Josh Earnest: Bush Was ‘Not Only Giving Voice to Traditional Values’ But Also ‘American Values’

EXCERPT:

EARNEST: "What's striking about this speech, Andrea, is he’s not just giving voice to traditional Republican values, he’s giving voice to traditional American values. And the thing that his speech reminded me of is that President Obama traveled to Selma, Alabama to mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Selma. That was the scene of President Obama giving one of the most powerful speeches of his presidency. There is that iconic image of him walking across that bridge with John Lewis. But do you know who else was there? President George W. Bush. There were not many Republicans in that crowd. But he thought it was important not because of Republicans in that crowd but because there were a lot of Americans in that crowd. What that historic moment reminded him, even President George W. Bush, is that this is an American theme that people who love their country can change it, and people who are not in power can stand up for what’s right and the kinds of universal values that have made our country great. That’s something President Obama understood. That's something Congressman John Lewis understands, and it’s certainly something that President George W. Bush understands."