As all living presidents gather in Texas for today's dedication of the George W Bush Presidential Centre, two early front-runners for the 2016 presidential race are receiving fresh scrutiny – Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton.![]()
Two early front-runners for the 2016 presidential race are receiving fresh scrutiny – Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton.
It is called the world's most exclusive club, its current membership just five-strong. But when it convenes in Dallas on Thursday morning for the first time since early 2009, two others who could vie to be next to join its illustrious ranks will also be present.
All living presidents will gather on the campus of Southern Methodist University for today's dedication of the George W Bush Presidential Centre and Museum – their first meeting for more than four years.
But even as the celebration throws a spotlight back on Mr Bush's tumultuous eight years in office, two early front-runners for their 2016 presidential election are receiving fresh scrutiny.
For here, in their family roles, are Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state and early favourite for the Democrat mantle, and Jeb Bush, the ex-Florida governor whom many Republicans would like to see win their party's nomination.
They gave duelling speeches in Dallas on the eve of the centre's opening, fuelling speculation about their 2016 intentions.
Mrs Clinton was first lady from 1993 to 2001 during her husband Bill's presidency. And Mr Bush is both the son and brother of former presidents – his father George was president from 1989 to 1993 and his older sibling George W held the office from 2001 to 2009.
Those three former commanders-in-chief, who ran the country for 20 consecutive years, are in Dallas today, together with the incumbent, Barack Obama, and the oldest survivor of the group, Jimmy Carter (1977-81).
But in a country where the election cycle is never-ending, the presence of the prospective 2016 standard-bearers of two great political clans is eliciting inevitable buzz.
George W Bush himself added to the debate on Wednesday, urging his brother to run.
"He'd be a marvellous candidate if he chooses to do so," he said.
Jeb Bush addressed the World Affairs Council on Wednesday, a few hours before the ex-First Lady delivered the first paid speech of her life to a housing trade association.
Neither has declared their plans for 2016, but both have made clear that they are, in political parlance, exploring their options. Their family and supporters are already championing their causes however.
Mr Clinton has repeatedly made clear that he believes his wife would be an excellent president and should make a renewed White House campaign after her 2008 failure. And when George W Bush was asked in a C-SPAN interview this week about whether his younger brother should throw his hat into the ring, he said: "My first advice is run."
Jeb Bush certainly has money, connections and the experience of running a major US state, which also happens to be a key marginal in presidential elections. But he also has to deal with a family name that elicits fatigue among some voters and is viewed as toxic by others.
Indeed, if the new George W Bush centre and museum contributes to some restoration of the former president's battered legacy, it could only help his sibling's future prospects.
In his remarks to the World Affairs Council, the former Florida governor addressed two issues that are at the heart of his political agenda, urging the nation to change its immigration and education systems to ensure a robust American economy.
Mrs Clinton meanwhile embarked in her new and lucrative role on the paid speaking circuit on Wednesday night with a private talk to the spring meeting of the National Multi-Housing Council, which represents apartment builders, developers and lender.
In this new incarnation, she will of course have to be careful what she says, if she does indeed to run again for president. Every word and anecdote will be pored over in an era of portable devices mean that few closed speeches really are such.
Mrs Clinton has immediately vaulted into echelons of the country's best-paid speakers, expected to command about $200,000 an appearance through the Harry Walker Agency that represents her.
She has some way to go to match her husband's speaker circuit wealth. He has earned an estimated $89 million delivering talks since leaving office in 2001. He of course does not have to worry about how his words will influence his hopes at the ballot box.
It is called the world's most exclusive club, its current membership just five-strong. But when it convenes in Dallas on Thursday morning for the first time since early 2009, two others who could vie to be next to join its illustrious ranks will also be present.
All living presidents will gather on the campus of Southern Methodist University for today's dedication of the George W Bush Presidential Centre and Museum – their first meeting for more than four years.
But even as the celebration throws a spotlight back on Mr Bush's tumultuous eight years in office, two early front-runners for their 2016 presidential election are receiving fresh scrutiny.
For here, in their family roles, are Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state and early favourite for the Democrat mantle, and Jeb Bush, the ex-Florida governor whom many Republicans would like to see win their party's nomination.
They gave duelling speeches in Dallas on the eve of the centre's opening, fuelling speculation about their 2016 intentions.
Mrs Clinton was first lady from 1993 to 2001 during her husband Bill's presidency. And Mr Bush is both the son and brother of former presidents – his father George was president from 1989 to 1993 and his older sibling George W held the office from 2001 to 2009.
Those three former commanders-in-chief, who ran the country for 20 consecutive years, are in Dallas today, together with the incumbent, Barack Obama, and the oldest survivor of the group, Jimmy Carter (1977-81).
But in a country where the election cycle is never-ending, the presence of the prospective 2016 standard-bearers of two great political clans is eliciting inevitable buzz.
George W Bush himself added to the debate on Wednesday, urging his brother to run.
"He'd be a marvellous candidate if he chooses to do so," he said.
Jeb Bush addressed the World Affairs Council on Wednesday, a few hours before the ex-First Lady delivered the first paid speech of her life to a housing trade association.
Neither has declared their plans for 2016, but both have made clear that they are, in political parlance, exploring their options. Their family and supporters are already championing their causes however.
Mr Clinton has repeatedly made clear that he believes his wife would be an excellent president and should make a renewed White House campaign after her 2008 failure. And when George W Bush was asked in a C-SPAN interview this week about whether his younger brother should throw his hat into the ring, he said: "My first advice is run."
Jeb Bush certainly has money, connections and the experience of running a major US state, which also happens to be a key marginal in presidential elections. But he also has to deal with a family name that elicits fatigue among some voters and is viewed as toxic by others.
Indeed, if the new George W Bush centre and museum contributes to some restoration of the former president's battered legacy, it could only help his sibling's future prospects.
In his remarks to the World Affairs Council, the former Florida governor addressed two issues that are at the heart of his political agenda, urging the nation to change its immigration and education systems to ensure a robust American economy.
Mrs Clinton meanwhile embarked in her new and lucrative role on the paid speaking circuit on Wednesday night with a private talk to the spring meeting of the National Multi-Housing Council, which represents apartment builders, developers and lender.
In this new incarnation, she will of course have to be careful what she says, if she does indeed to run again for president. Every word and anecdote will be pored over in an era of portable devices mean that few closed speeches really are such.
Mrs Clinton has immediately vaulted into echelons of the country's best-paid speakers, expected to command about $200,000 an appearance through the Harry Walker Agency that represents her.
She has some way to go to match her husband's speaker circuit wealth. He has earned an estimated $89 million delivering talks since leaving office in 2001. He of course does not have to worry about how his words will influence his hopes at the ballot box.