Duck, duck, goose... duck!

The Nation's Dual Political Dynasties Are Growing Closer Than Arm's Length

The Times: When the Bushes and Clintons held hands before 15,000 mourners at Coretta Scott King's funeral on Tuesday, it looked like a prayerful moment in the life of the nation. But as almost anyone watching America's two leading political families knew, underneath the tranquil image was a drama of ambition, rivalry, love and alliance that could shape the 2008 presidential election.

The scene, a riveting tableau in the six-hour celebration of Mrs. King's life and the political power of black America, offered complex layers of interconnecting relationships: father and son, husband and wife, president and former president, adversary turned ally and first lady turned senator turned probable presidential candidate.

It was one of the most public manifestations to date of the odd friendship and mutual need of two dynasties that, on the surface at least, have almost nothing in common. But as President Bush put it in an interview with CBS News last month, "Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton." Mr. Bush made the remark in a telling exchange with Bob Schieffer, who said, "Well, you know, if Senator Clinton becomes president."

"There we go," Mr. Bush said.

"Maybe we'll see a day," Mr. Schieffer continued.

"Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton," Mr. Bush responded.

It's a fascinating piece, that goes on to detail exactly how deep the terribly unlikely friendship between Bush Senior and Clinton Senior has grown.

It's heartening to read about--definitely a throwback to an earlier time in Washington, where after office hours Democrats and Republicans retired to the Georgetown parties and salons of the city to talk and socialize, building ties that often grew into policy.

Nowadays, the lobbyists seem to have helped poisoned the well, along with intractable interest groups like the Christian Right. It's a sad state of affairs when John McCain is celebrated for actually having friends across the aisle.

So here's to Bush I and Clinton I (?)--two decent people, men who love politics and seem to bring out the wonk in each other.

In the meantime, associates of former President Bush and Mr. Clinton say that the two have moved beyond their road show for tsunami and hurricane relief into a genuine friendship and that they have told members of each of their parties to stop complaining about the bond.

In June, Mr. Clinton stayed with Mr. Bush at the former president's retreat in Kennebunkport, Me., where they played golf and raced in Mr. Bush's speedboat. They have also gotten together about a dozen times in the past year for meetings, television tapings and private meals.

The former President Bush has also told friends how much he appreciates Mr. Clinton's deference to him. Last year, when the two men were headed for a four-day trip to the tsunami area, Mr. Clinton, now 59, insisted that Mr. Bush, now 81, take the bedroom on the Air Force plane on the flight over.

"I said, 'No, come on, you go in there, and I'll take the next leg,' " Mr. Bush told Time magazine in December. " 'No, no,' he said. I guess he wanted to play cards all night. But nevertheless, that means something to me. I'm older, and it was a very great courtesy. So the relationship is fun for me. And you have this feeling of doing something important, doing something bigger than ourselves."

May, 2004 photo of Bush and Clinton at Washington's World War II Memorial by Doug Mills in The New York Times; click here for this and other photos.