AFTER months of warmth between the two most powerful families in American politics, old enmities have resurfaced between the Clintons and the Bushes. In a sign of growing tension over the president’s domestic policies, former president Bill Clinton lashed out on Friday at the “dumb economics” of George W Bush.

Clinton’s remarks in a speech to Rhode Island University students followed a period of unusual cosiness between the former president and his successor’s family. Clinton has unexpectedly become a close associate of George Bush Sr, Bush’s father and a former president.

Eyebrows had also been raised in Washington by the apparent warmth of relations between Bubba (Clinton) and Dubya (the younger Bush). The president recently appointed both his father and his predecessor as special ambassadors for tsunami relief, and Clinton accompanied the Bushes to the Pope’s funeral.

The relationship was seen in Washington as politically advantageous for both sides. Clinton remains a hugely popular figure whose respect for Bush might help the president win moderate Democrat support for some of his proposals.

Clinton’s willingness to work with Bush also helps to distance his wife Hillary from Bush-hating radicals who might harm her own presidential ambitions.

Yet the growing unpopularity of President Bush’s domestic policies appears to have led to a rethink in the Clinton camp. Bush yesterday marked the 100th day of his second term with the lowest approval ratings of his presidency.

In his Rhode Island speech, Clinton emphasised that Americans should continue to support the president’s efforts to promote democracy in Iraq, but he attacked congressional measures supported by Bush that would provide tax cuts and subsidies to energy companies.

Clinton described the measures as “selfish”.

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