The work of former President Bush

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete joined former President George W. Bush
 for an African first ladies summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Has anyone noticed that George W. Bush is a much better former President than he was a President?

I don’t need to re-recite the list of reasons why Bush will be remembered as one of our worst Presidents. Historians will take care of that job.

But because he is no longer President, his activities have not been as heavily publicized as they were when he occupied the White House.

For instance, while many of his Republican counterparts in Texas and other states have been working feverishly to deny health care to women, Bush has been striving just as diligently to fight cervical and breast cancer in Africa. Just a couple of weekends ago, George and Laura Bush renovated a cancer screening clinic in Zambia.

Not only that, his George W. Bush Institute created the African First Ladies Summit, which he attended a week ago today in Tanzania where he once again spoke out about the need for cancer screenings.

"You can inspire your husbands to do the right thing," he told eight African first ladies at the conference. "You can explain to your husbands that if they’re interested in earning the affection of the people, if they focus on women, they’re really going to be liked a lot."

And today, the former president once again spoke out in favor of sensible immigration reform as provided for in a bill recently passed by the Senate, but one that is being opposed by racist Republicans in the House. Speaking today at this own institute, Bush said:

"The laws governing the immigration system aren’t working. … We’re a nation of immigrants... we’re also a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We can uphold our tradition of assimilating immigrants... but we have a problem."

Of course, having said this, I will admit Bush was a passionate supporter of immigration reform while he was President as well. He just couldn’t convince members of his own political party to agree with him.