But this just in via The Talent Show...a stroll down memory lane. Keep this in mind as your airwaves are choked with Republicans extolling Bush's masterful performance on 9/11/2001, after he stopped thinking "MMmmmmm.....donuts!" at the Emma Booker School.
Over now familiar refrains of "that's unreal," and "I can't believe it," and pregnant moans of "wow," a spectacle of a different kind captured unblinking New Yorkers yesterday afternoon. Out of Manhattan's Union Square came a welcome and commanding sight: former President Bill Clinton, surrounded by a growing mass of people.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Clinton walked south on University Place, starting at 14th Street. He immediately drew a crowd, most of whom just happened to be walking by. Others emerged from stores and apartments. Many snapped pictures or waved flags in a spontaneous moment of patriotism and giddiness over a celebrity. For his part, Clinton restrained himself from returning smiles, greeting people instead with earnest expressions of concern.
"We need to just bolster people's spirits right now, and support the president and the government," he said between handshakes. "They're going to need some time with this."
Clinton, who was in Australia when New York and Washington, D.C., were attacked, said he had spent the previous 24 hours flying to New York on an Air Force plane. He was kept informed of developments by his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). Except for a phone conversation with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, he said he has not spoken to anyone at the White House.
Clinton, was accompanied during his walk by his daughter, Chelsea, who stood with a female friend about her age well apart from the center of the crowd.
"We just wanted to support the people affected the most, New Yorkers," said Chelsea Clinton, who said that like most people she had spent the past few days watching television, incredulous.
New Yorkers sought his solace as one after another approached him, some in tears, showing him copies of photos of loved ones or friends who are among the missing. In the Clinton style, he responded with hugs for some, and reassurances, telling one woman who weeped on his shoulder, "They're still finding people. Don't give up hope."
For the 300 to 400 people who saw Clinton, his appearance was energizing.
"It was a nice lift," said Rhon Reynolds, 30, who lives in Manhattan. "I really needed it today. It's been like a war zone here. Everyone's wearing masks. I managed to cry just yesterday. Just to see him here really helped. He represents an era for us, the best era, a great financial time and a time when we seemed to have good relations with foreign governments."
Now THAT was a president.
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