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When First Twin Jenna Bush is married this weekend in Crawford, Texas, she’ll be the first presidential child since 1992 to tie the knot while Dad’s in office. That year, Jenna’s aunt, Dorothy Walker Bush—younger sister of George W. and youngest child of George H.W.—married Robert B. Koch, in a quiet ceremony at Camp David.
Jenna’s betrothed, Henry Hager, is described as “a former aide to the president.” According to Doug Wead, author of All the Presidents’ Children, in her choice of spouses, “Jenna Bush is following a long line of presidential children before her. Like the rest of us, they marry whoever is around.”
It’s 37 years and counting since a son or daughter of the president was married at the White House (during the Age of Nixon). Historians reckon there have been about 30 major weddings at the White House. And of the 23 presidential offspring married while their father was in office (Jenna included), nine tied the knot at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
If I could pick five White House weddings to attend and report back to mental_floss—for their historical interest if not for the open bar—it would be these:
Maria Hester Monroe—March 9, 1820
This first wedding of a presidential child seems to have put a damper on President James Monroe’s Era of Good Feeling. Seventeen-year-old Maria was engaged to 21-year-old Samuel L. Gouverneur, her first cousin and a White House staffer.
The wedding took place in the East Room or the Blue Room (historians aren’t sure), just three years after the presidential mansion was rebuilt following its burning in the War of 1812. Maria’s older sister had taken charge of the wedding plans with the cool efficiency of Martha Stewart, and by inviting just 42 family members and close friends, she antagonized Washington society and the diplomatic corps.
The couple tried to make amends by scheduling a round of balls. The first was nine days after the wedding, at the home of naval hero Commodore Stephen Decatur. During the festivities, Decatur quietly accepted a challenge to a duel. The following Wednesday he was shot and killed on the field of honor. The news shocked the country and plunged the capital into mourning, forcing the cancellation of all celebrations, including those of Mr. and Mrs. Gouverneur.
John Adams II—February 5, 1828
Louisa Adams, wife of Monroe’s secretary of state, John Quincy Adams, had noted in her diary how much bad feeling the Monroe wedding had generated. Yet after Adams succeeded Monroe, the White House wedding of son John Adams II—the only presidential son married in the White House—proceeded in much the same way.
Mary Catherine Hellen was close not only to John II, but to the entire Adams family. After her parents died, John Quincy and Louisa Adams raised Mary and her siblings. As a teenager Mary became the object of affection—if not obsession—of the three Adams sons. She had already enthralled one brother and been engaged to another when, at age 17, Mary wed the youngest Adams in a small, quiet ceremony.
John II died of alcoholism at age 31, and Mary went back to live with John Quincy and Louisa, running their household until their deaths. She outlived her own children and died in 1870.
Grover Cleveland—June 2, 1886
The only president to serve two non-consecutive terms was also the only president married in a White House ceremony. Grover Cleveland was 49 and a little more than a year into his first term when he married 21-year-old Frances Folsom. The wedding was a simple affair—attended by close friends, family, and cabinet members and their wives. Apparently Washington was getting used to small ceremonies. But the occasion was far from quiet—John Philip Sousa led the Marine Band.
After the ceremony, “[T]he ladies kissed the bride to their hearts content,” The New York Times reported, “but the gentlemen followed the example of the groom and refrained.” There was a 20-pound salmon to sup on and a 25-pound wedding cake.
Cleveland had known his bride her whole life. Her father was a close friend of the future president, and Cleveland bought the infant Frances a baby carriage as a gift. When her father died leaving no will, the court appointed Cleveland to administer the estate. He was, until shortly before he married her, Frances’s legal guardian.
Two other presidents married while in office. John Tyler married his second wife, Julia Gardiner, in 1844, in New York City. And Woodrow Wilson married his second wife, Edith Bolling Galt, in 1915, at her home in Washington, DC.
Alice Lee Roosevelt—February 17, 1906
Of all the presidential children, Theodore Roosevelt’s eldest child had a reputation that most closely resembles Jenna Bush’s. Princess Alice, as she was known, was a late-Victorian version of a celebrity, whose wild exploits were catnip for the press—smoking in public, driving her own car, chewing gum, and flirting with men—without a chaperone.
One of her many suitors was Nicholas Longworth, 35, an ambitious Republican congressman from Ohio. And if previous White House weddings were simple, private affairs, the Roosevelt-Longworth wedding was the Must-See Event of the year. The House of Representatives adjourned for the day, and 1,000 guests fought for both parking spots and a view of the bride from one of the White House’s state rooms.
Alice refused to have bridesmaids, who might have detracted attention from the 22-year-old bride and her wedding dress with its 18-foot-long train of silver brocade. She walked toward the East Room on the arm of her father and managed to do the impossible—she upstaged Theodore Roosevelt.
Nicholas Longworth went on to become speaker of the House. He already was a drinker and womanizer, two activities that cooled their marriage quickly. When Alice had a daughter, the father reputedly was Sen. William Borah of Idaho.
Tricia Nixon—June 12, 1971
The ‘60s had seen the weddings of President Lyndon Johnson’s two daughters and President-elect Richard Nixon’s younger daughter. The wedding of elder daughter Tricia Nixon to Edward Cox, a 24-year-old law student with a liberal bent, was the most sumptuous and last White House wedding to date.
It was also the first outdoor White House wedding, held in the Rose Garden between rain showers and broadcast live on television. At the reception, which followed in the East Room, the 25-year-old bride danced with her father to “Thank Heaven for Little Girls.” The 400 wedding invitations, Time magazine reported, included one to “Eddie’s friend Ralph Nader.”
According to The Hill, “[Tricia’s] dress made its way [from Boston] to the White House under the watch of designer Priscilla Kidder and a phalanx of armed Secret Service agents. A cover story in Life magazine reported that the group purchased a first-class seat for the dress to ensure its safe passage to Washington.” Also in attendance was Alice Roosevelt Longworth, whose own White House wedding was 65 years earlier.
David Holzel enjoys this kind of presidential trivia, and edits The Franklin Pierce Pages just to prove it.
See also…
• A Brief History of Celebrity Political Endorsements
• The Stories Behind 10 Famous Product Placements
• Trailer Parks, Video Games & Amway: How Sports Owners Made Their Money
• Paging Dr. Freud: Unusual Mental Illnesses
• On The Money: A Presidential Currency Quiz
• Name the Presidents in 8 Minutes
• Quiz: The Lives of Former Presidents
Comments (75)
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Wow neat stuff. Great article David!
If I ever had a chance to have my wedding at the White House, I would’ve jumped at the opportunity. How many people get to be part of history?
Best of luck to the happy couple.
posted by CK on 5-9-2008 at 11:39 am
You are not correct about there not being a wedding at the White House since Nixon was president. Tony Rodham (brother of Hillary Rodham Clinton) got married there during Clinton’s Presidency. I ought to know, my parents went to the wedding.
posted by Kevin McDonald on 5-9-2008 at 11:53 am
Thanks Kevin. It’s been 37 years since a president’s child was married at the White House though. Thanks for the heads up.
posted by Will on 5-9-2008 at 1:46 pm
“I ought to know, my parents went to the wedding.” Someone gag me please…
posted by Candice on 5-10-2008 at 12:21 am
Posted this link in http://www.surfurls.com
posted by gibsy on 5-10-2008 at 12:25 pm
I think that they should have had the wedding at the white house… and be a part of history…
they are such a beautiful couple…. she looks so cute…
I love this last year of President George Bushes presidency… it is just full of great people and great history…
The pope.. the N Korea Philharmonic, and the Saudi’s meeting…
i think that he is doing an amazing job at President..
GO BUSH!
posted by Lisa Miceli on 5-10-2008 at 12:26 pm
Why not gag yourself, Candice?
posted by Historyteacher on 5-10-2008 at 12:26 pm
i wouldnt brag about knowing anyone associated with hillary.
posted by BT on 5-10-2008 at 12:27 pm
Just one thing to say, I hope George Bush’s daughter isnt as stupid as her dad!
posted by Simba on 5-10-2008 at 12:29 pm
Candice, Green tea for you. Lay off the caffiene. As for the Bush wedding? Big hoopti doo!! We got more problems in this world to deal with rather than deal with some punk ass president’s daughter’s wedding!! Sorry, this is my opinion and I’m sticking to it!
posted by MIckey on 5-10-2008 at 12:29 pm
Greetings!
I think this is disgusting. Why is she not fighting for “freedom” in Iraq?
You are all brainwashed. The elites are traitors and war criminals who are using the rest of us to fight their illegal, immoral wars for their profit while they engage in lavish weddings and dine in luxury. Wake the f*ck up people.
posted by Christian Tutschka on 5-10-2008 at 12:31 pm
congratulation Jenna Bush, I wish you and to your husbent all the best
posted by lola on 5-10-2008 at 12:32 pm
cool, thanks for the corections!
posted by Me on 5-10-2008 at 12:33 pm
didn’t an eisenhower get married there also?
posted by cyn on 5-10-2008 at 1:26 pm
I think it’s great that there is a wedding. It shows that the president is also a person with a family. She should not be in Iraq. Give them a break it’s a happy time and they deserve happiness too.
Congrats to the bride and groom!
posted by Amber on 5-10-2008 at 1:37 pm
Christian, apparently you are not fighting for freedom in Iraq either, because you are on here pissed about a wedding. Please!
posted by Lisa on 5-10-2008 at 1:44 pm
I honestly find it very stupit of bush and his daughter to take advantage of the white house like this now that he’s going down pretty soon it’s not his anymore dude
posted by iraqian on 5-10-2008 at 2:07 pm
Ye-Haw are past presidents family’s sound like w-trash hillbillys. Marrying first cuzans, legal guardians, illicit affairs sound more like Earl and Joy at the trailer park than the white house.
posted by queen on 5-10-2008 at 2:37 pm
Christian has got it right!
Whoever said that Bush has been a good president should be locked away in an institution. What about his response to Hurricane Katrina, the WAR thats killing young Americans over Oil thats making the rich richer and the poor desperate. Its really scary to think that there are still Americans out there supporting this maniac, THEY SHOULD ALL BE DEPORTED!
posted by Dreday on 5-10-2008 at 2:38 pm
awww so cut (she is so hot)
posted by Alex on 5-10-2008 at 2:46 pm
You know…those of you who are down on Jenna’s wedding because of President Bush really need to get a life!
Are you so perfect that you think what Bush has done or not done in the White House calls for your ignorance??? Your ignorance stems from COMMUNISTIC LIBERAL teaching…you don’t know the truth…if you did, you’d understand the real reason for the war. Oh, that’s right…your too whimpy and fearful to stand up to the terrorists…just like every Dem who is behind Kennedy and everyone else!
Just for your FYI…did you know that Hazballa supports OBAMA?? Read it for yourself…for anyone who refuses the truth–may the day of reckoning be his in the future.
I hope that Jenna’s wedding is beautiful and special…as well as, people, like Christian, staying away…FAR AWAY!!! Maybe Christian would like to live over there to see what life is really like??? HUH???
PS…you can’t blame her for not wanting the wedding at the White House…although Bush has been there 8 years–I don’t think it’s been totally cleaned up from Bill and Monica…
posted by Ghastly Geezer on 5-10-2008 at 2:49 pm
I find it very disrespectful to question the President of the United States’ ability to be a father. So what if his daughter is getting married at the White House. You folks truly need to get a life. If you spent as much time with your own lives, as you do making rude remarks of others, then you might have a change of heart.
And this BS about the WAR is over oil; have you folks not learned anything over these last few years???? WAKE UP and LOOK AT THE IGNORANCY IN YOUR STATEMENTS. Better yet, imagine yourself as the President, POP QUIZ…HOT SHOT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?????
posted by James on 5-10-2008 at 2:54 pm
Christian Tutshka, If you don’t like this country and all can do is b**** about it. THAN LEAVE!
posted by Stephanie on 5-10-2008 at 2:55 pm
The war isn’t all about oil! Have you forgotten 9/11/2001? I sure haven’t, the terrorist. Keep them over seas so they don’t do anymore harm hear on our american soil!
posted by Stephanie on 5-10-2008 at 2:57 pm
I agree about Bush. Who ever thinks he has done a wonderful job, obviously is not living in real world America. I mean really. The war, gas prices, recession, inflation. What an f$#@ up job he has done running the US into the ground.
Thanks for the $600 George, but I wouldn’t need it if you didn’t run our nation to the s%#* hole.
posted by CJ on 5-10-2008 at 2:59 pm
All of these posts just go to show that you can NEVER please EVERYONE! Everyone has an opinion and guess what, opinions are like feet at the end of the day, everyone has them and they all stink!!!!!!!!!!
posted by J on 5-10-2008 at 3:08 pm
Thank you for those who left kind comments and corrections. And to those who voted on Buzz and Digg. I appreciate the compliment.
For Cyn’s question about whether there was an Eisenhower married — I wonder if you are thinking of the first Nixon wedding. Julie Nixon married David Eisenhower, Ike’s grandson. The wedding was in a church.
Queen, I was amazed myself how tightly knit the country was at the beginning.
posted by David H. on 5-10-2008 at 3:11 pm
wow for all of you discussing the war what are you guys doin this weekend for the war? Goin out for drinks, sleepin in your comfy beds, and seein all your friends and family? Stop cryin about it and do something to help our soliders or our country.
posted by Kim on 5-10-2008 at 3:17 pm
First of all congrats to the bride and groom!!
Now as for the war…so we should just sit back and let them come over here and destroy us?? They took our twin towers down and killed several of our people. Besides that our soldiers know what they are signing up for and they love doing it!!! Ask some of them who have been over there..most of them would love to go back. They love defending our country and FIGHTING FOR YOUR FREEDOM, so you can come on here and leave these remarks that you are leaving. So next time you see a vet, thank them, because if it wasn’t for them you wouldn’t be walking on this ground that we call AMERICA so FREELY!!!
IF YOU CAN’T STAND BEHIND THEM…STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!!!
posted by armywife on 5-10-2008 at 3:22 pm
To Dreday, you know if Bush hadn’t done something about that attack on the Twin Towers you and all the war haters would be blasting his inactiveness. What would you have done? I bet being barely in office and having to make such a rash decision would be extremely difficult. Bush can’t please everybody but now that he started this war he is trying to finish it. I voted for him, I give him kudos for taking a stand. What was it that the Japanese said after the attack on Pearl Harbor? Ahh, “We have awoken a sleeping giant”, well, the talibian did just that. So pipe it unless you think you are some genius that could have made a better decision on such short notice and experience.
posted by ash on 5-10-2008 at 3:31 pm
This has nothing to do with President Bush, Iraq, or even where this couple gets married. Be glad that they are getting married and love each other. Just hope that their marriage lasts a lifetime and is filled with joy.
posted by joann on 5-10-2008 at 3:44 pm
perspective people! enough with the politics and bitterness; congratulations to the happy, beautiful couple! may they stay true to each other in the many tests/circumstances of life.
posted by kumar on 5-10-2008 at 3:52 pm
David, your article is one-of-a-kind and entertaining. Some people just spoil it with political remarks. Such negativity! Just enjoy the article, people!
posted by Maddie on 5-10-2008 at 3:56 pm
I am sorry, I do not usually type on these sort of things, but I am just so disgusted by the comments, I can’t help it. Those of you that have a problem with the way things are, let us not forget that during the Clinton years, we could have taken care of Obama, but Pres. Clinton did ignore his threats. As far as the gas prices, if you did your homework instead of just speaking on what you do not know, you would know that Hilary Clinton’s family owns most of the big oil and gas companies. I do also have to say…”Ladies, I do not understand today’s world. Nowhere in the world of class is there room for a woman to talk so disgustingly. I do hope that my daughters have better manners than you, and that this world would grow up, and get out of this white trash way of taking care of things. Please next time, refrain from the language, it only makes you look like an unintelligent person trying to explain yourself in an undignified manner.
posted by Sarah Buchner on 5-10-2008 at 3:58 pm
Everyone (including “iraquian”), SHE’S NOT GETTING MARRIED IN THE WHITE HOUSE, read the articel she is getting married at the family ranch while her dad is The President of the United States. Everyone leaving comments about the war here are ignorant, this is a story about marriage and no one knows better why we are there than THE SOLDIERS that are there. I’ll take their opinion over yours any day since I know several.
posted by Amber on 5-10-2008 at 4:05 pm
I will throw a party the day Bush gets his butt out of that office–if truth be told, Gore won the Presidency but when Bush went crying 2 daddy for a recount and then took office, that is the day that the world started going down. Now is this the daughter that was caught with the drugs on her or is it the other one?? Bush just needs 2 leave and we need a president that is going 2 take care of his people instead of sending our money 2 all these other countries.
posted by blondgirl on 5-10-2008 at 4:08 pm
James, if I was President, I would push for eco friendly vehicles by 2010, place a tax break on gasoline and set up programs to encourage economic growth and development. That is to name a few.
However, I must be reminded and so must everyone else, this is not a bash on Bush forum (though I still despise him), and yes its great his daughter is getting married. And I did enjoy the information about other weddings. That is the true nature so the bashing needs to stop here.
posted by CJ on 5-10-2008 at 4:10 pm
i think this wedding of the bush’s is histerical while there is a war going on and over 4,000 of our boys are killed alot of them wanted their own family wedding in their own way but could not have it. bush could of got out before his daughters’ wedding that is my say
posted by carrie gagne on 5-10-2008 at 4:12 pm
you guys are all crazy bush sucks and the war has nothing to do with oil or 9/11 he is just trying to be like his dad. on a lighter not congrats to the bride and groom
posted by not crazy on 5-10-2008 at 4:12 pm
Wow, this was actually quite an interesting article. I wish we could’ve learned about fun facts like this in school!
I know…there isn’t much about Bush I like except for his daughters. (im a girl…not some perve :)
posted by Nicki on 5-10-2008 at 4:23 pm
Lisa Miceli,
Welcome back to earth. What planets did you visit during your trip last year?
les
posted by les on 5-10-2008 at 4:35 pm
Thanks for the history lesson; how many people out there can say that they knew how many people got married in the White House? Not many, that’s for sure.
posted by gnome on 5-10-2008 at 4:37 pm
I think it shows how unpretentious the Bush family is. Laura & George’s own wedding was a simple affair.
By the way I don’t think they let stupid people fly fighter jets.
posted by julie on 5-10-2008 at 4:43 pm
I, too, love this last year of the Bush presidency. I cannot, however, wait until next year, which I certainly will enjoy even more.
Whoever is elected, (Repulican, Democrat, small rodent) will certainly be more competant than the White House’s current occupant.
posted by Grace on 5-10-2008 at 4:44 pm
My uncle had lunch at the white house and met Laura Bush’s dog-that beats Hillary’s brothers wedding any day (I’d brag about that too if I had the chance!
I think President Bush is a decent man who isn’t afraid to stand up for the right stuff.
I’m glad I live in a country where I can still feely speak my mind.
We have more freedom than Iran or Canada; wow!
posted by sherry h on 5-10-2008 at 4:47 pm
Hey, all you politicos….you’re all “off topic”…..
Congratulations to Jenna Bush on the occasion of her wedding! I think all the trivia, about past presidential Children
is great!
posted by GC on 5-10-2008 at 5:17 pm
ok first off you can not relate his presidency to the wedding let his daughter have a happy wedding do not insult him because they are getting married allthough i do hate him and he does have one of the lowest approval ratings out of any president
Stephanie the interesting things is which most people still do not understand is 9/11 happened because od al quieda or however you spell it not iraq but then because of this we invaded and basicly destroyed iraq a lot of people do not notice this but think about it we hung sadam and took over his country because unrelated terrorists killed innocent civilians.
We are also not in this war because os terrorism allthough thats what the media and the f@*%#! up government are saying because they will never admit that 1 we are there because we can be think about it the us has a hirtory of taking over weaker countries for no reason and 2 because they do have a ton of oil allthough its nto working because the price if gas is going way up
James they are not getting married at the white house they are getting married in texas really the only state that still supports bush anyone think that is just a coincidence?
as always have a lovley day
your comment corrector Justin Case
p.s. ghastly geezer “For your FYI” ever wonder what fyi stands for FYI= For Your Information you do not put for your before fyi oh and p.s.= post script you generaly put it after the closing which yours did not have so it would not be p.s.
posted by Justin Case on 5-10-2008 at 5:19 pm
i think that its her own busniss where she got married at and bush is stupid and and so is hillary and i like obma and he is smart and not STUPID like bush and hillary and no im not black and thats all i got to say about bush and hillary>>>>>>>>>>>love mily
posted by mily on 5-10-2008 at 5:22 pm
May I remind all that most of you are “off toopic”…
Congratulations are in order, for Jenna and her new husband…and the whole Bush Family…
Thank you, David, for all the wonderful trivia, concerning White House Weddings!
posted by Gail Callicott on 5-10-2008 at 5:22 pm
Just wanted to put my 2 cents in. In the first place, much as liberals are convinced they have convinced the rest of the population of their leftist propaganda, they need to understand there are independent thinking individuals in this country who have simply not fallen for the media’s bent on everything going on.
What endures me most to the Bush presidency is his faith in the God of the universe. I’ve not necessarily agreed with every decision but believing that a man who has a relationship with that God is calling what shots he can, has made me thankful for a Bush in the White House.
Our other choice would have been an Al Gore in the White House, Oh perish the thought! We would all be living in tents and cooking over fire wood. How would you like that? Oh, that’s right, we couldn’t cook because all the food would be protected.
And for those who aren’t quite getting it. Jenna’s wedding took place today in Crawford, Texas–NOT the White House. As this was her decision I appauld her for her insight. I think it shows she values her Crawford roots much more than snob hill.
There seems to be a little thing missing in modern day liberalism, it’s called “class”. Some things are just in good taste and some things aren’t!
posted by Crod on 5-10-2008 at 5:23 pm
For “ghastly geezer”…your comments might be more effective if you learned how to spell before posting them. Just confirms my believe in how ignorant people are being brainwashed!
posted by Sarah on 5-10-2008 at 5:58 pm
Best of luck to the happy couple!
posted by Becca on 5-10-2008 at 6:28 pm
i love how all of you say to get a life when you just spent half an hour reading the article and then everyones comments. Slightly hypocritical if you ask me. David H. im glad you could have a mature and rationalized response to all the crap everyone has posted in this forum. Bravo and good luck in the future.
posted by Joe B. on 5-10-2008 at 6:51 pm
Why didn’t you include Linda B. Johnson Robb?
posted by Karen on 5-10-2008 at 7:23 pm
I am DEFINITELY not a Bush supporter. But his daughter’s wedding is a nice thing for his family. He seems to be a decent father, if an incompetent president. He could have demanded Jenna & Barbera volunteer for service in Iraq since it was such a “noble” cause. It was always about oil & Halliburton. But let Jenna have her day- she’ll get divorced within five years, like most Americans. Hey she could have turned out worse: one of those perverted lesbian communistic liberals who like Obama or Hillary! lol OBAMA ‘08 YES WE CAN!! Take the country BACK from Bush/McCain & their nightmares!
posted by David on 5-10-2008 at 7:26 pm
Do you mean to tell me that the tax payers footed the bill for Hillary’s brother’s wedding? He couldn’t afford to rent his own place? Hmmmm….. sounds fishy to me. No wonder there are so many Dems in Obama’s camp.
posted by Diane on 5-10-2008 at 7:29 pm
really i think jenna bush is pretty and really ppl this is talking about hte white house weddings not freakin gay iraq and her dad seriously ppl get a grip!!!!!! geez and shut up about freaking “candice” and “christian” gosh really! there are a lot of serious things ppl dont even think about like animals being abused ppl starving ppl dieing!! geez shut up and stop messaging if ur gonna fight
posted by Madalyn on 5-10-2008 at 7:29 pm
enjoy your wedding day more blessings to come and best wishes….God bless!
posted by kharen on 5-10-2008 at 7:30 pm
Its immoral to use – even a bit – of taxpayers’ money….. ooops was it Iraqi oil money?
posted by Socrates on 5-10-2008 at 8:14 pm
Way to go Ghastly Geezer! I coundn’t agree more! These people don’t have a clue about what America is all about. Let them go live in a third world country for awhile. K.
posted by kathy atwell on 5-10-2008 at 8:14 pm
I agree with Christian, you can say whatever you wanna but he is not one of those blinded by patriotism (-its fanatical side) people who eat all what politicians tell em, use your minds people instead of using empty media slogans because it shows how not thinking creatures you are
most of you have no clue where Iraq/Afghanistan is and why this war is going on there, to fight terrorists? since when terrorists are a nation and have a country?? are you going to attach each country where there are terrorists? cool, also don’t forget about all those connections Bush has/had with those ‘bad’ people
anyway its better to talk about the wedding here not about politics
posted by Christian T rules ;) on 5-10-2008 at 8:31 pm
I agree it should be a crime our guys and girls are off fighting an illegal war and the Bushs are throwing a fancy wedding. OH but thanks for the $600.00, but opps! my cost of living went up at least $6000.00 this year. Bush should put his money where his mouth is and send your daughters to war.
posted by ANGELA on 5-10-2008 at 8:31 pm
baha you guys are all argueing over a wedding. you guys are sad.
congrats to her and her wedding.
posted by justin on 5-10-2008 at 8:32 pm
Yup– this article is incorrect. Tony Rodham was married in the Rose Garden on May 30, 1994.
posted by Heather on 5-10-2008 at 8:38 pm
I am not a big Bush fan, and for those that complain about him being president well there is nothing we can do about it now. All we can do is deal with it for now, and vote for the person you want in November. I have noticed that the majority of people that complain about how things are going in the country and the world didn’t vote when they had the chance. And I believe that if you didn’t vote then you can’t complain because you can’t get what you want without any effort.
Now as far as this article I enjoyed it very much. And who people marry is up to them not us. We are not the one’s living their life. And a president’s child’s wedding has nothing to do with their presidency. They are just one of many brides and grooms in the world getting married. And with that I say congradulations, as well as I hope that your marriage is full of love and passion for each other and life.
posted by Jennifer on 5-10-2008 at 9:07 pm
I total agree with you James!! You people should be ashamed of yourself. all leaders are choosen by God, therefore they should be given respect they deserve. Secondary, as parent he should be congratulated not insulted.
posted by nana on 5-10-2008 at 9:19 pm
CJ you said a mouthful….Bush is just a rich SPOILED brat and once again Daddy got him this job just like all the rest. He is running the country into the poor house and he’ll just walk away and get his retirement and benefits for the rest of his life (at our expense of course). We’ll Never stop paying for his mistakes….He has to be one of the Worst presidents yet.
posted by Larry on 5-10-2008 at 10:28 pm
“Just for your FYI…did you know that Hazballa supports OBAMA?? Read it for yourself…for anyone who refuses the truth–may the day of reckoning be his in the future.”
Hmm.. maybe someone named Haz Balla does support Obama, but I think you were trying to refer to the organization Hezbollah, and they don’t support obama, or probably any of the candidates, but, considering they are more intelligent than you, they probably would analyze the situation and discern that Obama, is the best choice for president, but since they probably think all Americans are trash, they don’t really care.
posted by AnalyticalRhetoric on 5-10-2008 at 11:29 pm
For all you people posting this article is about a wedding. But for you political president bashers I have a question. Have you been safe from terrorism since 9/11? Thats what the wars are about. Bush inherited something Clinton should have done. They were blowing up our embassies and he knew where Bin Laden was. He fired 2 missles then got on yv and said well we missed and then quit. If he had stood up for what was right the twin towers would still be there. Oh yea, then you would say he was a terible president because he started a war. All you liberals answer this. There was a world wide pole conducted on who they would like to see as president. All the muslim countries wanted Obama/Osama. Ask yourself why. Isn’t it muslims that want to see Israel and America destroyed? The majority of the latin world wanted Clinton and the rest and the free world wanted McCain. Reckon why? Now for the economy. This is a capitalistic society. The model and envy of the world. In a capitalistic society capitalism rules not the government. Every time the government gets involved in the economy it will give the appearance of helping for awhile but when that wears off it only has made things worse. That what you call socialism. Now look at what happenened to Russia and the Eastern Block. Liberalism is a form (the beginning of) socialism. Now look at the candidates. Do you really want that? Wake up.
McCain in 08
posted by Michael O on 5-11-2008 at 4:08 am
Karen, you asked why I didn’t include Lynda Bird Johnson’s wedding to Chuck Robb, at the White House in 1967.
Fair question. The answer is that I was being arbitrary. I had limited myself to writing about five weddings. I picked the Nixon wedding over the Johnson wedding because Tricia Nixon was the last (to date) wedding of a child of a president married in the White House. I also liked the tie-in with Alice Roosevelt Longworth.
I also left out the daughter of President Grant, who was married at the White House. Maybe I’ll have an opportunity to write about the others at the next wedding. :)
Gail C. and Maddie, thank you for your kind words.
posted by David H. on 5-11-2008 at 11:02 am
Wait, wait, we’re forgetting the immigration issue…..because it too relates to the subject of this article just like the Iraq war. Sheesh people, find an article that at least bears some semblance to your arguments.
posted by Mike in Tucson on 5-11-2008 at 11:15 am
How in the crap did this forum originally meant to be about presidential weddings run into the gutter with a f*%$in’ debate over how the president is runing the country. And besides, think people, he’s going to be out in less than a year like it or not, so this is a ridiculously stupid debate over finished buisness. Any other ranters who want to ruin this forum over presidential weddings by getting off topic, shove it back in your pie hole because we don’t want to hear it!
posted by DanTheMan on 5-11-2008 at 3:47 pm
Lets see here:
Jena Bush is getting married in Crawford
and the title of this thread is:
“5 Memorable White House Weddings”
It does appear the author was Off Topic in the first paragraph…
posted by Sparky the clown on 5-12-2008 at 1:47 pm
“Bush should put his money where his mouth is and send your daughters to war.”
Well, first of all there are no parents in this country who FORCE their kids to join the military. People join the military by CHOICE. And Barbara & Jenna decided to do something else with their lives. So the arguement is stupid.
#2: Jenna was gorgeous for her wedding and I hope nothing but the best for her and her husband.
#3: No matter who wins in November, we’re screwed. All 3 candidates suck. But, if the Democrats want to be the ones to take the hit for the shiat hitting the fan, then I’m all for that. Maybe we’ll get some decent candidates in 2012, like a REAL conservative or even a libertarian. It might be better for the Republican party in the long run to let Naive Newbie Obama win.
posted by Lisa on 5-15-2008 at 11:37 am
Michael O, for the record, in the most recent Reader’s Digest poll, every country in the world except the US chose Obama. And then the US chose Obama! Thank goodness I was able to vote for him to help solidify our country again after the messy quagmire Bush is leaving behind.
posted by Robbie on 11-27-2008 at 8:10 pm