All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings
Page 44
The line in your letter that really hit home was the one where you expressed your view that you personally were being “singled out for retribution.” This cannot be—must not be.
When I got your letter yesterday, I called Jim Baker and reviewed this matter with him.
My suggestions is that you call him, sit down with him, and work out whatever it takes to be sure you personally are treated with total fairness and given unfettered journalistic access.
I know they didn’t teach “retribution” at A&M27 for I know and respect the real values taught there.
My position is not based on “retribution.” Getting even is not a part of my make-up. I also know there is a personal risk to me in all this. But I do not want your editors to totally misjudge my character once again.
I know, Tom, just as sure as you know, that your editors made a cool, calculated decision. They took a reporter’s story and drastically changed it by inserting time and again a most prejudicial word—one that dramatically changed the reporter’s view of my character. No one can argue about their right to do so. When a reporter’s story is radically changed in a way that is demeaning and in a way that attacks character, surely you do not want me to reward such a decision by giving that publication favored treatment. Surely you don’t want me to prove them right all along by rolling over and singling them out granting them access and special inside, off-the-record handling not granted to others.
Fair access, unfailing courtesy, benefit of the doubt—yes; but proving their “Big W” point—never.
But back to my respected friend—Tom DeFrank. I’ll be damned if I’ll diminish a friendship over this sorry matter; and I’ll be damned if you’ll be diminished professionally.
Work something out with Jim, but don’t prove those nameless editors right all along.
I’ll give him a copy of this letter which I trust you will consider personal—
Con Afecto
George B.
In addition to the nonstop travel, we also began to prepare for two debates against Dukakis. I am not a big fan of debates—they are more show business than anything else. Nevertheless, they have become a part of our political process.
9-18-88
Sunday Evening 9 PM
TO:
JAB III28 EYES ONLY
RE:
PHONE CALLS WITH NIXON AND FORD
FROM:
THE VICE PRESIDENT
I called both former Pres’s tonight to check in and get ‘advice.’
Both very friendly. Both send best to you.
Both say—Don’t get over prepared for debates—take time off.
RN: It isn’t the substance it’s the appearance. Stay cool etc look rested take at least two days off without briefings and staff pounding away at you.
Ford: Take deep breath before answering question—Think carefully before each answer. Take time/Do not try to overprepare on statistics etc.
Just FYI.
GB
Ray Siller was one of Johnny Carson’s talented joke writers. He occasionally would send me lines to use. I sent him this SOS:
Sept. 19, 1988
Wisconsin
Dear Ray,
On the road constantly.
I need an opening joke or two about: “speaking before the meal—then leaving”.
I am doing a lot of that now. People then go on to eat their meals and the Senator/Congressman/Governor speaks after the meal.
It can tie in to being “mercifully brief—know you’re hungry” or “first course before even the olives”.
But it is a little awkward this speaking & leaving while everyone else stays for dinner.
Any thoughts?
Things look pretty good. I’ll stay on the trail then catch my breath after Nov. 6th.
Thanks
George
[It wasn’t until I became President that Ray helped me solve this problem. He then sent me this line: “The food taster is facedown in the salad.” It always got a good laugh.]
September 23rd
All the news coverage on the major networks is about the debates, and here I sit one of two people to be involved in this before an entire nation. The pressure is mounting, but I feel fairly relaxed. I’m dictating this Friday night, and I’m tired because we got in at 1:30 a.m. from Texas and I was up for an early breakfast; but I don’t feel terrified about the issues. . . . Bar has been off in Connecticut, and the little girls are staying here. It’s fun, but I’m very tired.
[The first debate, held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, came and went without incident and I felt I did pretty well.]
Sept. 26, 1988
enroute to Tenn. From N.C.
President Jimmy Carter
Plains, Georgia 31780
Dear Mr. President,
Barbara and I send to you and all your close family our sincere condolences. I am very close to my three brothers. Billy’s death must hurt a lot—I sense that. I feel it.
Our respects and family love to you.
I expect your grief is tempered by your certain knowledge that with the battle over, Billy is indeed in God’s loving arms—
Respectfully,
George
Oct. 8th
I’m not looking forward to the debate29 too much, at least today, but that’s because I’m tired and I have a cold. Some time off tomorrow, though I do have to go and be in a parade in Chicago.
The polling is looking pretty good—about even, ours says—but one or two of them have us slightly ahead. The electoral states are looking pretty good, and I should be more optimistic; but I’m not—nervous, fingers crossed.
Dinner at our house with just the [Dick] Moores and the Simpsons. Al Simpson30 and Anne are two down-to-earth, decent, wonderful people and, of course, Dick and Esther are dear friends. It’s funny with friends, close friends—you shift gears, you relax, and you forget the tensions. I played the tape of Marvin’s speech to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation in Cleveland, and tears came to my eyes; in fact, they streamed down my cheeks. . . . I heard our son talk about love, strength and courage. It wasn’t in an ostentatious way, but in a caring, loving way, and here I am 31 days short of knowing whether I will be the next President of the United States, but that was gone.
What mattered was, in this case, Marvin Bush and what he had been through; his confessional and his trying to help others after experiencing a trauma in his life; and confessing to a group of 2,000 people what mattered; what really was important; and I’m sitting there after a wonderful dinner listening to my son, and all these issues are swirling around, but in my mind I’m saying, “This is what matters—this boy’s strength, his love of his wife, of his little daughter, and of his mother and dad—that’s what really matters in life.” So if it works in a month from this very day, fine; but if it doesn’t, I can say flip the page and move on into the future, and know you’re a very lucky guy. . . .
October 13th
The debate is over, and I do feel much more relaxed. The panelists came across with strong questions but no hostility, and that made a difference. I felt better prepared for the subjects . . . once I got out there, I relaxed, smiled and looked at the audience, and I felt much more comfortable than before.
October 14th
The speechwriters hand me a couple of red meat speeches—one for an environmental thing with several more subtle digs at Dukakis, and then a rally speech that was too negative, negative, negative; but I sent it back and said, “Please don’t hand me this crap.” It was totally out of sync with what we want to be doing.
Oct. 18, 1988
flying Missouri to Detroit
Mr. Craig Stapleton
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Dear Debbie, Craig, Walker, and Wendy31—
. . . I am glad that debate is over. I am glad the polls look better; but I wish the election were now—today this minute.
I am getting a little tired and I’d like it to be a summer day in Maine with a hot “sh
oes” match on at the Stapleton Memorial pit—
With tennis action—
With the pool full of bodies—old saggy bodies then sylphs like Wendy, too.
Even with that wretched little short haired dog that barks and turns circles near the diving board.32
You see when the day ends out here on this seemingly endless trail—it’s family and friends that matter—
Love
GB
October 25th
. . . I went down to the gym and worked out. I saw this guy kind of watching me. I said to someone after I finished my workout, “Do we know who that guy is?” They said, no, and I said, “He might be with the press so I think I’ll go into the steam room.” He then came into the steam room . . . so then I finished and went in to take my shower, and he confronted me. There we were naked as jay birds, and he said, “I don’t want to impose on your privacy, but I’m a member of the press, and I would like to ask a question.” I said, “Please don’t” but he went on and asked the question, “When is the next press conference?” I said, “Look, we’ve had 207 press conferences; we’ve averaged one every ten days since the convention; and I think that may be about it.” He went away, but I was furious. The guy should’ve at least worn his credentials around his neck even though he was bare-assed. I don’t know, it just didn’t seem fair—no privacy in that sense at all.
Nov. 4, 1988
Ms. Loretta Lynn
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Dear Loretta,
In about 72 hours I end my campaigning.
Before the polls open I just want to say thanks from me, from Barbara and from all the kids & grandkids.
You were magnificent out on the road.
Fingers crossed.
Love & thanks
George
Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Venice, California 90291
Dear Arnold,
What a great boost you gave my campaign. With only 72 Hours of campaigning left, I just want to say “Thanks, thanks, thanks”. Doro joins me in this—Barbara and the rest of our family too.
You really helped me and I am grateful.
Hope I’ll see you before the election; but in any event many thanks.
George Bush
November 7th
The day before the election, I wake up and do the four network interviews. Then the rally in Michigan; rally in Ohio; rally in Missouri; and now we’re off to the rally in Houston, Texas. . . .
I sat with Jim and talked to him about the future: about announcing him [as Secretary of State]; announcing John Sununu as Chief of Staff; but that will come a little later. . . .
I called Claude Payne at St. Martin’s and told him we would like to have a church service on Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. I do want to ask for the Lord’s help, encourage our staff and friends to go, thank God for our blessings; and quietly with some attention to our family faith, give thanks to God and ask for his support.
The election feels good to me and, yet, there is a nervousness. Dukakis is frantically going around the country, flying all night two nights in a row, and the poor guy will be dead. . . .
There is an apprehension and a nervous waiting, anxiety and recognition, but Wednesday it will be all or nothing, and the desire to do what’s right, do my best, and the recognition that it’s going to be extraordinarily difficult.
It’s fitting that we come back to Texas where I voted first 40 years ago almost to the day in West Texas. Then it was Dewey and Truman, and I remember the upset result, and I’m just hoping against hope that that same thing doesn’t happen again. I don’t know what we could do differently. The polls are strong, although there has been shrinkage in one or two of them; but the polls today are strong, and there hasn’t ever been a modern race where all of them have been that wrong. So we should win it, and then the real problems will begin. I can’t believe it’s almost over—I simply find it incredible and almost impossible to believe.
And just like that, it was over. We won a decisive victory, and as promised, I began my first day as President-elect by going to church.
Nov. 9, 1988
The Right Reverend Maurice M. Benitez
Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Houston, Texas 77002
Dear Ben,
Your being there today made our special service—extra special. Thanks for that. The awesome nature of what lies ahead is just beginning to sink in . . .
Sincerely,
George
Then, it was immediately to work. I was determined to have a good working relationship with Congress, which really was essential if I was to accomplish what I wanted to do.
November 10, 1988
TO:
CRAIG FULLER
FROM:
THE VICE PRESIDENT
I would like to meet with Bob Michel33 next week or the following week. Meeting location makes no difference. I think Michel leaves for a short vacation the day I get back—but work this out for a convenient time.
Also, I would like to meet with Jim Wright34 next week. Wright offered to come down to the White House. I said “no” that I would go to see him.
We talked about lunch but if that doesn’t fit, let’s just work out a meeting at the Speaker’s office at a convenient time.
November 21, 1988
The Honorable Zbigniew Brzezinski35
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
Washington, D. C. 20006
Dear Zbig:
I have now had a chance to think more about your memo of November 9.
I had not given a lot of thought to institutionalizing our Trans-Pacific Partnership. We have been looking at this area almost exclusively in a bilateral context. The importance of China is very clear to me. I’d love to return to China before Deng leaves office entirely. I feel I have a special relationship there.
I like your idea of a Pacific Rim summit and will ask Jim Baker to give this some serious consideration. Frankly, I think such a summit would help with Europe in a perverse sort of way.
Eastern Europe has a real chance now for more liberty if we handle their Soviet relationship properly.
On consultation with Congress, I meant what I said in the campaign about “bipartisanship,” and I have already written several Senators suggesting the very meetings that you suggest.
We are considering an early bilateral [meeting] with Japan; and as you have now seen, a meeting with Mexico’s new President 36 is set for tomorrow.
I will not neglect Canada.
Since your memo, Gorbachev has asked for and we have agreed to a meeting in New York.
I just want you to know I read your memo carefully and appreciate it.
Sincerely.
George Bush
Dec. 1, 1988
The Honorable Geraldine A. Ferraro
Forest Hills, New York 11375
Dear Gerry,
I mean—talk about a thousand points of light—your letter was the 1001st point. It brightened my day!37 It made me want to go out and kick _____ no, no, never again—
Love to all your family—We ached for you awhile back but I hope all’s well now—your family love came through strong and proud.38
Barbara sends her best, too—
George
Dec. 12, 1988
The Honorable Guy Molinari
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Guy,
After thinking seriously about the situation for days I have concluded that I should not go to Congress for my Cabinet Offices. You are superbly qualified and I’d love to have had you at my side; but I just can’t bring myself to deplete our ranks. You made the point, quite properly about working the Hill from the Cabinet as former Members; but I just feel I need our good people up there on the Hill—full time. In a way I hate to go this route; but overall I think it’s best—stay with me, pal.
George
[This was a tough decision for me as I
had some great friends in Congress who would have been terrific cabinet members. However, with the Democrats controlling both houses of Congress, I really needed them to stay on the Hill. However, it wouldn’t be long before I would have to change my mind on this.]
December 17, 1988
Frito-Lay Inc.
Nazareth, Pennsylvania 18064
To all at Frito-Lay-Nazareth:
My sincere thanks for those pork rinds and for the 17-signature card.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
George Bush
Dec. 25, 1988
Mrs. Henry L. Hillman
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
Dear Elsie,39
The Westminster Choir is on in the background, their lovely music of Christmas putting into focus for me what a lucky guy I am. A lot of it is family, a lot of it is friends. Thanks dear friend for your steadfast loyalty, your valued advice, your leadership—most of all for your friendship. Next year won’t be easy; but even when it’s real tough I’ll know there’s a hand full of close friends who really care.
Love to all your gang—
George
Dec. 29, 1988
F & M40—
The combination of wine cum bullhorn really hit the target for classic Xmas gift of ’88—you should see Bar come running when, wine in hand, I give her a command call through the bullhorn. It works—it’s miraculous—
Love and thanks
George
December 30, 1988
Mr. George G. Harris, Sr.
Houston, Texas 77001
Dear George,
Barbara and I appreciate very much your generous offer to help with our move next month. Fortunately, one of the advantages of being President is that the move is taken care of by the Government. You are thoughtful to offer, though, and we are grateful.
Warmest best wishes to you and yours for a great year ahead.