G. W. Bush's secret speech in the Cayman Islands

[Tricky]

Is there a waiter out there with a smartphone? Gosh I hope so, 'cause I'd sure like to hear what our former President had to say during a presentation in that offshore cash haven, the Cayman Islands. Yes, ol' Dubya, who, for obvious reasons, has been careful not to be seen or heard during the recent election is fine talking to a bunch of wealthy investors provided that no reporters are allowed and that there is a total blackout of anything said. I can't imagine why he isn't willing to go on record. Maybe it's because he wants to avoid another embarassing "47 percent" rant.

But I think it is interesting that our most recent ex-president participates in the election process in no way, but is perfectly willing to participate in a conference of rich people discussing how to protect their money from being fairly taxed in the US. Provided, of course, his remarks never see the light of day.

Come on, Secret Waiter. Do your thing to bring lying plutocrats into the open.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Cayman. Sorry.

 

[Tricky]

Cayman. Sorry.

Oops. Fixed it. Thanks.

 

[Metullus]

But I think it is interesting that our most recent ex-president participates in the election process in no way, but is perfectly willing to participate in a conference of rich people discussing how to protect their money from being fairly taxed in the US. Provided, of course, his remarks never see the light of day.

It is not possible, is it, that he simply is doing what many of his predecessors have done - refraining from interjecting himself into the presidential campaign. This is a courtesy that most ex-presidents in my lifetime have extended to their successors, with the notable exceptions of Mr. Carter and Mr. Clinton.

 

[maxpower1227]

As horrible as he was as president, I just can't see W going on a cynical, misanthropic rant like Romney did. I see him as more of a well-meaning-but-dangerously-ignorant dimwit and not a sociopath like Romney and Ryan are.

 

[Cain]

If Bush speaks out, he will likely hurt Romney's chances.
So he's not speaking out.
Makes sense.

Giving a talk to rich people in the Cayman's gets him paid.
Leaking Bush's comments to non-paymasters does not benefit him.
So he's stopping it from happening.
Makes sense.

More than Bush, Clinton and Carter are spotlight-whores. Now maybe a former President should be doing more in his power to benefit Americans and the world. Bush would rather line his own pockets while doing no harm to his party.

 

[Alferd_Packer]

Cayman. Sorry.

What was it originally? That secret hideaway, the Gayman Island?

 

[Tricky]

It is not possible, is it, that he simply is doing what many of his predecessors have done - refraining from interjecting himself into the presidential campaign. This is a courtesy that most ex-presidents in my lifetime have extended to their successors, with the notable exceptions of Mr. Carter and Mr. Clinton.

And Reagan.

But I think that a former president who continues to play a role in government is an admirable thing. Both Carter and Clinton (and Ms. Clinton) have continued to serve their country both as cheerleaders and as diplomats. Even G H W Bush has done this to some extent, especially in relief efforts. I don't even mind that Cheney has been vocal in his post-Veep career. That shows (to me) that you continue to care about yoru country and will wield whatever influence you have to move it in the correct way. Giving secret speeches to unidentified rich friends (who may not even be American) doesn't fall under this category. It shows an interest in cashing in. Sort of like how Reagan's first post-presidency act was to take $2 million for a speech to Japan.

 

[Baylor]

I was there! And I did record it! Haven't uploaded it yet, but here's what was said.

GW Bush: I think that uh......... uh........... I think that a lot of you folks misunderestimate the tax codes.

In all seriousness, I'm not the least bit interested in what Bush has to say. He is extremely dimwitted, narrowminded and unintestering. He has absolutley no explanatory skills. He can't communicate his thoughts effectively so I don't think it'd give much insight into any elitists' machinations.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

And Reagan.

So aside from Clinton, Carter and Reagan (and we can leave out JFK and Nixon both of whom for very different reasons were in no position to participate in campaigns after they left office), it's been a custom among all recent ex-presidents to absent themselves from presidential campaigns.

This puts me in mind of the fact that we're on Standard Time rather than Daylight Savings Time for less than half the year, but we still call it "Standard".

 

[brazenlilraisin]

What was it originally? That secret hideaway, the Gayman Island?

No, merely spelled plural rather than singular.

 

[R.Mackey]

As horrible as he was as president, I just can't see W going on a cynical, misanthropic rant like Romney did. I see him as more of a well-meaning-but-dangerously-ignorant dimwit and not a sociopath like Romney and Ryan are.

True. But there's another danger... Once word gets out that any knucklehead, even W, can actually be a successful hypercapitalist corporate raider, it'll take the last petals of the bloom off of Romney's rose. His whole image at this point is as a successful genius businessman, whose mere presence will catalyze the economy.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Bush: I bet you're wondering why I called you all here today. It's because I want to tell you something important, something that will revolutionarize your business and put food on your family more betterer than before. It's an opportunity, an opportunity for greatness. By becoming members you will receive discounts on many fine products which you in turn set up other people to sell. The income potential is unlimited! All you have to do is manage your downstream team and you get a cut of everything they sell! It's so easy, you'd be crazy not to!! And you can earn prizes for meeting your goals. Betty G. was an ordinary housewife and she makes $6000 a week--and so can you.

 

[JeanFromBNA]

Nice attempt at Spin, NBC. Since the attendees paid upward of US $3,900 to attend the two day conference, why would they do so if they could simply wait for reporters to print the details? And how would the conference generate nefarious partners like KPMG, Deutsche Bank, and 20 other investment advisory firms if the information was simply given away the next day?

There is obviously something evil, like capitalism, going on here.

 

[carlitos]

W is said to be a really good speaker. I work with some very liberal New Yorkers and Europeans, and they saw him last year and loved it. What's the difference if it's in the Caymans? All of these guys speechify at conferences. I saw Bill Clinton at something this year. He's still pretty slick.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

What's the difference if it's in the Caymans?

Well one significance (not specific to the Caymans) that's been mentioned is that it's really far away from the Romney campaign right before Election Day.

 

[SezMe]

Nice attempt at Spin, NBC. Since the attendees paid upward of US $3,900 to attend the two day conference, why would they do so if they could simply wait for reporters to print the details? And how would the conference generate nefarious partners like KPMG, Deutsche Bank, and 20 other investment advisory firms if the information was simply given away the next day?

There is obviously something evil, like capitalism, going on here.

That might wash if ALL the speakers are blacked out. Are they?

 

[SezMe]

Regarding the OP, Tricky, Bush is just carrying the tradition he established for his testimony to the 911 hearings.

 

[carlitos]

Well one significance (not specific to the Caymans) that's been mentioned is that it's really far away from the Romney campaign right before Election Day.

Good point. I like that he's not out campaigning for anyone, but that's just my opinion. I like ex-presidents to stay out of it.

But...Tricky makes it sound like Bush is in there scheming with tax evaders.

But I think it is interesting that our most recent ex-president participates in the election process in no way, but is perfectly willing to participate in a conference of rich people discussing how to protect their money from being fairly taxed in the US. Provided, of course, his remarks never see the light of day.

Come on, Secret Waiter. Do your thing to bring lying plutocrats into the open.

I'm sure it's just a standard speech and Q&A for his fee.

 

[JeanFromBNA]

That might wash if ALL the speakers are blacked out. Are they?

There's nothing about it on the conference website, but the FAQ does state that the conference sessions and dinners are for attendees only, and recording and photographs are forbidden. This is SOP for most conferences I've been to. I would think that this is also more likely when there's a speaker that requires a higher level of security than your average economist or motivational speaker.