Reagan To Obama: "You're A Lefty!"
(AP)
CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller sends word of an amusing moment as the president signed the act, when the former first lady exclaimed, "Oh, you're a lefty!"
Reagan was referring not to the president's politics, but to the fact that Mr. Obama was signing the bill with his left hand. Replied the president, also not in reference to politics: "I am a lefty."
In his remarks the president lauded the former president, saying he "understood that, while there are often strong disagreements between parties and political adversaries, disagreements that can be a source of conflict and bitterness, it is important to keep in mind all that we share."
"For all of the deepest divides that exist in America, the bonds that bring us together are that much stronger," said Mr. Obama. "We may see the world differently, but we must never stop seeing one another as fellow Americans and as patriots who want what is best for the country that we love."
The president's full remarks, as provided by the White House, are below.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all for coming to the White House today as we commemorate the life and work of a President in the presence of those who loved him, and knew him, and respected him deeply as both a leader and as a man.
And in particular, I want to thank our special guest here today, Nancy Reagan, our former First Lady, who redefined that role in her time at the White House -- and who has, in the many years since, taken on a new role, as an advocate on behalf of treatments that hold the promise of improving and saving lives. And I should just add, she has been extraordinarily gracious to both me and Michelle during our transition here and I'm thankful for that.
(CBS)
I'd also like to recognize the members of Congress who are standing alongside us, who worked so hard to pass the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act, particularly Congressman Elton Gallegly, the lead sponsor of this bill. Finally, I want to thank the trustees of the Reagan Foundation who are here today as well.
This legislation -- approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives, and passed unanimously in the Senate -- will create a commission to honor President Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth. And I am proud to sign it into law.
President Reagan understood that while there are often strong disagreements between parties and political adversaries -- disagreements that can be a source of conflict and bitterness -- it is important to keep in mind all that we share.
For all of the deepest of divides that exist in America, the bonds that bring us together are that much stronger. And we may see the world differently, but we must never stop seeing one another as fellow Americans -- and as patriots -- who want what is best for the country we love.
This nation was built on the basis of the principle that we are stronger, not weaker, for even the most vigorous debates -- debates that have energized our politics since the inventors of America argued over our founding documents more than two centuries ago. Through the weighing of different views we take measure of where we stand and where we must go. And the moment we fail to recognize the good in those with whom we quarrel, is the moment that we've lost sight of who we are as a people.
President Reagan helped as much as any President to restore a sense of optimism in our country, a spirit that transcended politics -- that transcended even the most heated arguments of the day. It was this optimism that allowed leaders like the President and Speaker Tip O'Neill, who held sharply different philosophies, to sit down together at the end of difficult debates as friends, and to work with one another on complex and contentious issues like Social Security. It was this optimism that the American people sorely needed during a difficult period -- a period of economic and global challenges that tested us in unprecedented ways.
In these perilous times, President Reagan had the ability to communicate directly and movingly to the American people; to understand both the hardships they felt in their lives and the hopes that they had for their country. That was powerful, that was important, and we are better off for the extraordinary leadership that he showed.
So I'm glad to have all of you here today; I'm especially glad to have Mrs. Reagan here today as we sign this bill. I'll look forward to the seeing the fruits of this commission's work, culminating in the celebration of President Reagan's life on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
And on that morning in America, we can be proud to come together as one nation -- and one people -- to honor a leader who loved this country and wanted nothing more than to see its promise fulfilled.
So thank you all very much. God bless you. God bless the United States of America. Ms. Reagan, let's go sign this bill.
(The Act is signed.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that President Reagan's signature was more legible than mine. (Laughter.) There you go.
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Hilarious.
Posted by harpoot
=========================
harpoot....................a self-described tolerant liberal.....(insert eye roll)
President Obama is committed to a healthy banking system for this nation and the survival of capitalism. He wants citizens to see past their own noses and face down the national challenge to compete effectively in the world or global economy.
There are no shortages of voices telling citizens there is an easier way, but only the Democratic party will say the truth and never mislead citizens into believing anything worthwhile in life is ever easy.
Posted by pensacola8-2009
Actually what happened is that first Bush and then Obama have bowed down to the almighty gods of the Federal Reserve ( a private group of rich corrupt bankers like the Rockefellers and the Rothchilds) who own most of the country, most of the financial institutions, and most of our leaders through payoffs and bribes.
They basically handed them the keys to the Treasury.
The very folks that brought this boondoggle of an economic crisis upon us with their risky voodoo economics, now stand to collect at both ends. First when we bail them out and again when they buy up all the foreclosed properties at pennies on the dollar.
What a con and what a scheme.
First they tear it down, eat off the fat, tear it down, eat off the fat and laugh all the way to the bank.
And every president since 1913 when these criminals at the Federal Reserve bribed enough of our leaders to pass a law putting them in charge of our money, has bowed down to them except one.
And they shot him dead in 1963 when he started the process of dismantling the Fed.
It really is time folks saw further than the end of their nose.
Reagan wasn't fit to kiss Obama's shoes, or mine for that matter. I understand he was a personable man. But, anyone who gets the unborn to pay for his administration, and jettisons hard-won legislation to control the finance (banking) sector (after the horrid lessons learned in the Great Depression), isn't worth the dirt I walk on.
Anyone living through the harsh economic realities of today, caused by gambling in the finance sector, can thank Reagan for their plight. The country learned some hard lessons after the Great Depression, and the solutions were implemented and lasted for 50 years (the best 50 years in this nations life). Then Reagan happened and turned it all down. And Clinton, recognizing the popularity of Reagan, continued the process. And then BUSH happened. Thirty years of Americans forgetting just how #@$%$^ up the finance sector can get if you don't WATCH THEM LIKE A HAWK. We're doomed to repeat the history of the 1930's because Reagan was too much of an air-head to have any sense of history.