All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings
Page 40
I headed up several task forces for President Reagan, including the one on deregulation, one on terrorism, and the National Narcotics Border Interdiction System. We worked with the Pentagon, the Coast Guard, and local law enforcement agencies in trying to cut down on the amount of illegal drugs flowing into the country. It was interesting but often grueling and depressing work. I dictated to my diary:
May 5, 1987
Big day in Houston. Flew down yesterday on the 4th for drug coordinating meeting in Houston. A lot of flap on drugs, a lot of concern. . . . Customs and other people telling me that Mexico was giving us better cooperation on drugs. The enormity of the problem—It won’t be solved by interdiction. It will only be solved by education, though we’re interdicting enormous amounts. In another year, we’ll have in place balloons that will go all the way across the long border of the Pacific to Brownsville, Texas. It is a tough job. . . .
It was about this time that my friendship with Ross Perot began to sour. I had always been supportive of his efforts to solve the POW/MIA issue in Vietnam. But when he began accusing the Pentagon of lying about whether there were live Americans in Vietnam, I could no longer support him. Also, President Reagan had tasked General John Vessey, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to deal with the POW/MIA and other Vietnam-related issues. General Vessey told President Reagan that Perot’s trips to Vietnam were interfering with his work, and I had to tell Perot the trips had to stop. He was furious and insisted on seeing President Reagan.
May 7, 1987
. . . Ross Perot had been in—flamboyant guy—acting like the President and I had twisted his arm; he was trying to change our whole foreign policy toward Vietnam . . . [He has] no knowledge of the balance involved or what it all means to the surrounding countries. The President was firm, trying to get him out of the mix and Ross blowing up as he walked down the hall with Howard Baker, and then calling Colin Powell again.27 Ross is acting strange. He makes it that we twisted his arm to get in to all of this, and it is simply not true. He’s smeared the character of some good people and I am very concerned about him. There is a certain arrogance that goes with wealth, but in our political system, now with the limits at $1,000,28 his thousand spends like anybody else’s thousand. I’m disappointed in him. I’ve always had him on a high plane, high regard; but, he has acted badly and has not kept his word. For example, he said he would not go to Vietnam unless he saw live prisoners. He said that over and over again, and then he went. He sent an advance team, went, sent people back, and he’s trying to conduct an independent foreign policy. . . . In any event, I think that he now maybe is out as he should be. There’s no question about his intention, but he is just too much . . .
May 24, 1987
Mr. FitzGerald Bemiss
Richmond, Virginia 23209
Gerry,
Today the newly painted Fidelity flew out of the water, conquered the sea, and brought me total R&R. . . .
I am tired, but in spite of an ugly atmosphere out there in the press, I feel good—at peace.
The lessons we learned from our folks still count. Do your best, keep your chin up, work hard, be tolerant—good sense.
Love to all Bemi,
GB
5-27-87
The Honorable Hugh Gregg
Nashua, New Hampshire 03062
Hugh:
Right about the applause lines. Maybe I need to wait longer hoping that someone will get the urge to clap—I am doing a little better on this. . . .
Hectic travel schedule but I am pleased with the way things are going. Our man Felix Rodriguez, the mystery man of the Contras, testified today, totally exonerating me, but I’ll be damned if it got much coverage on the tube. . . . c’est la guerre. Hang in with love to Cay.
George
June 16, 1987
Mr. James A. Thomas, Jr.
New Northern Group
New York, New York 10022
Dear Jim:
Pardon my delay in answering your good letter of May 21. I’m on the road all the time.
I am encouraged about the way things are moving politically and appreciate your interest and suggestions. On Iran-Contra, I have told the full truth to the FBI, and we have turned over all relevant data to the various [Congressional] committees. . . .
On “distancing,” I will remain loyal to the President, but I will be saying, “Here is what we have done, here is the unfulfilled agenda, and here is what I, George Bush, will do in the future.”
On speaking style, I appreciate those constructive suggestions. God knows, there’s plenty of room for improvement.
I hope you will keep the suggestions coming from time to time. I welcome your support and your constructive suggestions.
Sincerely,
George Bush
6-18-87
Dear Jack (and les girls, too)29
Someone from our office down there sent me a couple of vulgar birthday cards, thus making my pristine celebration into something slightly off-color. I know you know how vulgarity offends.
Oh actually there was a nice one or two. That sweet Dot Burghard30 cleaned up her act enough to send me a clean one with a rural theme. Marilyn Gibbons passed muster with her delightful attack on the Pentagon; but oh those ugly ones—bathroom habits etc.
Jack, knowing how you feel on this, please tell those girls down there, those volunteers, that their pay will be sliced if they don’t go the way of the righteous.
Hang in all. Thanks from this 63 year old.
George
July 12, 1987
Dear “P”
Here are some stamps. People love getting your letters from camp.
Camp sounds terrific. I have never heard of so many wonderful activities.
. . . The campaign is going pretty well, but I am a little tired of travel. Today it’s very hot in DC but at high noon we are going to have a pitch off in the horseshoe pit. George W, a pretty fair ringer man, is going head on head with Don [Rhodes] as his partner against me and Senator McClure.31 I think we’ll take ‘em. Yesterday George W and some California teen-ager did us in.
Soon you’ll be in Maine, and then a little later I’ll be there. . . .
Ganny and Millie send their love. Millie brought in another bird and one possum. The possum played dead and when Millie left the possum waddled off.
I miss you but will see you soon.
Devotedly,
Gampy
August 13, ’87
Mrs. James A. Baker, III
Washington, D. C. 20007
Dear Susan,
I loved your letter.
. . . We’re in Maine—Grandchildren are churning twisting, jumping, laughing, singing, crying—growing bigger—discovering life
I watch, Bar too, we smile & love. Love to all Bakers.
GB
September 9, 1987
Mr. William F. Buckley, Jr.
NATIONAL REVIEW
New York, New York 10016
Dear Bill,
Your August 26 letter caught up with us in Maine. We had a good rest there.
I am glad the debate matter has been resolved.32 I would much prefer to have had the debate later on, as you know, but I’ll be damned if I wanted to have what will probably be a pin cushion—have been a real punching bag.
I’m living by the Eleventh Commandment,33 and it’s a great character builder. I hope that I prove to be the “rightwardmost viable candidate.” I do feel confident about the outcome of the primaries. I’ve taken an enormous number of shots for refusing to jump away from the President. I don’t have that luxury, and I don’t want that luxury. But now, things seem to be on track. Reagan did not lie about the diversion of funds, and those who were a little cautious about accepting his word are not going to look very strong, in my view.
All the best, and thanks for your good letter.
Sincerely,
George
Barbara and I headed for Europe the end of September, parts of which trip we
re very emotional, especially our visit to Poland. I met Lech Walesa for the first time, at a time when his Solidarity movement could still go either way, success or failure. It was an exciting, nail-biting time.
September 29, 1987
Flying out of Poland on our way to Germany. The Poland visit is a blur of excitement, emotion, and sometimes wonder.
. . . Walesa was very interesting. He had several of his people there. Some that had been in jail, some that had gone underground. . . . they talked very openly. Their whole pitch is for pluralism and obviously, for freedom of the elections. They hate the Communists and talk openly about it. If the houses are bugged over there, it doesn’t seem to bother the Solidarity people. . . .
The Church is stronger than I ever would have thought—freer, more able to do its thing. The people are overflowing in their enthusiasm for the U.S. Flags, crying out “long live Reagan,” “long live Bush.”
Other impressions . . .
It’s the meeting with the intellectuals at the Ambassador’s house, talking openly against their government, and yet, are drawn up short because of their inability to really do anything about it.
It is the pleasant nature of the Communist rulers—Jaruzelski,34 at first shy and then relaxing and pleasant, bright. . . .
It is a hospital in Krakow, where you see the little children. We went into the leukemia ward and we saw the kids, stripped of hair, all because of radiation. But it never occurred to me that was leukemia. Then, we saw a sick little guy, sitting in his bed—7 or 8 years old—the nurse saying that this is the one that specially wanted to meet you. I greeted him and I said what does he have wrong. And, they said “leukemia.” My eyes flooded with tears, and behind me was a bank of television cameras—a reporter from TIME, an awful nice guy named Beckwith,35 I think, standing as a pool reporter. And, I thought to myself, I can’t turn around, I can’t dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of a host of reporters and our hosts and the nurses that give of themselves everyday. As I stood there looking at this little guy, tears running down my cheek, but able to talk to him pleasantly, hoping he didn’t see but, if he did, hoping he’d feel that I loved him. . . .
I get the distinct feeling as I leave Poland that the state is very careful. They know the people are not with them. They know the people have faith in God and are Catholics. They know their history, and yet they control. The police are omnipotent. The union has been beaten to its knees. The leaders tell me Solidarity is nothing, it is dead, it doesn’t exist, and yet, you stand at the cathedral of Father Popieluszko’s Church, the Father, the slain leader, the man who was murdered by the secret police, and thousands, literally thousands of people calling out ‘Solidarnos, Solidarnos’ and cheering Walesa. And, asserting their affection for the Union. It is powerful. . . .
We went to Auschwitz today, on the 29th, and it was moving. The thing that struck me the most was the naked women, trying to cover their bodies as they were led—to the graves dug for them—to be shot. There is something so demeaning, so undignified, and the same was true as men—one hopeless looking, terrified man—covering his privates in a lost gesture of decency, in a world that knew no decency. Murdered, slaughtered by the hundreds, the gas chambers, the pictures of the children . . . How in God’s name could anyone ever be so brutal? Could any people be so sick? God spare the world from this kind of brutality. . . .
I sent this letter to all our Texas friends and supporters, the people who had stood beside me for so many years.
October 6, 1987
Mr. Trammell Crow
Dallas, TX 75021 2997
Dear Trammell,
Next Monday, October 12, I will officially announce my intention to run for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
Barbara and I have just returned from a very successful 9 days in Europe, and I wanted to write you immediately and ask you to join me and my family as I take this important step toward the Presidency.
All of us have worked hard and waited a long time for this day. I want you to know that you have helped to make it possible. Barbara and I could not have come this far without you.
Together, with your help, we can make America’s future every bit as proud and prosperous as her past.
I hope you will be able to join us at the Houston Hyatt Regency on October 12th.
Sincerely,
George Bush
October 10, 1987
I’m dead tired. We’ve been out every night this week. But I leave to go to Maine and N.H. . . . We fly to Fryeburg, Maine, where, we’re greeted by Doro, Sam, Billy and Ellie, along with Gov. McKernan and Congresswoman Snowe.36 A marvelous day at the fair. The leaves were breath-takingly beautiful. The yellows and the bright reds are my favorites, but all of them blended in for a sweeping sea of color. When the sun hit the leaves, it was particularly brilliant.
We walked around the racetrack there at Fryeburg and then had a marvelous Norman Rockwell-like parade with balky goats being hauled by young kids—great big horses—the inevitable old car—the Boy Scouts—the float—the older ladies—great big drawing teams of horses endlessly marching by and crapping all over the things right in front of the reviewing stand—people giggling nervously about that. I said a few words—the band boomed out and the girls chorus singing . . . I shook a thousand hands and my tendon on my right arm began to hurt.
We had a great day there. Little Sam walking along and waving, holding my hand, and then suddenly he decided he didn’t want to do that at all anymore, so he kind of sulked and went through his difficult phase.
We fly to Greenfield, N.H. to the Judd Gregg37 house and there is a crowd in excess of 2,000 people. One of the biggest political crowds, if not the biggest, that I’ve ever seen in N.H. It was fantastic. Judd Gregg, John Sununu38 and I spoke. They were very brief and I was informal. Sununu told me that I had the fire in my belly and it was the best he’d ever heard me give. I’m confused, cause I keep thinking “I’ve been giving that speech day in and day out” but I shook every one of those hands, and it took two hours, walking up and down the rope line, endless pictures, autographs, and literally, by the time that I got finished, just before I spoke, my tendon and arm really hurt. . . .
October 12, 1987—THE BIG DAY
. . . Beautiful clear day in Houston. Margaret Warner of Newsweek is on the plane. George giving her grief about the story we haven’t seen. He asked if on the Newsweek cover, is the word ‘wimp’ on it? Margaret seems a little uncomfortable.39
. . . Supposed to be a good welcoming crowd. Bar looks beautiful. Thirty-four years ago today, Robin died.
. . . The events were terrific. In the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, a crowd of about 2,000 for the speech . . . The press generally received it well. Seeing differences from Reagan, but not in a very negative fashion . . .
Mickey Gilley40 was good. Milo Hamilton of the Astros was good. They had astronauts and ball players and many, many old friends and kids. Neil was there. Marvin wasn’t. George was there, Jeb wasn’t. Doro was there. Pierce and Lauren were there, but Pierce didn’t make it on stage—tired and irritable. Colu was there with Noelle and George P. Johnny Bush came down on the plane and Lionel Hampton, loyal to the end. Loyal, loyal, loyal.
Paul Boesch, the wrestler, was there. Our great office people from Houston were there. They’d done an awful lot of the work.
The balloon drop that started at the top of the Regency was marvelous. For a frightening moment, it looked like a condom drop—raw rubber appearing from the ceiling—balloons that had popped during the night. But, then down came the array of balloons after a short rahrah speech following my main speech in the ballroom. Loyal friends were there. Baine and Mildred Kerr but I didn’t see the Chambers. I didn’t see the Ashmuns and I didn’t get to shake hands with so many of the thousand (2000) people that were in the ballroom itself . . . The press don’t understand that there is strength in all of this. . . .
October 22, 1987
The handlers want m
e to be tough now, pick a fight with somebody . . . boy, we live in a world of reaction. That Newsweek story was the cheapest shot I’ve seen in my political life. The ‘wimp’ cover, and then everybody reacts—pick a fight—be tough—stand for something controversial, etc., etc. Maybe they’re right, but this is a hell of a time in life to start being something I’m not. Let’s just hope the inner strength, conviction and hopefully, honor can come through. . . .
November 5, 1987
Dr. Charles LeMaistre, President
M.D. Anderson Hospital
Houston, Texas 77030
Dear Dr. LeMaistre:
This is to notify you that I have chosen the M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute,41 along with the United Negro College Fund, to be the co-recipients of the proceeds of my autobiography, Looking Forward. These are two causes that are very important to Barbara and me and I hope that the book sells well enough to make a meaningful impact on your activities.
Sincerely,
George Bush
November 6, 1987
Mr. Harold R. DeMoss, Jr.42
Houston, Texas 77002
Dear Hal,
. . . On “English First,” I cannot change my position. I strongly favor every child learning to speak English, but I don’t think we need a federal law. I worry about prejudice against Hispanics, particularly, and I am afraid that the “English First” debate could stir up prejudice and curtail linguistic education programs that I think are absolutely essential in order to teach all Americans to speak English properly. Please keep me informed on the issue. I do not want to be blind-sided. I know public opinion is on the other side, but this is how I feel.