Democratic strategist Joe McLean on Monday said George H.W. Bush will be remembered as one of greatest presidents of the 20th century, despite only serving one term.
“I believe that George H.W. Bush will be remembered as one of the best president’s of the 20th century,” McLean told Hill.TV’s Jamal Simmons and Buck Sexton during a panel discussion on “Rising.”
He cited a number of Bush’s accomplishments as president, including his handling of international relations.
During his four years in office, Bush has been credited for helping to bring the Cold War to end, and forging a global coalition to kick Iraq forces out of Kuwait.
McLean, who is best known for helping lead former President Obama’s Illinois Senate bid before he became president, also praised Bush’s unassuming political prowess.
“We’ve talked a lot about what a great president he was, how he did the right thing when it cost him personally, but we forget what a great political force this man was because he wasn’t especially persuasive in speech, he stuttered a little bit sometimes, and he wasn’t great on the stump,” McLean said.
The 41st president passed away on Friday at the age of 94, eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush.
The former president will lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., starting Monday evening, and will remain there until his funeral on Wednesday. CNN reported that George W. Bush will eulogize his late father, along with former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney among others.
Despite previously feuding with the Bush family, President Trump praised Bush following his death, saying he plans to attend the former president’s funeral to pay his respects.
“Looking forward to being with the Bush Family to pay my respects to President George H.W. Bush,” Trump tweeted on Monday.
The White House declared Wednesday as the national day of mourning. The federal government and stock markets will close in honor of the former president.
— Tess Bonn
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