Bushes Really Love Bill Clinton

(NEWSER) - All four living former presidents will attend Ted Kennedy’s invitation-only funeral, the Boston Herald reports. President Obama will also be there, breaking off his Martha’s Vineyard vacation to deliver a eulogy. Gordon Brown also plans to attend, as will Irish PM Brian Cowen. “Sen. Kennedy is being honored as though he were a former sitting president,” observed one political scientist. More»

Popularity is fleeting in today's climate; he's got tons of time

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama’s approval rating is dropping, but that’s “dog bites man” stuff, writes Paul Maslin of Salon. Every president sees his approval rating drop. Obama’s drop has been markedly precipitous—from 69% to 54%—but here’s why he needn’t worry:

• Since the dawn of mass media, approval ratings have steadily declined, from an average 71% for Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson to 56% for Clinton and the two Bushes. “The numbers of old are simply unattainable.”

Leaders traditionally release limited number of pictures

(NEWSER) - When the five current, former, and future occupants of the Oval Office mugged together at the White House last week, one could almost hear the cash registers cha-chinging, reports Politico. All five will sign a limited 250 copies of the photo—with each keeping 50—instantly jacking the value to an estimated $6000 per photo. Works out to a cool $300000 for any chief exec looking for a little pocket money. More»

Bush wishes Obama success in the future

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama met with a pair of George Bushes, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter today for a photo-op and lunch at the White House, the Chicago Tribune reports. "I want to thank the president-elect for joining the ex-presidents for lunch,'' Bush said, looking to Obama. "And one message that I think we all share is that we want you to succeed.” More»

Poppy Bush wants Jeb to head to Senate, Oval Office eventually

(NEWSER) - Even as one son packs his bags to leave the White House, former President Bush is waxing poetic about seeing another move in one day. And since "right now is probably a bad time" with Americans Bushed out, HW suggests Jeb Bush would make "an outstanding senator." Poppy Bush also defended the former Florida guv, telling Fox News that the media—particularly the New York Times—have been "grossly unfair" to the reigning president. More»