Bush got a look at how history will remember him _ at least in one artist's view _ as he presided over the unveiling of his portrait at a private club.

"Welcome to my hanging," Bush said, drawing laughs from the well-dressed audience in The Union League's ornate hall.

The portrait shows Bush staring straight ahead, looking comfortable but not quite smiling, against the backdrop of the White House's Treaty Room. The sitting took place in March, when artist Mark Carder took hundreds of photographs to capture details, such as Bush's skin color.

The president put his hands on his hips and eyed the painting when it was unveiled, as if to judge whether Carder got it right. "He did a really fine job with a challenging subject," Bush said.

The club was founded in 1862 to support the policies of Abraham Lincoln. Bush received its gold medal for service to the country and thanked members for honoring Lincoln's life and work.

"I have drawn strength from his example," Bush said.

The portrait was commissioned by the Abraham Lincoln Foundation and paid for with a grant from The Thornton D. and Elizabeth Hooper Foundation, the White House said. Carder has done portraits of such other prominent figures as the president's parents, George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush.

The president said his 83-year-old mother was recovering well from surgery in Houston for a perforated ulcer. "I hope they don't put this on TV, but she's a tough old bird," he said. Barbara Bush was released from the hospital Tuesday.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/06/bush-unveils-his-presiden_n_148990.html

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. They gave him a gold medal?

:wtf:

And he said that Lincoln gave him strength?

I am aghast.

The sooner he disappears, preferably into a dark prison, the better!

:nuke: :nuke:

[AllentownJake]

21. It's the Union League

I was at a conference there a few months ago. They have a room with Presidential Portraits...only Republicans.

Fuck Hoover and Nixon have portraits there.

FDR doesn't....what does that tell you

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. Well...FDR was a Democrat...

Doesn't surprise me a whole lot...


At least this picture isn't going in the White House...

[BrklynLiberal]

2. I would have thought it would have looked a lot more like this..

Portrait of Dorian Grey..

[Joe Bacon]

23. This is where Bush's painting should go. Forever!!!!

[H2O Man]

3. I can't wait

until the day he leaves office.

[grantcart]

11. In my work I visit alot of Federal buildings

Pass the big picture of the agency head and the clown.


Can't wait to start going by the new pictures.


Right now hundreds of thousands of pictures are being readied for their new home.


It's pretty fucking amazing and I think that the founding fathers would be astounded. (Of course the shock of colored photography and electricity would probably give them heart attacks anyway!)

[davidpdx]

14. Grant, do me a favor please

After Obama is sworn in and they get his picture up in the federal building, see if you get a picture of it please?

I don't know whether or not they will allow you to take pictures in federal buildings, but you probably should ask one of the guards.

[liberalmuse]

4. Gad. That thing isn't going to hang in the WH, is it?

It's hideous.

[AllentownJake]

22. Union League

Club of white guys in Philadelphia...I believe they allowed African Americans with money to join 15 years ago and Women 8 years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_League

125 years ago they did good work...now its a country club without the golf.

[FarLeftRage]

5. Is this it?

:hide:

[Faygo Kid]

6. "Welcome to my hanging." Has a nice and justified ring to it.

Merry Christmas, Catwoman!

http://www.pdcomedy.com/ClassicTV/BeverlyHillbillies/BeverlyHillbilliesXmas.htm

[CatWoman]

8. aw

so sweet :)

:hi:

:loveya:

[bridgit]

7. Dude caught the knuckle dragging arms just right!!

:thumbsup:

[arewenotdemo]

18. Dude did! Palms backassward! Excellent!

[bridgit]

20. Word, ya'feel it? Showed it to hubby says could have in here somewhere too...

Like a Where's Waldo kind of thing :):(

[KittyWampus]

9. Lincoln is so disgusted with Junior, he's looking away...

[lunatica]

10. Inspired by Bush's refined manner and heroic actions no doubt

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rasputin1952]

13. Where the hell are the bars? That is not an accurate portrait!

[Historic NY]

15. I'm sure some far away dusty corner can be the repository for this.

[sohndrsmith]

16. Good grief, what a moran this guy is... the painting is not being "hung"

it's on an easel and being unveiled... so his joke makes as much sense as his actions as President. Zee-row...

ugh.

Bet he snickered and did his little lemon-pucker-hunched-shoulder move.... ugh again...

what a waste of paint. I guarantee (or at least hope) the artist hid something sardonic in the painting, even if it's completely covered over - the artist knows it's there...

[angee_is_mad]

17. STUPID

just plain stupid.

[Bullet1987]

19. He probably feels like he's going to the gallows...lol

[Paladin]

24. Unrealistic Portrait.

The subject doesn't have his head crammed up his ass......