Politics Aside at Betty Ford Funeral: Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush Share Intent Conversation

(By Z. Byron Wolf, ABC News) - Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama stared quietly ahead before the funeral of Betty Ford in Palm Desert, California. But sandwiched between them in the front row at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and visible on a television video feed were Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President George W. Bush.

And those two, the former Democratic First Lady and the former Republican President, were in deep conversation about something. Clinton could be seen to be nodding in agreement as Bush explained something, using hand gestures. Later, Clinton was shaking her head in what appeared to be shared frustration as Bush leaned in.

Their chat lasted for at least seven minutes and ended when the funeral procession got started and everyone’s attention turned to the somber event of commemorating the passing of Betty Ford.