Why doesn't "W's" father ever show support of his son?

Question

George Bush Sr. NEVER shows up anywhere in support of his son. Do you think he is ashamed of him?

For those of you who are insulted by this question...think about it.
To my knowledge this is the first time a father and son have both been president of the United States.
You would think a former president, especially the father of the current president would visably support his son.
Personally if he was my son I would disown him.

Answer 1

embarrassed

Answer 2

bush Sr. has shown support. it was reported in Newsweek some time ago that not only did he attempt to lend advice but that his former aides were willing to help his son also.

this support was regarding the crisis in the middle east, where bush seems to have made grave missteps. and likely will go down in history as the 2nd president to involve the United States in an un-winnable war(the first being Vietnam).

at the time bush flatly refused bush Sr. attempt at support and choose to go on doing things his way quite possibly a huge mistake.

Nixon unfairly was blamed for Vietnam (he did not start the war) but bush, knew what he was getting into and has helped make a bad situation even worse by making the middle east even more unstable with our ubiquitous presence both politically and militarily. bush will probably get stamped with the "it was his fault" label by democrats when it is all said and done with.

i am certain that bush Sr wants the best for his son. i am not a bush supporter but if he were my son i would find it hard to be ashamed of my offspring being the most powerful man in the world. i am sure that bush has the full love and support of his father.

Answer 3

H.W. Bush has never been a very ideological president. Therefore, it would be natural for him not to show suppport for W. Bush, when he never showed support for any tough ideological issues while he was president. I think it also has a lot to do with the fact that he was a past president. If he were to support his son, many Americans might feel like current Pres. Bush constantly needs the support and approval of his father in order to make any decisions. Maybe H.W. Bush decides to be objective in the decisions of his son and let him make his own decisions and mistakes.

Answer 4

Try and put your bias away for a second and think about this rationally. It's the same with Hillary and Bill. They are keeping Bill out of the picture because they are trying to sell Hillary as a new product, not as Bill in a skirt.

If Snr was to come out and be all over Jnr's presidency, well it would overshadow Jnr's go at being boss. Plus it would damage Jnr's image. You would see him as someones little boy, rather than strong powerful national leader. It's most probably why he is referred to as George W. Bush, as opposed to George Bush Jnr (as he was during the election, when it was beneficial to be associated with his father's presidency)... if he left the Jnr on the end we would always be reminded he's his Daddy's little boy.

Just because my father isn't all over what I do, doesn't mean I don't have his support. There has never been any suggestion that Snr isn't fully supportive of Jnr's actions.... and even if he wasn't supportive.. he wouldn't come out and say so.

Answer 5

George H.W. was not a very good president.Most do not know of the war profiteering history of the Bush and Walker(as in W.)families.If H.W. showed too much public support,his involvement with The Carlyle Group(parent company of Haliburton) would be much more out in the open.But all of you- left wing or right,have apparently failed History.Don't we remember John Adams and John Quincy Adams?

Answer 6

I've heard they don't really get along that well. It's understandable: a lot of men don't get along with their dads. I'm sure being in politics put some strain on the relationship. Also, Bush Sr. is retired. He doesn't want to go about being politically active all the time because he's probably just looking to live a peaceful life. Also, I know that Bush is a Born-Again Christian. One of my Uncles became a Born-Again and it put a lot of strain on the family after he started trying to convert his parents and siblings. It may not have been this way with the Bush's, but who knows. I know that Bush Sr. has made appearances with his son and spent time with him during elections though. I guess he's behind him when it counts.

Answer 7

So what are you exactly looking for here? A postcard from Sr. Bush saying, "Hey, I support my son!"

I mean, ok, I'm in my almost late forties, and my dad doesn't make a public display of his support for me... but I know he does "support" or approve of me...

Bush, Jr. is a grown up... and his dad has a life.... That's the way it is when people grow up, y'know? We get our own lives... and our parents love us and support us, even if CNN isn't there to record that fact for the rest of the world to see...

Answer 8

You know, I'm a lowly little attorney. Been in private practice for less than five years. My dad has yet to show up.

So your dad goes to work with you? Or maybe gets a blow-horn and parades outside your house?

I don't know which is sadder, this question or the people supporting it.

Let's just annihilate the man, shall we? Maybe that will improve the pitiful self-images of some around here.

Answer 9

I have seen signs of support, but in a level that I think is appropriate; not anything overboard. What would you like, for him to go campaigning with him? He's an adult and can represent himself without needing endorsements from his family.

Answer 10

What would he have to do to "show" support for him?

As far as those saying its inappropriate for an ex-President to comment on a current President. Who says it is? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether they were President or not.

Answer 11

If he defended his son you would shhit on him. If he ignored his son you would shhit on him.
Did it ever occur to you that he didn't think it was his roll as former president to criticize the current president.
Just a thought, when you were running your lemonade stand with your friends, just because your daddy ended up running the stand because yours was a failure, that should not be projected toward your country to alleviate some misguided guilt trip.