Bush as president occasionally phoned Clinton

(AP) — George W. Bush had a special phone friend during his White House years: Bill Clinton.

Asked on CBS' "Face the Nation" whether it was true that he often called Clinton, Bush replied: "I don't know about often, but I did. I called him. He didn't call me because he knows how busy a president is. I called him and we chatted on occasion."

Neither Republican nor Democrat Clinton said just what they discussed.

"I was always pleased when he called me," Clinton said as he sat beside Bush for the interview. "I make it a practice never to bother the president. I don't call President Obama either. ... They got plenty to do."

Bush's eight years in office followed Clinton's two terms. While poles apart politically, the ex-presidents said they consider themselves to be friends.

"We have developed a very honest, good friendship," Clinton said. "And we've made our disagreements respectful and we've had a good time doing it."

The two met President Barack Obama at the White House on Saturday and taped segments for five Sunday news shows to appeal for private donations for Haiti relief.

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On the Net:

Former presidents' fundraising site: http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org