A visit from former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush
Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush signed their books and met hundreds of fans, many of whom started lining up hours ahead of time in the early morning drizzle, today at the Buckhead Borders.
Here is a gallery of photos from the event.
Despite the weather the event started on time and went very smoothly. Security was very tight, and guests went through a metal detector and had their bags searched. (A K-9 detective sniffed over the press early on to make sure we were all OK).
Former President Bush signed his book, “Decision Points,” while Mrs. Bush signed “Spoken From the Heart.” Both chatted amiably with the people who had stood in line yesterday to purchase the books and again this morning to have them signed.
“Good morning! Happy holidays! Good to see you!” Mrs. Bush said as guests filed by to have their books signed.
One woman got choked up at the sight of the former president.
“Aw, come on,” President Bush said. “If you cry, I’ll cry.”
Lisa Craft spent some quality time with the former first couple this morning.
Lisa Craft, an HR consultant from Atlanta, declared as she approached the former first couple, “I’m going to kiss him!”
We found this inadvisable, given all the heat packing the room. But she did!
“Do you see? I kissed them both!” Craft said afterward. “He said, ‘you’re a sweet girl.’”
She didn’t get much face time with the former commander in chief, though.
“There’s so much I wanted to say. I wanted to tell him what a wonderful example he set as a God-fearing man who put the country first,” Craft said. Then inspiration struck. “Do you think they’d let me take a picture with him? I bet you if I asked the president he would say, sure.”
We said that also sounded inadvisable.
“Let’s just try. I tend to get away with a lot,” the crafty Craft said. But we persuaded her to take a photo with a stack of books instead.
Georgia State University marketing instructor Linda Willis said she didn’t mind the frosty wait today and yesterday. Only people who braved yesterday’s cold to buy the books in advance and receive a wristband got in today.
“They shook our hands and spoke. It was a pleasure to meet them,” said Willis, who unlike Craft kept her hands off the former prez and his wife. “Being able to see a president and first lady in person was a privilege. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
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151 comments Add your comment
Bill Orvis White
December 16th, 2010
1:59 pm
I love this man and cannot wait to make the trek to his library. GW Bush put God and country first unlike the current installed-”president.” I’m beyond jealous that this fine woman met the gorgeous first lady and the most handsome and accomplished president ever. GW made the tough choices and in the long run, history will prove that he was right. Merry Christmas.
Amen,
Bill
Answer man.
December 16th, 2010
2:03 pm
Only in America could a total moron have ANY fans.
Truth
December 16th, 2010
2:04 pm
Warren
Ok, Warren. Enlighten us. Tell us how you make “every man a King”, WITHOUT confiscating FROM others?
Truth
December 16th, 2010
2:04 pm
Answer man.
December 16th, 2010
2:03 pm
Only in America could a total moron have ANY fans
You’re talking about Obama, right?
New York Rebel
December 16th, 2010
2:05 pm
If PrezBo were able to be elected to ten terms as president; 30 years from now he would still be blaming someone else.
Warren
December 16th, 2010
2:07 pm
The people profiting off the backs of others shall have their fortunes stripped away via taxation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huey_Long#Share_Our_Wealth
Riddance
December 16th, 2010
2:09 pm
Warren – Did you mean “Good riddance”? Perhaps you should brush up on your grammar before insulting others.
Riddance
December 16th, 2010
2:11 pm
Than again, maybe he was speaking in terms dubba would understand. HA!
Truth
December 16th, 2010
2:14 pm
Warren
December 16th, 2010
2:07 pm
The people profiting off the backs of others shall have their fortunes stripped away via taxation.
Please explain exactly how they are “profiting off the backs of others”. Please be specific.
Truth
December 16th, 2010
2:15 pm
Oh I see, I should have read the link.
Truth
December 16th, 2010
2:18 pm
Truth
December 16th, 2010
2:15 pm
Oh I see, I should have read the link
Nice try, imposter.
Contractor
December 16th, 2010
2:21 pm
Warren,
Take a look at how Obama and his wife made their money if you want to blabber about it all. He is profiting off the backs of people whom have bought their books. Gracious alive man, get a clue. Everyone profits from everyone in this world, it’s how we all have jobs and make a living, it’s a big circle. Some are more fortunate than others, but since the beginning of man, there have always been those with, and those without, and it will never be changed whether you want it to or not.
ModdyD
December 16th, 2010
2:21 pm
I find it very funny how the Democrats forget that they had the power of both houses of Congress for Bush’s last two years. Hmmmmmm……
Barry
December 16th, 2010
2:25 pm
@Leep I totally agree with you. If I could have gotten time off of work I would have went there to see Bush. I also did not agree with most of his policies but how often do you get to meet a past President? I definitely would have wanted a signed book. The only other President I met was when i was a kid and Ford came to my dad’s Air Force base for a visit. Maybe he will come back again……
Brenda J.
December 16th, 2010
2:30 pm
“Me too” and “Bush was Amazing” your character is showing and it stinks! Admittedly I was ready for Bush to leave office, but I respect him and his wife. If he read this blog, he would probably think the two of you are BOZOs as he would never say the derogatory things you are saying about President Obama. Having been president, Bush knows that it is a tough job for anyone, especially since some silly observers expect them to walk on water and to solve all of their problems. As for President Obama, I do not just think that he is intelligent, I know that he is -something that the two of you know nothing about and you show it!
JoeV
December 16th, 2010
2:40 pm
ModdyD
December 16th, 2010
2:21 pm
“I find it very funny how the Democrats forget that they had the power of both houses of Congress for Bush’s last two years. Hmmmmmm……”
I find it funny that you don’t remember Bush vetoing everything under the sun.
GWB
December 16th, 2010
2:56 pm
What an honor to have these two class acts in Atlanta. We are a better people and better country for 8 years of George W. Bush in office. God Bless American and hurry up two more years so we can take the White House back.
Kay
December 16th, 2010
3:04 pm
Hey Truth,
You wholehearted proved that ANSWER MAN IS TELLING THE TRUTH!
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:06 pm
@ Brenda- I never criticized his intelligence- EXCUSE ME… I said Mr. Obama is unfit for the job, due to his lack of expeirence and knowledge of how to run this country. Plus, his child hood home was from Kenya. That is the truth. I didn’t say he may not be an American.
Read fully the comments before criticizing someone.
Steve
December 16th, 2010
3:06 pm
Great book…..I need it to start my fire tonight!! LOL
Frank
December 16th, 2010
3:09 pm
Some of you guys are out of control! It is possible to disagree with a politician’s policies without demonizing them as a person. Try it. You’ll find out it’s actually quite easy.
Beth Prince
December 16th, 2010
3:10 pm
hey gm…….learn how to spell the word “WAIT”. Who is the idiot now???
Kat
December 16th, 2010
3:10 pm
I was there yesterday and today, and well….I’m glad I got to meet them, but the organization by Borders (I know the secret service has it under control) was really…well, unorganized….I think they would have been able to improve it by making sure all of their employees knew all the answers they were supposed to know, and not saying things COMPLETELY wrong….
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:10 pm
@ Brenda (again) Not only that, you say some silly people think that the presidents can walk on water, etc. Who thought Bush was God? No One- they threw shoes at him, spat at him, ridiculed him during his presidency, even wanted to impeach him the entire time, for his no-nonsense theories.
The only thing about those who believe in BO, is that they DO think he can WALK ON WATER.
No one ever thought that of Bush or any other president. For BO, they think he can take care of all the problems of which he continues to point at Bush for failing.
When, in truth- he hasn’t done one thing yet in his 2 YEARS OF OFFICE to correct any of them…
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:13 pm
Mr. Obama has been in office for 2 YEARS, and hasn’t done anything to show his creditability that he knows how to run a country and take care of his office, and staff. Look at what happened this past election in November! Did we not show him how we realized our mistake of electing this man who was a 3 year senator with no other political expeirence?
justin
December 16th, 2010
3:19 pm
@Jim
Well those blaming Bush for have a valid reason, unlike many of you who choose to forget all the mess he caused.
Frank
December 16th, 2010
3:22 pm
Bush was Amazing, your comments at 3:10 are confusing. Who are these people you are referring to who think that President Obama can walk on water? Have you been reading the news lately? Over the past week or so he has really ticked off a whole bunch of his base by lending his support to tax policies that have been promoted by Republicans. On the other hand, based on your comments, he isn’t getting a lot of love from the right either for supporting policies that they actually want. And taxes are just one issue where his supporters have not been happy because they think he has compromised too much with Republicans and conservative Democrats. I guess you just can’t win with some people!
With regard to your comment about the President’s childhood home being in Kenya, that is just not factually correct. You are either making stuff up or you are easily fooled. The President grew up in Hawaii, although he did live in Indonesia from the ages of 6 to 10. Get the facts before posting, please.
DW
December 16th, 2010
3:22 pm
Best Wishs and Thank You for a job well done Mr. President. Enjoy yourself, you earned it. Let history write your final book, not a bunch of tards on some blog sitting around waiting on their next welfare check or handout so they can make a drug run or sell their food stamps for lottery tickets, a bottle of MD 2020 or a 12 pack of Colt 45 malt-liquor.
Truth
December 16th, 2010
3:29 pm
Kay
Another accusation, where’s the proof?
DW
December 16th, 2010
3:32 pm
Oh by the way, if I offended anyone with my 3:22 comment I guess your one of those people. If not, why be offended? You can paint a skunk, put perfume on it, whatever but its still a skunk and it stinks!!
Get busy DW
December 16th, 2010
3:34 pm
DW are you seriously begging for someone to be offended by your comment? I mean, c’mon man, at least let people respond to you with something snarky before you post your response. You apparently have way too much time on your hands!!
Truth
December 16th, 2010
3:34 pm
This is good Liberal thinking:
“Rep. Cleaver has proposed a $48 billion earmark
When absurdity gives way to hilarity, you must be talking about politics.
In the midst of a colossal global concern for the economic stability of our great nation, Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri’s 5th Congressional District representative, has one small earmark on his wish list that deserves some attention.
Cleaver has listed a new earmark — one of several — and he promises to “fight for every one.” But this is a whopping $48 billion package that must go down as the grandaddy of all earmarks.
Proposed by a gentleman named Lamar Mickens, president of the not-for-profit Quality Day Campus, the $48 billion earmark would funnel money into the inner cities to give money to the poor and thereby produce a much larger consumer class to buy the goods and services produced in this country.
Just call this redistribution on steroids.”
Just wait for the uptick in Lottery Sales, MD2020, and Colt “40’s”.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:37 pm
Hence- I said his childhood home was in Kenya. So, my statements are indeed correct. Age 6- 10 I believe is your childhood. Correct me if I am wrong on that one too.
Wiki- Middle childhood
Main articles: Child and Preadolescence
Middle childhood begins at around age seven or eight, approximating primary school age and ends around puberty, the beginning of adolescence.
My statement was counter to Brenda’s who mentioned that everyone believes all presidents can walk on water and get things taken care of. I was simply telling her that the only people that believed that was in reference to Obama. So, please read carefully before criticizing someone.
And you’re right- this has proven his inability to run a country, not sure what to do or to act on his own accord. Mr. Bush did not care what others thought, and did what was best for his country, not for his political party. No one claimed Bush to be Messiah, as they have for Obama.
The Democrats realized what he was doing, and even some of the jumped the wagon before it got out of hand. They only went along with some of Obama’s issues for their own political gain in the future. The entire time, Mr. Obama has been trying to decide what will be good for his political gain and honor- he even had to bring in Former President Clinton to help out on this last issue you were talking about. How come he couldn’t do it on his own? Just another proof of his incapability to run the country and to do his job. Even his wife had put pressure on him to sign that crazy Healthy Food for children Act. Laura never pressured her husband to sign something because it was something she considered he was doing wrong… Laura Bush allowed her husband to make his decisions on his own, without embarrassing him infront of the whole country
DW
December 16th, 2010
3:40 pm
Kind of like fishing, use the right stink bait you can hook a bottom feeder real quick. Someone hand me the net!!
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:41 pm
LOL @ DW
Brenda J.
December 16th, 2010
3:43 pm
Frank – Thank you so so much. Finally an intelligent comment. It amazes me how some people think that they must demonize and completely tear one person down in order to build the other one up. Why can’t the Republicans and Democrats work together and reach some kind of consensus in this crazy uncertain world that we are now living in? In unity there is still strength. If both parties could stop acting like children and stop this one-upmanship where they both want the credit and come together to find a solution to the problems that we are facing, we would indeed see a better country.
Get busy DW
December 16th, 2010
3:44 pm
Oh, you’re a fast one DW! You get a real kick out of getting a response don’t you? I don’t drink though, and don’t play the lottery so put that net down and wait patiently. I’m sure you have the time on your hands.
PS — If you reply to me, then doesn’t that mean that If I use the right stink bait I am hooking a bottom feeder? My head is spinning with the possibilities! Can I borrow that net of yours? I think I might be on the verge of catching a real whopper.
Contractor
December 16th, 2010
3:44 pm
DW,
Before you hook anyone, you need to hook your mind around the difference between your and you’re. You must be bobbing yourself in the water, cause YOU’RE the type of stink bait that bottom dwellers settle for. No need for the net, cause you have been swallowed.
DW
December 16th, 2010
3:47 pm
Hey Contractor, I’m sure you know all about swallowing one.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:48 pm
@ Brenda – look at what you yourself is saying- talk about being a hypocrite. Frank made a comment against me- and you were congratulating him for having a comment that made sense.
Oh please. you’re such a hypocrite, Brenda. You call Frank’s comment intelligent? I wonder just how smart you are, Brenda.
DW
December 16th, 2010
3:49 pm
Get Busy DW, I’m sure you have swallowed a Whopper or two in your time also.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:50 pm
And please -SOMEONE- correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t it Mr. Obama who had pledged in his campaign to work with BOTH parties and to have a bipartisan congress?
And to allow Americans to openly see what is going on in Parliament meetings?
And to allow Americans to read the bill and give us a chance to debate on it before it is passed?
Frank
December 16th, 2010
3:50 pm
Bush was Amazing — “hence” what? You still haven’t shown that Mr. Obama spent his childhood in Kenya. You don’t think that Kenya is in Indonesia do you?!
The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa.
Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Contractor
December 16th, 2010
3:52 pm
Brenda J,
Well Miss Brenda, it was Obama who said the Republicans can come along, but must sit in the back of the bus, cause he wasn’t allowing them anything or willing to work with them. So please review your political events since Barry took office, and the way he wasn’t willing to give an inch to Republicans. He has turned this country towards the gutter, and the Republicans aren’t going to compromise with a guy who turned us to that direction and is not willing to be bipartisan whatsoever. So the facts you’re pointing towards are a fathom of the Liberal mind. With the gains in November, Barry will no longer be able to cram his agenda down our throats, and order will soon be restored. So don’t turn your nose up at Republicans, because it was your Liberal government that started it once they had complete power and could do what they wanted.
Contractor
December 16th, 2010
3:54 pm
DW,
Wow, way to hit me hard there. Not being able to face the facts, or the truth always leads to perverted twist and name calling. Take a few minutes, gather your thoughts, and try to figure out why this is an argument you can’t win, and then come back to the table, hoss.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:55 pm
@ Frank- just to let you go, you’re right- my bad. His FATHER is from Kenya.
art
December 16th, 2010
3:57 pm
Did anyone bother to spit on him and his ugly wife? They deserve it, just like the Obamas, Clintons and Bushes.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
3:58 pm
@ contractor – not to mention he said when the republicans took over this past month, that let us see if they have any good ideas, other than from what was already on the table, of which we tried and hadn’t worked out.
Truth
December 16th, 2010
3:59 pm
art
December 16th, 2010
3:57 pm
Did anyone bother to spit on him and his ugly wife? They deserve it, just like the Obamas, Clintons and Bushes.
They must be saving their best saliva for you.
Get busy DW
December 16th, 2010
4:00 pm
Now that really hurts DW! I mean, I haven’t been talked to like that since at least the 8th grade. “Swallowed a whopper!” Wow, you really know how to hit below the belt. What’s next? Are you going to call me a sissy? Are you gonna knock my books off my desk? Excuse me, I need a moment to collect myself from that scathing, and intellectually superior, retort.