HuffPost's Howard Fineman Discusses Obama's Upcoming Visit To Ground Zero On MSNBC's 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell' (VIDEO)

HuffPost's Howard Fineman appeared Wednesday night on MSNBC's 'The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell' to discuss President Obama's upcoming visit to Ground Zero, as well as the fact that former President George W. Bush declined Obama's invitation to visit the site.

Fineman explained of Bush, "he's largely stayed out of the political spotlight. I have to say, having covered his entire presidency, that this is a guy who at best had a very mixed attitude toward politics and toward the limelight. So, you have to give him some credit or at least some understanding for that." He went on to say that Republicans and Democrats have different views about why Bush declined the invitation.

Summing up his own opinion of the matter, Fineman said, "I think, knowing him, he wanted to just stay away so as not to bring more controversy to himself. He'd had enough of it during his tenure."

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Comments

[SaintZak]

01:13 PM on 05/05/2011

The invitation was appropriate and the decline was also appropriate. That's it.

[Snerdgronk]

12:38 PM on 05/05/2011

WHAT'S a Moderate MUSLIM?:

I thought mosque was 2 blocks way from Ground Zero. Is a New York block as short as a New York minute? What is the 'respectful distance'? 3 blocks? 4.3333 blocks?

Secondly, many have, and continue to challenge moderate Muslims to take a stand against the radicals. This is a fair point.

However, when moderates want to do so, when moderate Muslims want to take a position counter to al Qaeda's actions, want to acknowledge 9/11 and make a gesture of peace towards it, what happens?

They get a radical, all Muslims are terrorist-tainted response. As a consequence, it is determined no Muslim (since they are all 'associated' with the radicals) should be anywhere near (distance yet to be determined) Ground Zero.

So what's a moderate Muslim, if all Muslims are seen as tainted by a radical few ... ? How far away from 'us' and how unseen do they have to be, for them to be moderate ... ?

Snerd

[Omentum]

11:29 AM on 05/05/2011

Off topic I know. Do Republicans still celebrate cinco de mayo?

[jrfromdallas]

10:49 AM on 05/05/2011

This is nothing more than political posturing. I wonder if Obama will go next door and check out the status of the " victory mosque" they're building.

[rcampbell]

11:44 AM on 05/05/2011

You're right, it IS political posturing and very well done. Hopefully, Obama will exploit this all the way to and through a second term just as Bush exploited 9/11, OBL and the entire terrorism industry he spawned. The only thing about Obama being the one who got bin Laden that nags conservatives is that they won't be the ones exploiting it. I'm lovin' watching the GOP's twisted panties.

[jrfromdallas]

11:55 AM on 05/05/2011

Bush didn't exploit 9/11 he brought the country together and protected us after that. Maybe you didn't notice since you take your security for granted. A simple thank you would work just fine. Obama has been " LUCKY" that none of the plots against this country were successful (Christmas Bomber/Time Square Bomber/Dallas Bomber).

[VOTER]

11:51 AM on 05/05/2011

Your comments are offensive to the family members of 911 victims. They 
are very appreciative of meeting in private with President Obama. 

Regarding your other ignorant comment -
President Obama supports the building of a Muslim place of worship and Community Center,
but has, also, said the matter is a local one and will follow the rules and ordinances of NYC.
Mayor Bloomberg supports the Mosque and Community Center. 

[rastadaddio]

09:55 AM on 05/05/2011

no sense in reminding voters that you spent eight years, started two wars, and wasted 3 or 4 trillion dollars and 'mission' accomplished nothing.

[tulane-grad]

09:17 AM on 05/05/2011

I'm starting to feel like a centrist. It doesn't bother me that Obama is going. And it doesn't bother me that Bush isn't.

[jlab]

11:41 AM on 05/05/2011

Just as long as you are aware how far to the right the center has moved in recent years ...

[Gudrun]

12:28 PM on 05/05/2011

Same here. Some people need to find some actual problems to work on, seems to me.

[firewmn]

09:17 AM on 05/05/2011

"Summing up his own opinion of the matter, Fineman said, "I think, knowing him, he wanted to just stay away so as not to bring more controversy to himself."

Bush ~ Thinking only of himself AGAIN..!!!!

it was convienent for Bush to use 9// as a backdrop to riches while breaking the treasury of this country but NOT worthy of BUsh to show some respect to any lives changed by his decision to envade countries.

Bush is a ...COWARD in book..........

[p456]

12:06 PM on 05/05/2011

Faved Faved Faved.

[Okieborn]

08:12 AM on 05/05/2011

I like Howard Fineman but I think he gave Bush way to much credit.

[jrfromdallas]

10:52 AM on 05/05/2011

No he didn't. He is giving credit where it is due.

[SubgeniusMustHaveSlack]

11:08 AM on 05/05/2011

bush does not want to stir up the unfortunate details of his failed presidency.

[jlab]

11:43 AM on 05/05/2011

Must I remind you of your own post further up? You wrote the following awful comment:

This is nothing more than political posturing. I wonder if Obama will go next door and check out the status of the " victory mosque" they're building.

Credit were credit is due: You managed to embarrass Dallas.

[kevinbr38]

07:51 AM on 05/05/2011

The President was gracious enough to extend the invitation to his predicessor. He certainly didn't have to, and probably didn't really want him there in the first place. It speaks volumes to the character of this president. For whatever reason, Bush declined the invitation. Why can't we just let it go. His presance would be a hugh distraction, and let's be honest, who wants to see him anyway?

[Okieborn]

08:06 AM on 05/05/2011

I agree 100% !!

[jasongrundy]

08:36 AM on 05/05/2011

You spoke my words.

[white mende man]

07:30 AM on 05/05/2011

So much hate for a black man well done America, especially the man that eliminated the te rro rist that attacked and k illed 3000 of your fellow countrymen, the man that was elected President of the United States by the majority of your fellow Americans, the hate will surly make you a better person.

[ambrecel]

07:22 AM on 05/05/2011

President's are human, sometimes even I forget that, I appreciate what Fineman says, thank you.

[snakecharmer1340]

03:55 AM on 05/05/2011

The killing of Bin Laden closes a chapter in the war. GOP said the President was going to use the Arizona shooting to make himself look good but it was a good moment for the state and the country. Let's see what he does first before people jump all over him.

[AG creative]

03:40 AM on 05/05/2011

On another note: Jay is running it at the podium. He's a lot snarkier than Gibbs. He's a good man - and thorough.

[Carolab]

02:55 AM on 05/05/2011

Bush wants the world to remember his bullhorn moment.  He doesn't want to have to share GZ with Obama.

[sunshine14]

08:01 AM on 05/05/2011

Or have others remember maybe 911 happen on his watch or why with all that High Intelligence given directly to him,  for months, last week before sadly 911, questions asking more why why?

[E Equals MC Hammer]

02:22 AM on 05/05/2011

Let's be real, this is a gratuitous photo op for the President. And that would be the case whether it was Bush or Obama.

[AG creative]

03:40 AM on 05/05/2011

At least he's not sprinkling Bin Laden's ashes at GZ.

[shocktreatment]

11:56 AM on 05/05/2011

Or arranging a carrier landing, under a banner that would have embarrassed, no, mortified, anybody with a single degree of sense, while a mere jet-ski's ride off the coast

[SubgeniusMustHaveSlack]

11:10 AM on 05/05/2011

Hardly gratuitous. This is a Real Leader seeking closure for the national psyche.

God Bless The President.

[VOTER]

11:57 AM on 05/05/2011

X2