All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings
Page 42
Love,
George
2-24-88
Mr. Bob Boilard8
Biddeford, Maine 04005
Dear Bob,
Articles on both Blues and Mackerels made me think of you.
It was great seeing you in New Hampshire.
Bob, I’m going to win, but I’ll promise you one thing—it won’t affect our fishing together.
Life is about friends and values.
You are my friend.
Keep your fingers crossed.
George
February 29th
On Monday I have lunch with the President. He does not want to get involved in the politics, but he’s very interested. . . . Ken Duberstein9 told me after he reported to him that I had won New Hampshire, that the President said, “I’ll sleep better tonight.” . . .
On the night of the 29th, Monday, alone in a Charleston hotel, I’m recognizing that I won’t be back in my own bed now—having been there for one night—for another fifteen days; wishing the sand was running through the clock faster; and seeing the polling numbers holding up. Each day that they hold up, the better it is. . . .
March 3rd
We give the regular speech, and Fuller hands me a prepared speech to attack Dole on taxes. I said, “Why do we want to attack Dole.” We need one news bite, so I went ahead and hit him on the taxes against my better judgment, and the press went ballistic. David Hoffman10 started yelling at me, “Is this a fair attack?” They were screaming, jumping up and down—literally swarming—and wondering why the attack. Was it fair?
I think [my staff] are a little sobered by the fact that the media swarms like this, and I think they now understand that my instincts are correct; but I shouldn’t have done it and not gone with the flow. This pressure that you’re under when they hand you a statement at the last minute is too much, and I’ve got to resist it better. . . .
March 6th
In Kansas City, we went to a shopping center and it was good, though weird T-shirts. There was one woman who had the most unusual T-shirt on I had ever seen—it was pink with light blue writing, and it said something on it like, “What would happen if everyone in the world farted at once?” She was a nice woman, and she had her child with her; but she and her husband seemed totally oblivious to the fact that she had that sign painted on the front of her shirt. . . .
March 9th
Super Tuesday came and went. The results were very, very clear, and the best that we could have possibly expected. It was unbelievable, and there is no way to measure the impact. . . . The enthusiasm is high, and the bottom line is, it was the best political night of my life and couldn’t possibly have been better.11
March 19, 1988
Mr. Larry McMurtry
Washington, D. C. 20007
Dear Mr. McMurtry,
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed “Lonesome Dove,” I have now just finished “Cadillac Jack.” Having lived in West Texas for 12 years or so, I got a tremendous kick out of Jack.
Now for the favor—do you sign bookplates? If you have a couple of your own I’d love to have them signed to stick in the front of these two books for our library. If you don’t have your own, perhaps you’d sign the two book plates attached.
As a peace offering I am sending along my non-best seller.
Sincerely,
George Bush
Mario Cuomo and I got into a letter exchange about economic policy. Here’s just one in the series.
April 11, 1988
The Honorable Mario Cuomo
Governor of the State of New York
Albany, New York 12224
Dear Mario:
Good letter, yours of March 16; but let me comment on one or two specifics. . . .
You cite your own record for cutting taxes and balancing 6 consecutive budgets up there. That is good—outstanding. Please join me in getting the Congress to give the President the tool that you and 42 other Governors have—the line-item veto. I’ll bet it would help work wonders at the Federal level.
You seem to indicate the new Commission12 may not endorse a tax hike. Please join me in urging the Commission to reject any increase in taxes. This Commission was your idea and the Commission will undoubtedly listen if you encourage them to resist all tax increases.
The election in 1988 will be about a lot of issues, a principal one being how do we get the deficit down. The Congress appropriates and tells us how to spend every dime. Let’s get more people in Congress who will hold the line on taxes and help us do a better job on constraining the growth of spending.
My specific proposal is a four year flexible freeze. Total spending, except for social security and interest, could grow at no more than the inflation rate. I call for a line-item veto for the President and for passage of the balanced budget amendment, something the American people overwhelmingly support. “Flexible” means the President could add in areas he felt needed more funding but then he’d have to recommend less spending in other areas. . . .
The existing election process is a real grind, but it is really the best way to take one’s case to the American people. The best way to make a point about . . . anything facing this nation, is first to fight it out for one’s own primary nomination, than having been seasoned and tested by the grueling primary process, to move into an equally grueling general election campaign. . . .
One of your fellow Democrats running for President talked about “Midnight in America.” Cheer him up. This is a great, powerful and dynamic country. Let’s work together to keep it that way.
Thanks so much for writing.
Sincerely,
George Bush
April 16, 1988
Prof. Samuel Hynes
Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature
Princeton, N. J.
Dear Prof. Hynes,
Recently you sent me your new book Flights of Passage, and I wrote you back a rather perfunctory thank you note.
Now I have read every word in Flights; and even though the book is closed I am still enjoying it all. You see, I was at Ulithi and Guam. I had clean laundry, but I flew the same steady old Turkeys you did. I sang the same songs, told the same lies, censored the same letters, and felt the same way when I released the bombs.
. . . Your Dad underexpressed stuff just like my Dad did, but I sure wish my Dad were here now giving me that same kind of understanding and love.
I expect if I had studied Literature at Yale (sorry) instead of History of Art 34 I could more eloquently tell you what I thought about your book; but we’ll just have to settle for “thanks for helping me relive some of my most formative and enjoyable and sad and maturing days. I loved the book!”
P.S. If I had studied under Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson Prof, I might have learned to type better, too—forgive!
Sincerely,
George Bush
April 28, 1988
The Honorable Richard Nixon
New York, New York 10278
Dear Dick, (I am taking you at your word)13
Thank you for that very good letter of April 19. I totally agree with you on the need for change. Here is [a] quote that shows my state of mind:
“You asked earlier on about change. I want new people. If they’ve got some new approaches, fine. There’s going to be wholesale change—you have to do that—If you had two people who think exactly alike, one of them sitting outside, one of them in, it’s better to bring the new guy in because of revitalization.” (Interview with U.S. News and World Report, April 21, 1988.)
Needless to say, I enjoyed our chat very, very much, and so did Barbara. I would welcome further suggestions at anytime on any subject.
Respectfully and sincerely,
George
May 1, 1988
Dear George “P”,
This jacket and shirt have your name on them. They both may be a little large now, but not forever.
You sounded a little tired today when I called, but I was glad to hear that your marks are g
ood and the baseball is great.
I threw out the first ball at the Mets game. That was good fun. It would have been more fun if you had been along.
I am now locked in the struggle of my life, but in just a little over 6 months I will know whether I will be President of the United States or whether I will be through with public life altogether. Whatever happens I will work very hard, and the future is exciting. If I win you will come stay with me from time to time in the White House. If I lose we can do a lot of good fun things together—no one watching, no one but us caring. If I win, I want you to cheer me up when I get tired or when the problems get very tough. If I lose, I’ll do the same for you, and I’ll live a new life watching you compete and grow up and love and have a family. I’d like to be a Great Grandfather. And somebody will say: “Hey you old man, who is that great looking little kid with you?” And I’ll say with pride—that’s my first Great Grandson. His Dad is that guy over there—the one that has been so nice to his Gampy”.
Devotedly,
Gampy
Our friend Anne Phelps from Kennebunkport wrote to say a rumor was going around town that if I became President, I would not spend too much time at Walker’s Point for fear it would be too disruptive to our tiny town. She wrote to say that she and everyone else thought that was ridiculous.
May 4, 1988
To California
Ms. Anne Phelps
Kennebunkport, Maine 04046
Dear Anne—
Your letter really gave me a lift. Barbara & I have been very worried about adversity affecting the peace & tranquillity of K’port. This year there will be more attention to us; and heaven knows what if I win in the Fall.
K’port is our anchor to windward. It’s where I totally relax. I get more pure joy out of watching our grandkids discover the wonders of nature in our tidal pools than I do in meeting the Kings & Queens of the world.
We hate to think that we might cause others who feel the same way we do to have less enjoyment in this special place.
What a very kind and loving letter you sent me.
Sincerely,
George
I sent this letter to my siblings and our children:
May 9, 1988
Mrs. Alexander E. Ellis
Lincoln Center, Massachusetts 01773
Dear Nan,
We are about to sail into uncharted waters, in terms of family scrutiny. We’ve all been through a lot of inquiry and microscopic probing; however, it’ll get worse, not just for our family, but for Dukakis,14 too. Hence this letter to family.
. . . As we move closer to November, you’ll find you’ve got a lot of new friends. They may become real friends. Or if the polls show Dukakis kicking us—there might be some friendships that will vaporize. They’ll ask for things—“Do you know anyone at Commerce? Can you call Joe Doakes at State?”
My plea is this: Please do not contact any federal agency or department on anything. A call from a “Bush” will get returned, but there is a great likelihood that it will be leaked; maybe deliberately misrepresented.
If there is a legitimate inquiry, call my office. It is certainly appropriate to contact your own government, but let’s do it through my office so no one can accuse any of the family of trying to use influence.
I know I must sound very defensive, but—believe me—every effort will be made to find some phone call, some inquiry, some letter that can be made to appear improper.
Soon the election will be at hand, and then you will not have to put up with preachy letters from your brother, as in this case, maybe.
Devotedly,
GB
P.S. Please keep me advised of any press calls. It is important that our communications people know who is working what story.
May 15th
Sunday, Medford, Oregon—driving from Medford to the Rogue River. It’s a beautiful day, and we’re driving through beautiful timbered hills. The sun is out, and it makes me feel even more strongly that I don’t “fear the future.” There is so much to see and so much to do in this beautiful country of ours, and somehow on a day like this, it makes me cope better with the political pressures.
I talked to Mother at 7:00 am our time and she was so sweet and said, “Oh George, I always feel much better after talking to you, because I worry about all those nasty things they say about you. Today, it is the fact that you have four names,” she said, “and I will take the full blame for that.” She is so sweet and so loving and so protective as a mother. I keep explaining to her not to worry. Today I told her there are only five and a half months to go, and it’s going to get worse. There will be uglier things said—meaner, nastier things and even from friends—so let’s just do our best and don’t worry about it. . . .
May 18th
. . . I’ve become more convinced than ever that the Noriega deal is terrible.15 It will go down bad; it’s wrong for our country; it sends the wrong signals to the drug pushers; and it’s almost an Iran situation—doing that which we said we wouldn’t do.16 I make some comment in a speech that I wouldn’t deal with drug dealers—domestic or foreign—and people take it as a break with Reagan on Noriega which to some degree it is. I hate doing this, and I don’t feel comfortable with it! I like the President so much, and yet, he’s wrong on this one.
I gave a good drug speech at the L. A. police department, and we had good talks with the Chief of Police, Daryl Gates. We went to the crack house and see the ugly slum surroundings, and yet meet [people] with guts and courage and toughness to fight . . . It’s depressing and discouraging but it’s heroic. I go to the police department and see close to a billion dollars worth of crack and heroin picked up by the cops and lying on a shelf attended by a sergeant. Thank God for those who turn in the cash and fight the drugs. And yet, here we are in Washington about to make a deal with a drug dealer. I think it stinks.
On Thursday, I’m back in Washington, and I get the word that . . . Noriega decides for the deal. My heart sinks, and I can just see it as a major catastrophe. Howard [Baker] says I ought to go down and see the President so I did, and I strongly urged that he call our [negotiator] home. I gave him encouragement to call the damn thing off, but he doesn’t see any other way to get this job done. I keep telling him, “You just don’t know what this is going to do to law enforcement.”
Leon Kelner, the U.S. Attorney from Miami, was in my office at that very moment, waiting to tell me about the deal. I told the President that, and he said, “I wonder if Kelner realizes that we can’t enforce the indictment, and that there is no other way to get the job done.”
The President’s mind is firmly made up, but I go down and see Kelner and he makes a dramatic pitch that this will be seen as a total cop-out, and that these are the people who put poison into the kids. Noriega is a murderer and drug dealer, and how can you believe him when he says he’ll leave after we drop the indictment on August 10th. He says it will demoralize the department. I said, “What do the people in the office think?” He said, “Can I be honest with you? “They think the President is covering up for you, and that Noriega has something on you.” I said, “They have nothing,” and this makes it worse.17 . . .
May 22nd
I have made the case as strongly as I can based on policy and politics, and the President has been adamant. In fact, he got sore a time or two, and I cannot present it more forcefully than making the point that dropping the indictment would be terrible . . . I point out—not just at this meeting but to the others—that Noriega claims to have the goods on me, and that in itself puts me in a terrible position. But that much more importantly, we’re going to devastate our law enforcement community; we’re going to send the wrong signal to the U.S. Attorneys all around; we’re going to say that you can drop indictments even without plea bargaining.
. . . The President looked at me three times and said, “George, I’ll make this up to you; I’ll go out and make people understand,” etc. I don’t think he can on this one, and I will not go out and argue v
ociferously against it. Once the deal is made, I can’t start doing now that which I haven’t been willing to do . . .
This is the most difficult decision process I’ve seen since I’ve been here and much more so than Iran—not expo facto, but at the time. The meeting lasted for an hour and fifteen minutes upstairs at the White House, the President in his White House tennis suit. He was very sweet and nice, and it’s a tough decision for him; but he’s determined, and my protestations were to no avail.18
I answered some questions about my wife for a reporter working on a profile of Barbara:
5-23-88
Re: Your questions—
Nothing irritates me about BPB. When you have been married 43 years there isn’t any irritation. We seldom even argue, and when we do it’s over in a hurry.
Yes, best friend—I can talk to her about what bothers me. When the kids are down or the grandchildren have problems we can talk about these things share our views with one another. Family is the key to an awful lot. She is very close to my mother. Bar is seen as the strong woman of our family. My mother, older now (87 almost), is still the anchor to windward for all family members of whatever generation—she is their idol; but Barbara will be the next generation’s idol.
Secret successful marriage—give and take. Respect for the other guys opinions. Give each other some elbow room in terms of not insisting on doing what you want to do.
She has enhanced my life and career by caring, by loving, by supporting. She has her own array of interests—garden, literacy, grandkids, her love of our house in Maine, needle point, reading herself, reading to the children, now grandchildren. She likes to exercise. She does all these things but remains interested in what I am doing. She is on the Board of Morehouse [School of Medicine] in Atlanta—she does heartfelt work for leukemia and other causes. But she never loses interest in family or in how I am feeling about things. If I am down she cares a lot.
Nothing annoys me about her—nothing at all. There is no single thing I like most about her. It all comes together, her laugh, her beauty, her caring, her love, her being with me through thick or through thin. In the early days we moved a lot. In the Navy, base to base, then to New Haven for 21/2 years then out to West Texas, then to Whittier Cal., then Ventura, Bakersfield, Compton, then back to Midland, then 8-10 years later to Houston, then to Washington, but never a complaint, never a selfish word.