George W. Bush Reportedly Feels Ignored In Obama 'Victory Lap' Following Osama Bin Laden's Death

A source tells the New York Daily News that former president George W. Bush feels that his successor has failed to sufficiently recognize the role he played in the manhunt for Osama bin Laden that ensued following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Earlier this week it was reported that Bush declined an invitation from President Barack Obama to join him at a ceremony being held at Ground Zero in New York City on Thursday. According to the AP, Bush spokesman David Sherzer said the former president appreciated the offer, but has decided against remaining in the public spotlight in his post-White House life.

Suggesting Bush sees the president's actions in the days following bin Laden's death as an "Obama victory lap," the source who spoke with the Daily News said, "He doesn't feel personally snubbed and appreciates the invitation, but Obama's claiming all the credit and a lot of other people deserve some of it."

The source added, "Obama gave no credit whatsoever to the intelligence infrastructure the Bush administration set up that is being hailed from the left and right as setting in motion the operation that got Bin Laden. It rubbed Bush the wrong way."

White House spokesman Jay Carney said prior to Obama's trip to New York City on Thursday that the president intended to have a measured tone during his visit and that it would serve as a "cathartic moment for the American people."

The AP reports:

Obama will visit a bustling construction site that bears little resemblance to the pit that became ground zero in the months after Sept. 11, 2001. The emerging skyscraper informally known as Freedom Tower is more than 60 stories high now. Mammoth fountains and reflecting pools mark the footprints of the fallen twin towers.
...
Heightened security put in place in response to the killing of bin Laden will remain for Obama's visit. Police officials said there are no specific threats against the city but also say they assume bin Laden's "disciples" might try to avenge his death with a terror attack.

"The ceremony will provide some closure to a horrific event," said Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Firefighters, who was invited by the White House to attend Obama's ground zero event.

Through his spokesman, Bush has said he embraces the death of bin Laden as an "important victory in the war on terror."

Comments

[jackiekahane]

08:20 PM on 05/21/2011

CONGRATS TO OBAMA!

Anyone who believes the AP or its alleged (ONE) unnamed source isn't playing with a full deck.

[swisstrinity]

04:24 PM on 05/09/2011

Boo hoo

[jezebelial]

02:53 PM on 05/09/2011

George who?

[Sailright]

09:11 AM on 05/09/2011

Wow! There's a lot of hate in the comments here toward W. Look at a site on the other side about Obama and what do you see? A lot of hate toward Obama. A country full of hatred toward each other is doomed and it won't take a terrorist to destroy it.

I say it's time to respect different views without hatred. Sooner or later one side will take this position and the one that does will benefit greatly.

-Sailright

[zetaetatheta]

04:01 PM on 05/09/2011

Could be this is what the parties want...uniformed and sheepish. Divided they fall.

[cptfunkadunk]

08:25 AM on 05/09/2011

Considering the comments he made on video a few years ago that he DIDN'T CARE WHERE OSAMA BIN LADEN WAS, HE CAN KISS MY ENTIRE ASS!!!

[jefe]

07:27 PM on 05/08/2011

And why should we care what W thinks?

[Jay Greenburg]

06:25 PM on 05/08/2011

If Bush had gotten OBL, the stone carvers would be on Mt. Rushmore the next day.

[indigotrustee]

06:05 PM on 05/08/2011

Bush can talk the talk but can't walk the walk.

[tulsey]

02:48 PM on 05/08/2011

W couldn't make the event as he's misplaced the codpiece for his flightsuit.

[Wbischo]

01:09 PM on 05/08/2011

We all know that the year Bush stopped the OFFICIAL search for Bin Laden was 2005, the year that Bin Laden decided he could build the compound he was found in by Obama. Someone needs to ask Bush for a list of the ways he helped in the mission which Obama ordered and which succeeded in getting Osama Bin Laden. It would be the shortest list ever made. He can't be ignorant enough to believe that his unnecessary war mongering, and his torture tactics helped anything. All the false leads his torture methods pulled from prisoners probably greatly aided Osama and added to the hatred and determination which our enemies had, to inflict harm to this country.

[CHerzig]

01:06 PM on 05/08/2011

So Bush decides at some point it isn't important to get bin Laden, focuses his attention elsewhere at the taxpayer's expense, turns down an invitation to join President Obama Ground Zero, and now feels he hasn't been acknowledged. Oh boo hoo!

[Joel Merritz]

12:49 PM on 05/08/2011

Did i miss something? I was under the impression that Obama had been president for two years and he did something Bush didn't. Bush had Osama in the crosshairs and he didn't act, Obama did.
Sorry George but you can't take credit for this so go sit down and Barb will bring you some milk and cookies and you can watch cartoons until you feel better.

[noTinreason]

12:37 PM on 05/08/2011

I give Bush full 'credit' for 9/11: without him it never would have happened.

[demsrsilly]

07:21 AM on 05/09/2011

Trurthers are just plain hilarious.

[alwayswrong]

12:30 PM on 05/08/2011

Would it be PC to give the other party any credit, or do we just blame them for our problems? I wonder if politicans shared the credit & blame, could they then get something done? Bush deserves just as much credit as Obama!

[thoof]

04:48 PM on 05/08/2011

What a hugely appropriate username you have . . .

[restarea]

05:05 PM on 05/08/2011

I like your user name.

[John Zorabedian]

12:27 PM on 05/08/2011

*sheds tear*