George W. Bush explains his fondness for Michelle Obama
By Deena
Zaru, CNN
Washington (CNN)Former President George W. Bush and Michelle
Obama are surprisingly close considering their political differences, and the
43rd president credits the former first lady's appreciation for his sense of
humor as a key reason.
The
unlikely pair have often been photographed together during formal events. When
Obama embraced Bush at the opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum
of African American History and Culture last September, the photo of their warm
interaction went viral.
"When
I saw her, it was a genuine expression of affection," Bush told People magazine as
he reflected on the moment. The interview was posted on Wednesday.
Former
first lady Laura Bush, former President George W. Bush, first lady Michelle
Obama and President Barack Obama attend the opening ceremony for the
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on
September 24, 2016, in Washington.
The
former President is back in the public eye to promote his new book, "Portraits of Courage," a
volume of his paintings of military veterans.
.
"She
kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I
immediately like," Bush said.
The
pair are often seated next to each other during events, including the
interfaith memorial service for the victims of the Dallas police shooting in
July, last year's funeral for former first lady Nancy Reagan and the 2015
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights march in
Selma, Alabama.
Former
President George W. Bush speaks with first lady Michelle Obama during an event
marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches at
the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 2015.
"I
can't remember where else I've sat next to her, but I probably have a few
wisecracks and she seemed to like it OK," Bush said. "I needle her a
little bit and around her, I'm fairly lighthearted. (The Obamas) are around
serious people all the time and we just took to each other."
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