Dear Jenna,
. . . We love you so very much. I just wish your Mum and Dad would let you come stay with us here in Washington. I would come home early from the office and we three could play and do fun stuff.
We love you both and we love your Mother and Dad.
Devotedly,
Gampy
And another grandchild was on the way:
3-26-84
Mrs. Dorothy LeBlond
New Canaan, CT 06840
Dear Doro,
. . . Names are important. If I were you I would not go for “Herby”—that’s a nickname normally and though I would of course be pleased personally, it isn’t right to put the emphasis there.
Walker—well maybe. I was called that when they first shipped me off to Country Day at age 5. Mum thought it was better than Poppy. It lasted about 10 days—then it shifted over to Poppy—a burden I bore heroically until, thank God, we went to war with the Japanese and I went to the Navy and I left Poppy pretty far behind. No, Walker Leblond32 is a little formal somehow—though don’t rule it out entirely.
George. I see your point. George W is one of a kind and it wouldn’t do at all to have George L be under the undue influence of Uncle “W”.
Wait a second—is it worth another try—have you thought of Poppy Leblond only this time have it be his real name. Poppy Richard Leblond—nice ring somehow.
Oh well I’ll keep working, firing the ideas in for better or for worse. I’ve just begun to think.
Hey, Doro, we’re going to love the kid no matter what you call him/her. I for one can’t wait.
Devotedly—with love to Bill,
Dad
In April I went to Geneva to represent the United States at the disarmament conference. I went specifically to ask for a treaty banning chemical weapons, an issue I spent a great deal of time on as Vice President and President.
April 17, 1984
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
Conversation with Ambassador Viktor Israelyan
USSR Ambassador to Committee on Disarmament in Geneva
Attendees:
The Vice President
His Excellency Prince Sadruddin Khan33
Ambasador Viktor Israelyan
The meeting lasted about an hour and a half. Prince Sadruddin Khan joined us. It was very informal and very relaxed. Viktor’s main theme is that to eliminate the lack of trust the USA should take some specific action. It wouldn’t have to be a big action—it could be on bilateral relations, but there should be something visible.
He referred several times to the fact that the Soviets had come a step forward on verification in terms of destruction of chemical weapons. He made the point that this was his initiative and that he had talked them into it back in Moscow. He further alluded to my speech of tomorrow saying, I don’t know what’s in it, but if it is not forth coming, I could be in trouble for recommending the above step.
I made a strong pitch to him about our President’s desire for progress and arms reduction telling him I could understand from public statements and other ways that a lot of people wouldn’t believe this. Speaking to him as an old friend, I knew President Reagan better than most now and I knew what his heartbeat was on all this. . . .
All in all, it was just a very frank, very friendly discussion in which we both agreed that relations weren’t good and should be improved. . . .
I told him . . . there had to be a bold step forward in terms of openness. Viktor told me that their objection to openness was not hiding but was based on decades of concern from foreigners coming into their country, 20 million lives lost, etc., etc.34
I said that that was fine, but that now we were in a nuclear age and we had to think all these positions anew and as we reached out for more verification, we ourselves would have to be opening facilities that had heretofore not been opened and that they would.
He did not jump on the proposal though I had an idea that he already had his instructions.
Not much else. He inquired warmly about Barbara. Talked to me about my former UN colleague Jacob Malik at the time of Malik’s having lost two of his sons and his wife dying. Malik came to Israelyan in tears saying what could I have done that God punishes me in this way. Interesting from a hard line Russian Communist.
In May I traveled again to Asia where I had a fascinating visit with Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi. Tragically, she was assassinated that October by two of her bodyguards, one of whom I know was there the day of our meeting.
18 May 84
TO: THE WHITE HOUSE, EYES ONLY FOR BUD MC FARLANE35
SUBJECT: VP’S PRIVATE MEETING WITH MRS. GANDHI
. . . We talked about the elections, both in the US and India. I asked her if she had any feeling that we were trying to intervene in her election in any way. She said that I know you and President Reagan would never do this, of course, but yours is a large Government. Sometimes people do things that others don’t know about. I asked her if that meant that she felt the intelligence community was involved. She was not clear in her denial. My gut feeling is that she thinks that there had been some monkeying about with support for opposition parties. I told her that if she ever had the feeling that we were working against her in her own elections, I hoped in frankness she would contact me so that I could convey this to the President. I referred to the fact that there were various politicians in India who used “The Foreign Hand” argument during the campaigns in India; that we in the United States knew that “Foreign Hand” meant the US.
I told her that I was a politician and that if being anti-American was good politics, I might not like it, but I would understand. However, if the people who used that expression really meant that the US was intervening in the election process, then we would be very much concerned about that.
She said she appreciated that and there was no direct evidence. . . .
I would say that if the visit accomplished anything, it was establishing a very good personal rapport with Mrs. Gandhi. The conversation was totally relaxed, totally frank—no tensions, no bristlings, no sticky points—nothing purposefully avoided that I could detect. I was determined to make her understand the heartbeat of the President and frankly, I hope and feel that she may have a better knowledge of what makes the President tick at this point.
20 May 1984
FM:
THE VICE PRESIDENT ABOARD AIR FORCE TWO
TO:
THE PRESIDENT WHITE HOUSE WASH DC
Dear Mr. President,
We have just left Oman heading home.
Our ranks have been severely weakened by the usual gut problems, but the trip has been worthwhile with the top leaders of Japan, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Oman all giving the visit first-class attention. I will share some observations when we meet, but because of its potential for real trouble I wanted to comment on The Persian Gulf. Sultan Qaboos, a wise man and a good friend of the U.S., strongly urges that we stay cool.36
Incendiary statements about what we might do, or what we are planning militarily, would be especially provocative he feels.
He clearly appreciates our commitment to keep the straits open, but he points out the straits are open, and that a lot of public speculation about U. S. military cover for tankers and stepped up U.S. Military pressure is genuinely counter-productive. . . .
In summary, I feel we should generate support for what we do both with the Gulf Cooperation Council States and with the Japanese and Europeans. We may well have to act militarily at some point, but it should not be the USA sweeping in alone, dictating to the Gulf States and without the key Europeans and Japan on board.
Flamboyant statements from our bureaucracy really have an unsettling impact on our friends in the Gulf area. They are grateful for our interest but they don’t want to be smothered or crowded by us.
Except when the goat was slaughtered before our eyes to welcome us in Lahore, I conducted myself with decorum and dignity on the entire trip. Barbara did too, but we’re glad to be he
ading home.
Best,
GB
It was the year for grandbabies. I wrote this letter to Neil and Sharon’s first child shortly after she was born:
6-28-84
Dear Lauren,
You’re just a few days old. Already you have made your old grandparents very very happy. We saw that picture of you in the Daily News and in the N.Y. Post. That’s pretty good coverage for a 3-day old. You were smiling right out there in front of all the world, just like your wonderful Dad has done all his life—even when it hurt.
You are a lucky girl. You have a loving Mother who is always thoughtful and nice; and you have a Dad who his brothers and sister named “Mr. Perfect”. (Even when he bet your Uncle Jeb that Jeb couldn’t survive 30 minutes in the steam bath, only to chicken out on payment when Jeb did it—even when Jeb was chasing him about to exact either payment or flesh your Dad was smiling—running fast, but smiling.)
Anyway, Lauren, we can’t wait to see you. We want to see you smile, to hold you, to love you.
It’s a funny thing—when you get older, even if you have an exciting life surrounded by interesting people and having a chance to meet all the world’s leaders—even with all of that—what counts is family and love.
We love you already, more than tongue can tell.
Devotedly,
Gampy
Nineteen eighty-four was of course an election year. Since President Reagan had no primary opponents, politics did not really start dominating our schedule until that summer. Walter Mondale, the Democrats’ nominee, picked New York congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, the first woman picked by either major party. I will confess that I was a little apprehensive to be the first man to run against the first woman. It was uncharted territory. But I sent her a note of “welcome.”
July 12, 1984
Dear Geraldine,
It is a good job.
Congratulations on your selection. Good luck—up to a point.
Sincerely,
George Bush
July 15, 1984
I get sick of Vice Presidential jokes, but everyone really does want this job if they can’t have the number #1 slot; and, yet, the political satirists and commentators continue to downgrade the job even though it’s taken on vast new dimensions like the funeral going, and all of that. But what they overlook is the substance of attending funerals and inaugurations, and the diplomacy that goes with it, the showing of the flag, and the meetings with the Chiefs of State.
There are frustrations at 31/2 years. You’re not making a lot of a decisions, and you have to hold back more than I would be used to if I were running a company or something of that nature; but it’s the best place in the world from which to have access to information, and to be able to be in direct daily touch with the President, to confer, and to be able to give your opinion, particularly the way this President operates. . . .
I’m beginning to think a little in my heart of hearts of the Presidency. Working with Ronald Reagan these years has made it much clearer to me to stay with some fundamental principles; keep the United States of America strong; resist pressures to compromise all the time; be willing to talk, but do it from strength; and now we’re getting in a good position on that. Then at home, the economy, prosperity, and do what is necessary to keep this economic machine going. . . . I do believe that we’ve got to keep trying to get government spending under control, and I’m much more concerned than some about the size of these deficits. The President remains concerned, and I think he’s right not to want to dramatically raise revenues; but only through a compromise in ’85 are we going to get the restructuring of the entitlements that is necessary for the future solvency of this country. There will have to be more revenues raised, and it’s going to be a bloody, gory year.37
The publication of C. Fred’s Story not only made our dog famous, but helped highlight Barbara’s fabulous work with literacy. She had been working hard for years, but it wasn’t always easy to get the word out. A friend of my uncle’s not only sent a fan letter to C. Fred, but a check for $25,000 for Literacy Volunteers of America.
July 20, 1984
Joseph Uihlein, Jr.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Dear Joe,
O.K. consider me demoted!
C. Fred has already taken over and he has given up chasing cars. He is now chasing Geraldine Ferraro.
As for me, my ego has accepted my new status, but I don’t like Ken-L-Ration twice a day.
Joe, Bar & I were deeply touched by that most generous support for Literacy Volunteers. Barbara is devoting a lot of her life to helping wipe out illiteracy. She just couldn’t believe this fantastic generosity.
We Bushes are so grateful and a lot of other Americans will be as well.
I accept the nomination (oops that’s next month)—I mean, the demotion.
Thanks, Joe, from 2 friends who are very very appreciative—
Sincerely,
George
For me, the 1984 election was tough and sometimes bitter. I wrote my sister Nancy:
10-25-84
9 campaigning days to go not counting today.
Mrs. Alexander Ellis
Lincoln Center, Mass 01773
Dear Nan:
Tensions are very very high. I am totally convinced (I hope not conspiratorially so) that we are up against many in the press who hate to see the demise of Ferraro and the defeat of [Mondale]. In any event it has been very rough going, tons of nits to pick—not that I haven’t made mistakes; but when we get lumped into the tax question in the same way as Gerry there’s something wrong.38
. . . Anyway not long to go and then I have some serious thinking. I am not sure I could, in my sixties, undergo this ordeal again—however—not make a decision when one is bone tired.
. . . Soon this madness will be over. In a way it has been good for me. We have really felt the pulse of the country—from the groves in the San Joaquin Valley, to the bottom of the mines in Kentucky, to the yards on both the West and East coast—to the campuses, to the factories and farms. It has been exhilarating in lots of ways; but the press part has been ugly. I mentioned this to a close friend and he helped put it in perspective by saying ‘true GB but what about the bashing the Prez gets every single day—much worse than you get.’ . . .
We are going to win. Then let’s sit and chat.
Love
GB
Geraldine and I had one debate, which I thought went well. The day after the debate, I was visiting with some longshoremen in New Jersey, and they were congratulating me on the debate. One guy followed me with a sign that said, “George, you kicked a little ass last night.” As I was getting in the car to leave, I repeated his statement back to him. Big mistake. Unfortunately, a TV boom mike, which I did not see, picked it up.
October 26, 1984
Mr. Alex Burton
c/o KRLD Radio
Dallas, Texas 75247
Dear Alex:
. . . You editorialized about a comment that I made in private—at least I thought so—to a person on the docks in New Jersey. I have been in politics a long time, and I guess I should have learned that if someone can eavesdrop electronically or otherwise, you are fair game.
I never used the words that offended you in a public way—and no matter how hard the press has goaded me to state the words in public, I have not done so.
I have not become cynical, but neither, I hope, have I become the prime hypocrite. I do use that expression in competition. It is not sexist and in sporting vernacular at least, it is not offensive.
I expect each of us, maybe even you, has said things in private that he doesn’t regret but that he would not say in public. Such is the case with my remark.
I do appreciate your very kind words about Barbara. She too has come under unconscionable fire.39
I just want you to know I had read your commentary, have taken your comments to heart, but cannot be hypocritical by trying to weasel out of what happened.
I have not changed, believe me.
Sincerely,
George Bush
We won the election, but I was exhausted. I wrote my friend and former House colleague:
11-8-84
Barber Conable
Member of Congress
Dear Barber,
The dust is setting. Time now to say thanks for being at my side. . . .
I’m glad it’s over. It got ugly—you saw vestiges of that ugliness.
But, worth it?
You bet—
All the best, with heartfelt thanks,
George
THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
CHAPTER 10
The Rough-and-Tumble
After the bruising election of 1984, I was most interested in going back to being Vice President of the United States. Unfortunately, what seemed to me the far-off campaign of 1988 almost immediately invaded our lives. For the next four years, I juggled politics and my job. I wrote my friend Bob Mosbacher, who was organizing a political action committee on my behalf.
February 14, 1985
Dear Bob:
George and Jeb both want to help on the PAC. George feels that he can bring in a lot of young business people from the West coast . . . Jeb, as you know, is the County Chairman for the Republican Party in Dade County, Florida.
. . . I have not talked to Neil in Colorado, Marvin here in Washington, or Doro LeBlond in Connecticut. Maybe it would make sense to have all 4 boys and Doro on the masthead in order to get the Bush name identified with the PAC—your call.
From this point on, I will keep Craig Fuller, my new Chief of Staff, apprised by copy of everything we do. In the event I am not around, feel free to talk to him on any of this.
Warm regards,
George
In March I went back to Africa—specifically the Sudan, Niger, and Mali—to see firsthand the devastation brought on by a terrible drought. The plan was for me to go from Africa to Geneva, to address the United Nation’s emergency conference on African famine relief. I wrote the President:
All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings Page 37