President Obama heaped praise on President Bill Clinton at the White House Wednesday — after reports of lingering friction between the two men.
“Lifting up families like his own became the story of Bill Clinton’s life,” Obama said, lauding Clinton before eventually placing a Medal of Freedom around his neck. “He made life better and easier for so many people across the country.”
“Thank you so much, President Clinton,” Obama gushed – expressing appreciation for advice Clinton gave him “on and off the golf course” and for putting up with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s travel schedule.
The homage to Bubba and his record in office came just weeks after a new book, “Double Down,” described a 2011 golf game between the two men, where Obama reportedly told an aide, in reference to Clinton: “I like him … in doses.”
Clinton, according to the same book, referred to Obama as “luckier than a dog with two d—-” during his reelection campaign.
Clinton recently spoke out against a key element of ObamaCare – people getting forced off old insurance plans – and even said Congress should change the law if necessary to fix it.
Obama came out days later with his own plan to try to head off a congressional fix. Despite reports of tension going back years, Clinton also tried to help Obama better sell ObamaCare, and was a forceful advocate for his reelection.
Clinton was joined by talk diva Oprah Winfrey, Chicago Cubs great Ernie Banks, country singer, Loretta Lynn, and other notables in receiving the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Clinton smiled broadly at the event, and chatted with fellow honoree, former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, and others.
Clinton and his wife – a leading Democratic contender to succeed Obama — got to accompany the the president and First Lady Michelle Obama to Arlington National Cemetery to visit the John F. Kennedy grave site – another goodwill gesture that allowed them to bask in the glow of Camelot on the approaching 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination.
The White House East Room was packed with guests and media for the medal event, where Obama saluted Winfrey. “Her message was always, ‘You can,’” Obama said. He noted that when she was first starting out in television, Winfrey’s bosses “told her to change her name to Suzie.” Obama quipped that earlier in life: “I got the same advice.”