Larry Ozarow wrote:

As for incivility, I distinctly remember GHW Bush referring
to Clinton and Gore as "bozos" during a televised debate back
in '92.
Regardless of what you think of them, calling your
opponents "bozos" in a national broadcast is not exactly
a mark of civility. I don't think it's fair to blame the
entire left for MWB's comments, and I don't think the right is
blameless when it comes to crude insulting characterizations.

Bozo is a beloved character. Perhaps GHW Bush was refering to Clinton and
Gore as such.