Bush at the Manufacturer and Business Association Meeting

When former President George W. Bush spoke at the 104th annual Manufacturer and Business Association meeting, he didn't directly criticize Obama during his hourlong speech and the Q & A session that followed.

Nonetheless, it was clear that Bush and Obama hold very different positions on many issues.

From the Washington Times:

Former President George W. Bush fired a salvo at President Obama on Wednesday, asserting his administration's interrogation policies were within the law, declaring the private sector not government will fix the economy and rejecting the nationalization of health care.

"I know it's going to be the private sector that leads this country out of the current economic times we're in," the former president said to applause from members of a local business group. "You can spend your money better than the government can spend your money."

Repeatedly in his hourlong speech and question-and-answer session, Mr. Bush said he would not directly criticize the new president, who has moved to take over financial institutions and several large corporations. Several times, however, he took direct aim at Obama policies as he defended his own during eight years in office.

Naturally, Bush and Obama differ dramatically.

Obama believes in big government and is destroying the private sector. His approach to foreign policy and national security is wishy washy. Obama is extremely liberal, exceedingly far Left.

During Bush's time in office, he was not nearly as fiscally responsible as conservatives expected him to be. He turned out to be more of a moderate on some policy issues and conservative on others.

Even with Bush not being firmly on the far Right end of the political spectrum, he still is miles away from where Obama stands.

Of course, when Bush gives his views, he disagrees with Obama's policies.

Is that really taking swipes at Obama?

I don't think so. Bush would have to be completely silent on all matters in order to avoid expressing his disagreement with Obama.

There's a difference between Bush going on an anti-Obama tour and simply making a speech.

I think it's inappropriate for a former president to actively undermine a sitting president and attempt to diminish his authority. I don't think it's out of line for a former president to reiterate his beliefs and defend his policies when he was in office.