The former president says he and the former first lady “just took to each other."
Former president George Bush President and former first lady Michelle Obama embrace, accompanied by President Barack Obama and former first lady Laura Bush, while participating in the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24, 2016, in Washington, D.C. (ASTRID RIECKEN/GETTY IMAGES)
Former President George W. Bush said he and former first lady Michelle Obama developed a genuine affection for each other over the eight years President Barack Obama was in office.
"She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like," Bush, who is promoting a book and art exhibit featuring paintings of post-9/11 war veterans, told People.
"I can't remember where else I've sat next to her, but I probably have a few wise cracks and she seemed to like it OK," Bush said. "I needle her a little bit and around her, I'm fairly lighthearted. [The Obamas] are around serious people all the time and we just took to each other."
Bush said he and Obama often found themselves seated next to each other at events where the former presidents would join the current first couple, like former first lady Nancy Reagan's memorial service and the opening of a new Smithsonian museum.
Last September, a viral photo of Obama giving Bush a hug captured the attention of the nation, enchanted by the evident warmth between the first lady in a Democratic administration and her husband's Republican predecessor.
The photo, taken at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture amid the partisan rancor of the 2016 presidential campaign, seemed like a throwback to a gentler time.
"When I saw her, it was a genuine expression of affection," Bush explained.
As evidenced by his book, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors," Bush has dedicated his post-presidency to aiding wounded warriors. The 43rd president said he appreciated Obama's Joining Forces initiative with then-second lady Jill Biden, offering support to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Bush and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush, said they hope to use that mutual interest to work with the Obamas going forward.
"I think they're interested in, also, doing things with our troops of course now in their after-life, as I call it," Laura Bush said.
"It's going to take them a while to find their footing and figure out how they're going to do what they want to do," the 43rd president added. "But if there's a way to be symbiotic, we'll do so."
