Will the "Conversation with George W. Bush" event at Calgary Telus Conv. Ctre.

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RandyB

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Today was the first I heard of it so while I'm sure it will be in the news some place tomorrow I don't think it will be any kind of earth shattering, stop the presses, event. In fact, if the Flames are playing anywhere tonight I would think they will get more ink, especially if they lose.
 
Here's the CALGARY HERALD's take on the 1,500 plate event ($400 contribution) - - Tuesday afternoon

In his first speech since leaving the White House, former U.S. President George W. Bush defended free trade and free markets, railed against isolationism, and told a friendly Calgary audience that Canada should be America's major supplier of oil.

Bush, emphasizing that he was not criticizing President Barack Obama, cautioned against too much government involvement in the current economic downturn.

"It's the risk takers, not the government, that is going to pull us out of this recession. My message to policy makers is don't substitute government for the market place. Don't become protectionist. I'm a free trader to the core."

As protestors outside carried signs urging Bush to be tried as a war criminal, the former president hinted that incarcerating and interrogating suspected terrorists without trial at Guantanamo was the right thing to do.

"If an enemy is coming into your country, shouldn't you find out why?"

Bush's message was popular among the crowd of 1,500, who paid a minimum $400 plate.

"This is my maiden voyage. I can't think of a better place to give it than Calgary, Canada," Bush told the invitation-only crowd of business and oil executives, who gave him a standing ovation when introduced and interrupted him frequently with applause.

It took two hours to clear the guests through security. Each ticket holder was asked to empty pockets and purses, remove their jackets, and were individually patted down before being scanned with hand-held metal detectors.

Spotted in the crowd were businessmen Fred Mannix, Paul Vickers, Frank King, Murray Smith and Ralph Scurfield, former premier Ralph Klein, politicians Lee Richardson and Ted Morton, country singer Paul Brandt.

They dined on spinach salad, chicken breast and red wine.

Bush said his comment were not meant as an attack on Obama.

"He was not my first choice as president, but when he won, I knew it was good for the United States of America," Bush said. "I want the president to succeed. I love my country more than I love politics. I'm not going to spend my time criticizing him. It's time for the former president to tap dance off the stage. My purpose here today is not to criticize the president. He deserves my silence. If he wants my help, he can pick up the phone and call me."

Genial and often self deprecating, Bush said he wasn't concerned with making unpopular decisions.

"I didn't make a lot of new friends. I didn't need to. I got a lot of friends in Texas."
 
Will the "Conversation with George W. Bush" event at Calgary Telus Conv. Ctre.

be big event in news & Media? The $1,000 per plate event - dinner is his first Fundraiser as an Ex-President beyond friendly Dallas environs - - what's the mood in that region of Canada ? ?

from CALGARY HERALD story-coverage last month

Bush will share his “thoughts on his eight momentous years in the Oval Office” and will discuss “the challenges facing the world in the 21st century,” according to the event invitation.

Invites to the event, which feature a profile shot of Bush’s right side, began to circulate in Calgary at the end of last week.

Someone familiar with the president’s schedule has confirmed that Bush “has a number of events in the pipeline in different venues, both in the U.S. and internationally.”

Kelli Wight, a board member with Republicans Abroad Canada, says that Bush’s Calgary speech will likely be the first of many.

“He’s going to be doing a lot of these speeches,” she says.

“That’s how he’s going to make money.”

Though event organizer Andy McCreath won’t comment on Bush’s fee, the ticket price or the number of invitees, he says he expects roughly 1,500 people to attend.
 
Today was the first I heard of it so while I'm sure it will be in the news some place tomorrow I don't think it will be any kind of earth shattering, stop the presses, event. In fact, if the Flames are playing anywhere tonight I would think they will get more ink, especially if they lose.
 
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