Rooney On The Presidents He's Met

(CBS)  The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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We're going to choose a new president on Nov. 4th, which is pretty soon now. I hope it's an improvement.

I'm a little suspicious of both candidates. I'm always suspicious of anyone who wants such a hard job as being president of The United States.

Not only that, I think anyone who thinks he or she is smart enough to be president ought to be counted out because we don't want anyone who has that high an opinion of him or herself.

I have to say "him or her" now so people won't accuse me of being sexist. I am sexist of course. I just don't want to be accused of it.

I was counting them up and I've been lucky to have met eight of the last nine presidents of the United States. I just shook hands with most of them, but Dwight Eisenhower I really knew because I met him often in London when I was a reporter for The Stars and Stripes during WW II. A great American.

I grew up in Albany, N.Y., and I met Franklin D. Roosevelt when he was governor and he came to the school I went to. He spoke that day but I can't remember anything he said.

I met Richard Nixon with a bunch of other reporters in the Rose Garden of the White House years ago. I never liked Nixon but I pretended I did when I met him that day. You don't want to get in bad with the president. He probably knew what I thought though. You can usually tell what someone thinks of you.

I met Jimmy Carter several times - very friendly and it seemed to come naturally to him.

I've met Bill Clinton. I was sitting in a restaurant in New York eating dinner a few years ago when this guy slides into the banquette next to me, holds out his hand and says "Hello. I'm Bill Clinton". I already knew that of course but he couldn't have been friendlier. He wasn't even running for anything because he'd already been president. So, how do you think I feel about Bill Clinton?

One president I've never met is George W. Bush. I've seen him a lot on television, of course.

I'd really like to meet our next president, so I sort of hate to tell you this but I don't know who I'm going to vote for this year. You know why? I'm in this terrible position. I like both Barack Obama and John McCain. I don't think we can go wrong.



Written by Andy Rooney

[forthinvader]

You Liberal Self-Hating Whities are funny knocking the Conservative Right-Wing "Racist" Whities. Obama will set both of you Whitey Groups straight. You will pay out of your Jew and Gentile noses for the Slavery you inflicted on the Black Nation of America. You should watch John Trevolta''''s movie "Whiteman''''s Burden" to see how your Whitey lives will be like in Black America come 2009. CHANGE IS COMING!!!!

[brisa2004]

Mr. Rooney,
I think your comments about choosing a presidential candidate are less insightful and more ironic than anything. Did you expect the millions of Americans watching to pity you that you didn''t have the chance to keep your record of meeting Presidents going? The facts are that we care less about some self-centered big mouth who touts his own horn and more about people who help others to make a difference. Why would you worry about who gets into office, because your position as a rich, old white man won''t change. The mistakes of the current Presidential administration have affected the middle and working class, not elites like you. I bet the economy looks pretty good from where you''re sitting too! Go ahead and remain undecided, so what? It''s the middle and working class that support this country and it will be us who demand change.

[ceceroyal]

Viewing the online rancorous chorus of responses to Andy''s contention that he remains undecided about casting his vote for McCain or Obama makes me believe he provoked the controversy he intended. With the US economy in a shambles, its standing in the world at an all-time low, and its continuing engagement in an unpopular war, Andy knows *** well this is an important election. I''ve got to believe his final remarks were tongue in cheek. I hope he at least sets the record straight even if he doesn''t tell us outright that he is voting for Obama.

[alice135]

Hat''s off to you Andy Rooney. You''re the BEST.

[antoniof123]

Now who''''''''s stupid?Posted by lilbeards1 at 10:10 AM : Oct 20, 2008

You are you are an idiot worst then the one in the Oval office.

[antoniof123]

I like Mr. Rooney he is so good about things. I also agree with him in voting you need to get all the facts.

[cpreve-2009]

I would suggest that if Mr. Rooney is unable to decide between the candidates for President, he should consider which Vice Presidential candidate he feels is most qualified to assume the Presidency of the United States.

[kysusann]

I thoroughly enjoy your comments on the various subjects. However, this one was one of the best. I applaude you for not voicing your opinion of the candidates for president. I think that is a personal matter and should not be discussed in public. Thank you for not adding to the media coverage of one candidate.

[kelleew]

I was appalled at your commentary for multiple reasons. First, you don''t know who to vote for because both candidates are likeable? What does that have to do with where they stand on the issues that are important to you as a voter?

Secondly, you admit that you are sexist, but you just don''t want to be accused of it? Change the word sexist to racist, would you say that on the air? No, because you would be terminated immediately. You should be now. I would hope that someone on a reputable news program would be required consider their commentary before spewing such offensive remarks to the viewers.

[yrunuts]

There was a time when I enjoyed and agreed with most of what you said. You sort of tell it like is!!!!
Obama or McCain, "either one". Now it''s time you get off the show, your wimpy opinion is proof you DON"T tell it like it is.