Whatever your politics, George Bush’s “Waaaarrr Eagle” in 2003 was undeniably badass, or at least it was in 2004 when it heralded Georgia’s swift, unconditional surrender to Auburn and its F-16’s.
I’d like to think he was taking a nod from the Great Communicator, who during a 1984 campaign speech at the University of Alabama insulted the Evil Empire right to its face.
From the Oct. 18, 1984 edition of The Plainsman:
Reagan’s address dealt with the work his administration has done to lower inflation and what he wants to do if reelected. The president also talked about some of his past encounters with the late Paul “Bear” Bryant. Reagan talked about Bama’s win last week over Penn State, and then compared his economic policies to a “rolling tide.”
Reagan also said that one team from each state is usually known for its football and right now he said, “That team is those Auburn Tigers.” The president was booed for making such a comment. [click to enlarge].
Related: Bo homers one for the Gipper / ‘The Burger That Made Auburn Famous.‘
Originally posted Sept. 27, 2010.
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George H. W. Bush also spoke on the Auburn campus. He was the keynote speaker for SIMUN (Auburn’s Model United Nations conference) at some point in the late 1970s, as he was gearing up for the 1980 Republican presidential nominating campaign (which he lost to Reagan). Bill Bennett was the speaker one year, as well.
And then there were the two visits by Dan Quayle, about which many are still scratching their heads. In 1988, Quayle asked us (in between “War Eagle!”s and “Go Tigers!”es), “Do you want to go back to malaise and gas lines?” At which point my friend turned to me and asked, “What did he say about Malaysian gas lines?!”
I remember John Glenn coming to campus in the winter of 1984, Van. He was campaigning at that time for the Democratic nomination (of whom Walter Mondale was the ultimate victor). He went to the basketball game that night (I forget who we were playing… so shoot me, I’m getting old) and I remember him shaking hands outside of B-E after that game. One of those hands was mine!
Hey guys, we are all too young to remember that on March 30, 1939 FDR visited and spoke at Auburn, then API, while visiting the state. The details are noted in The American Presidency Project from UC Santa Barbara. Those details and speech can be found at the following: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=15732
So, I you still get this thread: FDR was in Auburn first! But that was before all of us were born.
Also, that A-hole Dick, Cheney, spoke at a commencement address a few years back. While in office. He was gross and generic. Also, probably, evil.
**all commas in the appropriate places.
That a-hole, Dick Cheney, kept your a-hole safe for 8 years from Islamo Fascists, you a-hole!
Gerald Ford was at Auburn too — I actually stood next to him and got his autograph!
I tried it one time and it came back saying I was full of shit and to drink more pepsi
George W. Bush’s visit and “War Eagle” was in 2002, when Bob Riley was running for Governor the first time.
Wow, that’s cool that someone found that old piece! Thanks for letting me know about this. That was a fun trip, even though it was to Tuscaloosa.
Hey Wes.. kiss MY a hole.