All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings

by George H. W. Bush

  The future holds in store for you great treasures, the greatest of which is freedom. Before you get to be 21 we must do all we can to preserve our freedom, to guarantee that you can live in a country unequaled in its fairness, its greatness, its measure of freedom.

  I am optimistic. I see enormous problems at home and abroad but they can be solved by 1997. I wish I were a little guy 1 year old. There is so much to do, so far to travel, so much happiness to live and to give.

  Good Luck, kid.

  George Bush

  Jeb, Columba, George P., and the newest Bush—our first granddaughter, Noelle—had moved to Venezuela where Jeb worked for Texas Commerce Bank.

  April 24, 1978

  Mr. Jeb Bush

  Caracas 107 Venezuela

  Dear Jeb:

  . . . I am dictating this prior to leaving on our around-the-world trip. Attached are some copies of my schedule and some recent articles from the columnists . . . We are not doing any of the things that one should be doing if he wanted to attract columnists’ attention; but, nevertheless, there seems to be a credibility to my effort that is reassuring.

  We get back to Houston the day before George’s primary; and we’ll all be keeping our fingers crossed. Reports from out there are pretty darn good.

  We really miss you, Columba and those two kids. We miss you an awful lot.

  Hang in. Just know that we think of you with pride, all the time.

  Devotedly,

  Dad

  Among my and Barbara’s many stops on our business/speaking tour was Iran, where I had a long visit with the Shah. He was a fascinating man who had a good grasp of the international scene. Ironically, in January of 1979, he fled his own country as supporters of the Ayatollah Khomeini seized power. I typed this memo:

  Audience with the Shah

  April 29th, 1978

  I met with his Imperial Majesty at 10:30 a.m. Meeting lasted about 40 minutes. Just two of us were in room. There was brief interruption when TV camera and photographers were ushered in and out for shots—no sound. . . .

  The Shah was most gracious and immediately put me at ease.

  Subjects covered were:

  1. Afghanistan. His Majesty is most concerned about recent developments, citing coup as one more example of the Soviets’ grand design. He had warned Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter about Afghanistan.8

  He cited his concern about Gulf States—run by “bunch of bedouins.” They have no plan; they are no match for forces determined to overthrow them.

  He sees Iraq and Syria as real menace. He is unsure of Pakistan now.

  2. He questions will of USA to stand up against USSR’s long-stated plan to conquer world. “I will fight”. “No matter what happens, I will fight and the Soviets will know this.” He gave distinct impression that we are not properly concerned about Soviet intentions. He is clearly concerned about increased KGB activity around the world.

  3. The Shah repeated his oft-stated concern about what the U.S. is doing to itself—continued attacks by the left plus such media as N. Y. Times, Washington Post, TV notoriety on our intelligence agencies and on Iran and himself concerns him enormously.

  4. Though discreet about it, his concern about our human rights policy came through. (I must confess at this point that I told him of my own concern about our human rights policy and further that I had been speaking out in the USA expressing my concern on certain aspects of this policy, namely our selectivity and my further concern that some of the results were weakening or straining traditional U.S. Friendships. End of confession.)

  5. China. Relations are good with China. The Shah may go to Peking. I encouraged him to go, suggesting that in wake of Afghanistan’s apparent fate, visit would have special significance. He felt we had an opportunity to do much more with China now.

  6. The Shah suggested that, given U.S. dependence on imported oil and Russia’s designs on Gulf States, that Europe and Japan could eventually be compelled to make deals with Soviets if their grand design materialized.

  7. He expressed his concerns about Europe, citing his fears that threats would materialize through underbelly—Italy, Spain and Yugoslavia. He expressed his concern about Algeria and Libya and his fear that Soviets would quietly move back into Egypt if “you let Sadat9 down.”

  8. Continuing theme was concern about what the West was doing to itself by attacking its own national security agencies; by failing to keep commitments; by underestimating determination of USSR to vanquish West by whatever means necessary.

  I asked some close friends to come to Kennebunkport that summer to talk politics, issues, and my future. This letter went to Congressman Bill Roth of Delaware:

  July 12, 1978

  Dear Bill,

  On August 18-19, I am inviting a handful of people to come to Kennebunkport, Maine to chat informally about the economy and some domestic issues.

  The group will consist of a few economists, several Members of Congress, some business people and a liberal representation from the Bush family. . . .

  The idea is to chat on Friday afternoon on the big issues. It won’t be high structured with formal presentations, et cetera. I’d rather have a lively, informal discussion.

  Friday evening, I’ll talk my family into having a good seafood dinner for everyone. On Saturday, we’ll chat again in the morning or afternoon, taking some time off to get out on the water. . . .

  We will not seek any press coverage. The Fund for Limited Government will pay for travel and living expenses. The Fund is a political action committee with which I am associated (James A. Baker, III is the fund’s chairman). We may print up some general conclusions from the meeting which can be shared with various candidates for the U.S. Congress or which can be supplied to spokesmen who are out speaking for candidates. I am doing speaking like this under the Fund’s sponsorship.

  Please let me know if you can come. I will send along more details as the day approaches. Try to do it! I’d love to have a chance for a good visit with you.

  Most sincerely,

  George

  George W. won the GOP primary in his congressional race but it was a tough election. A friend and editor of the Lubbock newspaper wrote and said I should be proud of George, that he had showed “a lot of class.”

  July 14, 1978

  Mr. Charles A. Guy

  Lubbock, Texas 79413

  Dear Charles:

  I just can’t tell you how much your letter meant to me (and to Barbara). It was typical of you—a thoughtful, constructive, helpful letter—written from the heart.

  You know how close our family is; and therefore, you know of the pride I have in my own son.

  He kept his head high in the face of some tough, bitter, mean little ultraright attacks during the primary. I think his opponent got slightly desperate. Reagan endorsed Reese, which obviously didn’t make me happy;10 and then this nutty Clarence Warner from Oklahoma came in assailing George, because I am a member of the Trilateral Commission. I was proud of my boy. No one likes his father to be attacked; George did not overreact nor did he panic. He beat a good vote-getter and beat him rather soundly.

  Your observations about the need for balance in the Congress and the need for independence from good ole Tip11 was very sound.

  I hope our paths cross before long, Charlie. In the meantime, though, let me tell you again, you have my gratitude.

  As I get older, I realize that friendships are what it’s all about.

  When I do see you, I want to tell you of my ambitious plans for ’80. I honestly believe I can do it. . . .

  Sincerely yours,

  George Bush

  August 8, 1978

  Mr. Charles Bartlett

  Washington, D.C.

  Dear Charley:

  . . . The “tough enough” theme is getting fed by some of the adversaries. It does not bother me; I’ve had tough jobs, made tough decisions, and emerged with the respect of people whom I worked for and whom I led.

  We’re putti
ng together some material for interested feature writers, based on interviews with people I work with in various jobs. This material will be emphasizing tough decisions, leadership, etc. Down the line I think it can be extraordinarily helpful. . . .

  I continue to travel. Here is a copy of our fall schedule. Please keep it confidential. There’s a helluva lot happening. I am not discouraged. Indeed, I believe I can pull it off, Charley; we’ll see.

  Sincerely yours,

  George Bush

  October 3, 1978

  Mr. Alan Greenspan12

  One New York Plaza

  New York, NY 10004

  Dear Alan:

  . . . The big question I have is how does one, short of major revision, cut back on the built-in increases in payments to individuals. Will any congress go back and cut down on future payments of Social Security, Medicare, etc.? In my view programs should be reviewed and we should not be afraid to reduce the benefits in the future. But I am wondering if it is practical. I would sure appreciate any advice you could give me on this point. I talk about spending cuts. People keep saying, “Where do you cut?” My answer is simply to inhibit, hold the growth to 7 percent, or some such figure, and the dynamic growth in the economy will put the budget in balance down the line. Or, I have resorted to some discussion of the 2 percent across the board cut. If you have written anything on where to cut spending or how to cut spending or in what manner to cut personal payments in the future, I sure would welcome it. It is a tough subject but it is so darn important.

  Let me tell you again how much I appreciate your coming by to see me.

  Sincerely Yours,

  George Bush

  12-5-78

  Mr. Toby Hilliard

  Woodside, Calif 94062

  Dear Toby,

  You left a few hours ago.

  Now I’m home, and I got to thinking—How many guys would come all that way to sit down and help a friend by taking the tough road and bringing up the “not so easy things.”13

  I am really grateful. I need help. I need advice. I need criticism. For me this goal is the end all-be all. I feel driven. Hopefully for altruistic reasons. But I do want to succeed, and I can’t do that by hearing only the soft and easy stuff.

  Thanks, pal. Keep the cards and letters coming. I want you involved. Sometimes I wake up and wonder what’s a little guy like me doing taking on a project of this magnitude—then I think—I can do it

  I have been blessed by birth, by experience, by training. And I have friends. Loyal close friends, men of quality. Thanks for being a part of all this.

  Best Ever,

  George

  January 31, 1979

  The Honorable Richard M. Nixon

  La Casa Pacifica

  San Clemente, California

  Dear Mr. President,

  That was a very thoughtful note you wrote me on January 9. I am determined to make an all-out effort for 1980. I start with no name identification and I realize that. I will, however, continue to keep a “low-profile.” I am traveling with no press secretary, no advance text and no fanfare. I am determined to organize, and organize well, before escalating the candidacy to high levels of public attention.

  I couldn’t agree more about avoiding a massive blood-letting. I know I can campaign so as not to tear down somebody else.

  Again, my sincere thanks to you for this helpful advice and my warm regards to Mrs. Nixon, in which Barbara joins me.

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  April 6, 1979

  Dr. James L. Jablonowski

  Milwaukee, WI 53222

  Dear Dr. Jablonowski,

  . . . As to the Mideast, I am terribly concerned. I give Carter credit for getting Begin and Sadat14 together, but I am convinced that peace is not at hand. There are some enormously complicated times ahead. We failed to shape events in Iran, and now we are failing to keep the Russians from mucking around in some of the Gulf countries. Our problem is that our leadership is not generating any confidence abroad, and thus we are seeing a decline in U.S. credibility, and certainly a mounting perception of weakness. The situation is serious. Thank you for your supportive letter.

  Yours very truly,

  George Bush

  A note to my wife, Barbara, on her birthday, June 8:

  Happy happy 54th

  love you—I love you very much. Nothing—campaign separations, people, nothing will ever change that—

  I can’t ever really tell you how much I love you.

  Your 55 yr. old husband.

  Pop

  June 16, 1979

  Mr. L. W. Bankston

  Decatur, AL 35601

  Dear Mr. Bankston,

  Many thanks for your letter and for the sharp comments.

  I do not believe in the “trickle down” way of doing anything. I do believe in deregulating industry since small businessmen are hit the worst by excessive Federal regulation. Our country was built on individual initiative and I want to bring that “can do spirit” back into emphasis. . . .

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  July 13, 1979

  Mr. Roy E. Hardman

  Nixon, TX 78140

  Dear Dr. Hardman,

  . . . I oppose the national health insurance plans of President Carter and Sen. Kennedy. The financial costs of such programs would necessitate higher taxes which I adamantly oppose. . . .

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  September 18, 1979

  Miss Ruthie Stephenson

  Houston, TX 77055

  Dear Ruthie,

  . . . Ruthie, we live in a regulated, complex society and to comply with the law, it is impossible for me to accept your generous contribution. You see, I can not accept money from anyone under 18 years of age.

  I have enclosed a check for $1.79, which is the combined total of your two contributions. I am sending you a George Bush for President T-shirt to let you know how grateful I am that you are one of my best supporters.

  When I get back to Houston, I hope I can meet you in person.

  Most sincerely,

  George Bush

  September 18, 1979

  Mr. Gary Hanauer

  Oakland, CA 94602

  Dear Gary,

  Sorry for the delay in responding to your letter, but I’ve been on the road constantly. The answers to your questions are as follows:

  1. Handshaking—Yes, it is possible to tell things by a handshake. I like the “looking in the eye” syndrome. It conveys interest. I like the firm, though not bone crushing shake. The bone crusher is trying too hard to “macho it.” The clammy or diffident handshake—fairly or unfairly—get me off to a bad start with a person.

  2. Kissing babies—I love kissing babies, but I don’t like the “full courtpress-mandatory” baby kiss—you know, where the baby, screaming and kicking, is thrust forward simply to fulfill a time honored tradition. In addition, babies get a lot of colds this way.

  3. Non-political identity—I have always participated in athletics. I love fishing, tennis, jogging and baseball. I enjoy fast boats. I don’t know which one will emerge as my identifying activity, but all will be prominent

  I hope this information is useful.

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  Toward the end of 1979 I began to keep a campaign diary (although I dictated only sporadically), which I mainly used to talk about the rigors of being on the road.

  September 29, 1979

  . . . I think I’m putting on a little weight. I got to run only once this week, and that was in Iowa. The food varies. . . . What I like are the barbecues. The chopped beefs or chopped pork in Alabama or Georgia; the ribs we had in Iowa and ribs we have in Texas; these kinds of food are much better—chicken once in a while can be all right, but often it is pale or liquid or hard or dreary and I push it away.

  . . . I saw Barbara twice this week: once in the middle of the night at Des Moines, Iowa and once briefly in Indianapolis. S
he’s working hard and getting good press. I am awfully proud of the children and what they are doing . . .

  October 10, 1979

  I’m so digging in, so tense . . . I have no time to think about relaxation. Just this one goal . . . no time to think at all. That troubles me a little bit. Drive, drive forward. I’m surprised my body can take it. The mind is still clear, although I totally lose track of where I’ve been and whom I’m with. I’ve given up on names. . . . David Bates15 got so tired that he really had to go home. He was just dropping and drooping. I felt the same way but I was just determined not to show it—determined to push on. . . . I don’t want to look back and find that I’ve left something undone.

  October 14, 1979

  Mrs. Robert Wells Carton

  Winnetka, IL 60093

  Dear Mrs. Carton,

  . . . It is a treat in this strenuous campaign to read something humorous. Your ideas are creative and delightful.

  The major problem is cost. We have to spend our resources on our great professional staff and on TV ads which will start running soon in the early primary states.

  So, though I love “Secretly, I’m For Bush,” and “Plant a Bush Over a Peanut”16 I’m afraid we don’t have the means to distribute any significant number of these. . . .

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  November 26, 1979

  Mrs. Ormond T. Johnson

  Lakewood, California 90712

  Dear Mrs. Johnson,

  . . . I must respectfully disagree with your support of SALT II. I, too, have studied the Treaty and don’t believe that it is verifiable or equitable. I firmly believe that the Russians do not seek parity with the United States but superiority. We must have a treaty that insures parity; and then, we can move toward a real strategic arms limitation agreement in SALT III. That would be my objective as President.

  Best Wishes,

  George Bush

  December 1, 1979

  No Christmas shopping. I look at Bar’s schedule and I think it is too intense, too tough. She doesn’t get home enough. We’ve overdone it. . . . Marvin wants to go back to school and Jebby bawls him out, but he should go back to school. We cannot disrupt our lives. On Jeb’s case, [Jim] Baker wants him to go to Puerto Rico and yet, I’m not sure that is right. Georgie is just learning to speak and he is in school and he has his routine. I want to be careful that we don’t disrupt the lives of all of them. . . . God, Jeb is doing so fantastic though. Has such good judgment, good with people, great grasp of the issues17 . . .