Presidents Bush & Clinton Having Fun on "13" in Maine
Photo Credit: R.E. King

U.S. President George H.W. Bush (fondly known as "41") and President Bill Clinton (the 42nd President of the United States) shared 18 holes of golf on Tuesday, June 28th at Cape Arundel Golf Course in Kennebunkport, Maine. The two presidents continue to put their partisanship aside in favor of doing good for the world, and in favor of building a strong friendship.

The first evidence of this was when they came together to lead the U.S. effort to provide Tsunami Relief in Asia.

Their efforts this past year have obviously led to a deeper, personal friendship.

On Monday, President and Former First Lady, George and Barbara Bush invited President Clinton to their summer retreat at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport after his appearance in South Portland for a book signing of My Life.

President Clinton's memoir is now an easier summertime read.

As of Monday, the book Clinton's publishers first released last June is now available in paperback.

Earlier this month, the former president's audio book of My Life won the top Audio Publishers Award.

Jim Nantz Tees Off at Cape Arundel's 14th Hole

A trip to Walker's Point is incomplete for any golf-loving friend of the Bushes without a round or two with the former President.

Cape Arundel Golf Course in Kennebunkport is George and Barbara's summer course of choice.

The semi-private club is no more than ten minutes from their compound. Their favorite course is run by the Bushes good friend and golf professional Ken Raynor.

Lucky for Clinton that another golf lover was visiting the Bushes at the same time Clinton was in New England.

On Tuesday, CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz rounded out the four-some between Bush, Clinton and Raynor.

Jim Nantz, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Ken Raynor - June 28th 2005

Nantz is a frequent visitor to the Bush's summer retreat on the Maine coast.

Likewise, this was not President Clinton's first visit to Walker's Point.

Clinton first came to Maine with other governors in 1983 when Bush was vice president.

When Clinton went to Washington in the '80s to represent Democratic governors at the White House he had the opportunity to build upon his relationship with Bush.

Today, Clinton and Bush are inspirational examples of political foes who have been able to rise above their differences for a great cause.

President Bush's son, President George W. (fondly known as "43") put the two former presidents in charge of a fund-raising effort to assist those in need who were devastated by the results of the tsunami on December 26th 2004.

Together, they have raised over $12 million in funds for tsunami reconstruction in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

If you are interested in contributing to the Bush-Clinton Houston Tsunami Fund, The Great Houston Community Foundation website makes it easy to donate by credit card at:

Please send checks payable to:

Bush Clinton Fund
Post Office Box 56369
Houston, TX 77256

All funds will be distributed to organizations selected and sanctioned by the White House that have operations on the ground in the affected areas.

Bush & Clinton Tee-Off in Maine

On Tuesday, Bush and Clinton took time out from their fast-paced game to speak with reporters.

President Bush said:

We found that when we traveled abroad, people said this couldn't have happened in their country. The equivalent of a Republican and a Democrat -- this never would happen.

Well, it doesn't have to be that way.

You can feel strongly about your principles, and we do, and we differ on a lot of issues, but that's not what tsunami relief was about and it's not what life ought to be about.

All around the world and in this country, as President Clinton has been on tour promoting his book, people question the authenticity of his friendship with President Bush.

When asked "Is this deal between you and Bush real?", President Clinton responded:

If people are mad at each other they never hear each other, and therefore they can't figure out who's right and who's wrong, and where the compromise comes because they have so much personally at stake.

I hope this is good for America and the rest of the world.

Clinton, however, did not miss the opportunity to joke around.

He said, "If he beats me too bad, I'm back to partisanship the next day."

Nantz said Bush, 81, nearly shot his age and Clinton broke 80 at The Cape Arundel Golf Club.

Nantz said, they scored symbolically: "What a powerful message to the rest of the world to see those two together and sharing a good time."

Before partisan differences could get the better of the two, Bush treated Clinton to a ride on his three-engine speed boat called Fidelity III.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "putting the 'fun' in fund-raising" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

'My Life' Audiobook by Bill Clinton Wins Top Audio Publishers Award

The Top Ten Best Communicators of 2004 - Selected by Communications Expert, Bert Decker