The new AP version of that story omits the third paragrpah, thereby showing there is some level of shame over on West 33rd Street.

Yeesh. Tough crowd in WI. I'm certainly no Clinton fan, I voted against him both times and still cant believe he was President, but still...

Other reports, which I can't confirm, say there wasn't any booing, just oohing, i.e., expressions of shock. The original AP story gives an impression that thousands booed, which I very much doubt.

I listened to a clip of the event (on Fox).

Boos? Not that I heard.

While eating lunch, I watched a few minutes of Fox News, which showed both Kerry and Bush's wishes to Clinton. It didn't sound like Bush's audience booed in the clip.

I really tried not to post this, but I am weak.

Clinton, 58, was admitted to New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia after undergoing initial testing near his suburban home, his office said. He canceled a two-day joint trip with his wife across upstate New York.

I find the timing of this announcement very suspicious.

Hell, I'd drive into a bridge abutment to avoid a trip with her.

There is some speculation that this hurts Bush by putting attention on Kerry, Clinton, and the Dems. That is only true if Kerry somehow pulls it together over the next few days or week. Kerry is running out of time to change the perception that he is not fit for command and right now there is no signs that he is going to change that perception.
As for Bush he always takes the high road so him wishing Clinton the best is no surprise (remember how gracious he was at Clinton's portrait unveiling a few months ago)

AP may have dropped the third paragraph, but some outlets are headlining the "booing:"

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/09/03/audience_boos_as_bush_offers_best_wishes_for_clintons_recovery/

Everyone at my office--and this a typical mix of Ds, Rs, and Is--was saying how it seemed Clinton always managed to suck the spotlight away from Kerry.

No, it's only coincidence...right...only coincidence.

AWW:

I'm not saying he will or should, but if the former President were to die who do you think Hillary would have give the big speech (besides hers)--the junior senator from MA or the President of the United States?

Right now (and it probably won't last) Kerry is in a death spiral where all news is bad news. This takes the spotlight off him when he was about to start "fighting back" and reminds people who like Clinton that John Kerry is no Bill Clinton.

Just like Clinton. Can't stand to not be the center of attention.

It also gives Clinton the perfect excuse to not campaign for Kerry.

Yeah. I don't remember where or who, but somebody was saying the other day that leading Dems were already smelling the stink of defeat emanating from the Kerry campaign and were edging away from the unfortunate Senator. I hardly think that Mr. Clinton planned this event - and whatever I think of him politically, I always kind of liked him personally and I certainly hope he gets back to 100% - but it's mighty convenient in that it renders him _hors de combat_ during the crucial opening phase of the general campaign. I note that Hillary herself has been _very_ low-key these past few weeks, and as far as I know has expressed no public reaction whatever to the GOP expostulations of the past four days.

Can't blame Hillary for keeping her distance from Kerry - her husband's surgery has to be more important to her at this time, and she can always hit the campaign trail in October, when it will matter more. Assuming full recovery, will Bill be campaigning for Kerry? The answer has to be "not much, if at all".

What the press will do is exceedingly easy to figure. What do YOU think contains more potential interest to the typical reporter and typical consumer of news: a former President undergoing major surgery or the second-place Presidential candidate trying to nuance his way out of the Vietnam War? I thought so.

There were no 'boos.' There was a collective intake of breath when President Bush announced that Clinton had been hospitalized . . . then applause when Bush conveyed his best wishes. The AP report was scurilous. Chris Matthews is asking politicos what effect this will have on the Kerry campaign given that Clinton won't be campaigning, etc. This is ghoulish. I hope the guy gets better. 'Nuff said.

As attentive readers now know, the AP ran the first story, changed it, deleted the byline, and changed it again. There were no boos - the tracks were thought to be covered - but the truth wins out.

A total fabrication.