Presidents George W. Bush, Clinton kick off new scholars program

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush kicked off the Presidential Leadership Scholars program Monday with a friendly chat at the Newseum in Washington.

The program is a collaboration between their libraries and those established by Lyndon B. Johnson and George H.W. Bush. It will give scholars an opportunity to study the decisions made by Democrats Johnson and Clinton and the Republican Bushes.

Both Bush and Clinton engaged in some bipartisan praise. Bush spoke of Johnson's effort to get the Civil Rights Act passed: "One of the greatest legislative feats in our nation's history, and Lyndon B. Johnson powered it through."

Clinton praised the elder Bush for his principled, moral stances and the younger one for sticking to his decisions. He said that Bush, during his second term, called him once a year seeking advice.

The event was informal. Bush waved and said "Hi, mom," when he learned his parents were watching on C-Span.

Clinton pulled out a ringing cellphone, saying only two people have that particular number. He said he hoped he was not about to be told he would be a "premature grandfather."

Bush, already a grandfather, had some advice for Clinton, whose daughter is pregnant.

"Get ready to fall completely in love again," he said.

Clinton is accustomed to partnering with the Bushes. He and the elder Bush raised money together for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and for those hurt by Hurricane Katrina, while he and the younger Bush did the same for victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.