A series of intimate behind-the-scenes photos aboard Air Force One have
revealed the moment George W. Bush proudly showed off his artwork to
Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama – and they look impressed.
Other images reveal him sharing a joke with the president and casually
chatting ahead of dinner as they flew to South Africa for Nelson
Mandela’s memorial service.
The luxury aircraft hosted a political reunion on Monday, as the two
Presidents and three first ladies – Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and
Hillary Clinton – were on board.
The Obamas retired to the President’s office and regular cabin at the
front of the plane while former Secretary of State Clinton was given
free reign of the senior staff’s cabin. Bush and his wife Laura were
given the medical suite. See more photos below:
The former president has been perfecting his painting skills since
leaving office, famously producing colourful images of horses, dogs and
still life scenes after taking lessons from a local artist. And during
the long flight to South Africa, he took the opportunity to show the
country’s leading ladies his latest work on his iPad.
He is pictured with Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Senior Advisor
Valerie Jarrett, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice, Attorney
General Eric Holder and former First Lady Laura Bush.
Rice looks particularly impressed – gasping as he scrolls through the
images – while Clinton grins and Holder leans over the table to get a
closer look.
In the images taken by White House photographer Pete Souza, Obama is
also pictured grinning alongside Bush as they board the plane for South
Africa.
In a more serious photograph, the president is pictured editing his
speech for the memorial with Deputy National Security Advisor Ben
Rhodes.
Ahead of the journey, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the Obamas
were looking forward to the political reunion.
‘It’s a very, I think, enjoyable experience certainly for the president
and first lady,’ he said. ‘And they’re both grateful to be able to have
former president and first lady, former secretary of state on board.’
After landing, the Obamas were stuck in traffic and arrived at the
memorial half an hour late – but were met with applause when they
finally entered the stadium.
In his emotional tribute on Tuesday, Obama called the South African
leader a ‘giant of history’.
‘To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk of life –
the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us,’ he said.
‘His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your
dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your
democracy is his cherished legacy.’
He continued: ‘Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas;
the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those
you agree with, but those who you don’t.’
He was also pictured sharing his condolences with Mandela’s widow Graca
Machel following the speech.
But the trip didn’t go without its hitches; Obama was pictured shaking
the hand of Cuban President Raul Castro at the service – sparking anger
that he warmly greeted a ‘murderer’.
Members of Congress, including Florida Republican Senator and son of
Cuban immigrants Marco Rubio, expressed their anger on Tuesday.
‘If the president was going to shake his hand, he should have asked him
about those basic freedoms Mandela was associated with that are denied
in Cuba,’ Rubio said.
Obama also sparked annoyance when he posed for a ‘selfie’ photograph
with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish leader Helle
Thorning-Schmidt.
Some viewers criticized the pose, calling it inappropriate behaviour at
an event to remember the life of the anti-apartheid hero, who died last
week aged 95.
As the trio posed for the snap, Michelle sat alongside her husband
looking somewhat stony faced.
Following the service, the Obamas caught up with former President Bill
Clinton and his daughter Chelsea, as well as U2 singer Bono, before
heading back to Air Force One.
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