April 23, 2012
By JON MARK BEILUE
On one hand, they are just two men, both 65 and retired, one from Arkansas, one from Texas, who are making a visit to the Amarillo area this week. But these are retirees only in the sense they no longer hold the world’s most powerful office.
Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, U.S. presidents No. 42 and No. 43 and half of the living former commanders-in-chief, will make appearances in Canyon and Palo Duro Canyon over a three-day span.
Previously, the shortest time between current or former presidents making a local stop was two years — George H.W. Bush in 2006 followed by Clinton in 2008.
“That’s pretty rare,” said Dennis Simon, professor of political science at Southern Methodist University, future home of the George W. Bush Library.
“I don’t know how that was pulled off because their calendars are pretty full, but that’s cool,” he said. “I hope the people of Amarillo take advantage and can be part of the show.”
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