It started with thunderous applause, applause for both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, two Presidents who have combined governed arguably the most powerful nation on Earth for the last sixteen years. Bill Clinton began by speaking on his current work with the Clinton Global Initiative and the Clinton Climate Initiative, noting how dramatically important reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be in the next few years. He referred to his ongoing works in Africa, noting how organizations such as Kiva.org allow donators to see the fruits of their labor and contribute in a positive way on the ground in developing nations. George W. Bush then stepped to the podium, and threw out a few anecdotes on life out of the “fast lane“, his upcoming plans to write his memoirs and the significance of the special relationship the United States has with Canada.

Bush vs. Clinton? Not so much. Clinton dismissed the notion as being “cute” and true to form, the two did more agreeing than conflicting. 

When asked about the United States’ lack of support for the people of Rwanda being savaged by genocide, Clinton conceded that he “had no defense”. Ultimately, by the time he could organize even 20,000 troops to Rwanda, the massacre would have been near over. However, he admits there had not been “even one meeting” about the issue in the White House.

Bush, many times referring to himself in the third person, stated similarly that he felt there was more that could be done with regard to Darfur, but that intervening in another Muslim nation so shortly after invading Afghanistan and Iraq would not only send a bad message, but was met with conflicting responses from the international community.

Both agreed that the United Nations “isn’t actually great for solving problems“.

Clinton and Bush genuinely looked and acted shocked to hear about the new legislation in Canada, regarding passports being required to enter the United States and vice-versa. Bill made it clear that based on this knowledge and in knowing how different the relationship with the U.S. and Canada is than the relationship between Mexico and the U.S., would contact the necessary channels in the hopes of repealing the upcoming regulations. 

Ultimately, George W. Bush was applauded by both President Clinton and indeed the audience for his global HIV/AIDS initiatives that have spared millions of lives in Africa. He thanked the audience, shook the hand of President Clinton again, and responded by saying, “you turn would-be killers in to friends with love. Watching one’s family die from AIDS could stir feelings of hopelessness that terror organizations prey upon. Its out of compassion and a security issue”.

Clinton agreed, noting that winning “the evangelical vote on the matter” truly gave the doctrine wings. 

Overall, an inspiring encounter with unfortunately not much to take away going forward. However, an interesting retrospective in to the Presidencies of two men who genuinely respect each other’s strategies through shifting tides, and indeed each other.