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

by George H. W. Bush

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  January 7, 1989

  Mr. Willie Morris41

  Oxford, Mississippi 38655

  Dear Willie,

  . . . Tough days ahead, but I am now getting excited about moving down the hall and getting to work. If it weren’t for the damned deficit I’d be kicking up my heels and feeling like a Spring colt. I do feel that the potential out there for a more peaceful world is pretty good. I’ll work hard, after proper review, to move our relations with the Soviets along on a prudent course. I am very impressed with Mr. Gorbachev. I will not neglect our own hemisphere, but an easy answer for Nicaragua and Panama is not on the radar screen.

  At home I’ll push for a “kinder gentler” nation, but for those who measure a commitment to that solely in terms of federal money there may be disappointment (deficit deficit deficit).

  See, what I want to do is confound my old friend Ronnie Dugger42 by doing a good job, by caring, by reaching out. Having said that, Ronnie may have to wait for the full impact because there ain’t no dough around for the Feds to do all some would like—as a matter of fact to do all I would like to get done.

  Why unload all this on you, when I simply write to say “Thanks and Good luck”.

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  January 16th [1989]

  People say, “What does it feel like? Are you ready, can you handle it? What do you do?” The answer, “Family, faith, friends, do your best, try your hardest, rely on your innate good sense, kindness, and understanding of the American people.” That is where a President gets his strength, I’m sure of it. No one can have instant success, no one can make this nation kinder and gentler overnight, but we can try.

  January 17, 1988

  The last day in [the vice president’s] house—the longest we’ve been in any dwelling since we’ve been married . . .

  Now the reality settles in that I’ll be President of the United States. Today at noon—72 hours away.

  January 18th, 1989

  An Open Letter to the Clergy:

  Barbara and I believe it is most fitting that the events of my Inauguration as President conclude in an ecumenical service of prayer and thanksgiving. In the Nation’s Capital, this Service will be part of the regular morning worship on Sunday, January 22, at the Washington Cathedral. We are grateful to the Right Reverend John T. Walker, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, who has invited us to share in this time of praise and renewal.

  Dan Quayle and I very much hope that this Service will be part of similar observances of prayer and thanksgiving throughout our Country. We ask you to join us through your service of worship on Inaugural weekend by using elements of the National Service. We will be united in praise to God for the blessings which have endowed our Nation and in asking for leadership as we face the challenges of the future.

  Worship is basic to my own life. Our family has endeavored to uphold our faith by participation in the life of our Church. I am particularly pleased that the American Bicentennial Presidential Inaugural will end on a note of asking God’s guidance on the new beginning which opens before us.

  As the bells ring across our land on January 22, may their joyous sound express our gladness for the blessings the Lord has given and equally express our renewed commitment to seeking goodwill and peace among all peoples.

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  THE WHITE HOUSE

  WASHINGTON

  CHAPTER 12

  “Mr. President”

  On January 20, I was sworn in as the forty-first President of the United States. The next day, I dictated to my diary:

  January 21st

  The big day came and went. . . . The day was cold, not as pretty as the day before, but as we were riding up to the Hill, the President said, “When I became the Governor of California, just as I placed my hand on the Bible, the sun came through and warmed it.” And sure enough, while we were on the platform, the sun started through. . . .

  We were a couple of minutes late taking the Oath, but no one noticed. The speech went about 20 minutes, and it was well received. Congress liked it. We’ve got to find ways to do this compromise, “kinder nation, gentler world.” . . .

  The balls—going around to 14 different events, I think 10 hotels or 11 hotels—it was too much. We were just exhausted when we got home. When we got back, I had that almost so tired you couldn’t sleep feeling and I knew that at 8:00 this morning, we had to greet the first group of people who stayed out all night to get to be one of a handful of several thousand people to go through the White House.

  I loved that part. Young people and old, so grateful that they had a chance to go through the White House. Even though they had to stay out all night, they get to do it. It’s interesting in that regard how people view their country—it’s wonderful indeed. . . .

  I feel comfortable in the job. I’m not quite used to being called, “Mr. President.” Beautiful winter day, January 21st—clear, sunny, cold. The People’s House, the Family’s House—it is great.

  Then it was down to business. One of my first and biggest challenges was the huge federal deficit ($170 billion when I took office), brought on by years of uncontrolled spending by the government. I was convinced the well-being of our country depended on getting it under control. However, I knew it would not be an easy task, especially since I would have to work closely with the Democrat-controlled Congress. Unfortunately, I had the great honor of being the first President in years to have the opposition party control both houses of Congress during his entire presidency.

  January 21, 1989

  The Honorable Jim Wright

  Speaker of the House of Representatives

  Washington, D. C. 20515

  Dear Jim:

  Yesterday, in my Inaugural Address, I suggested that together we should begin the process of working to achieve a deficit reduction plan—and that we should do so soon. I had previously stated that I would lead such an effort on behalf of the Executive branch and that I would begin the process promptly upon taking office.

  In accord with that commitment and our discussions, I extend to you today an invitation to join me in a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, January 24. At that meeting, I would hope we could discuss how best to proceed toward deficit reduction. I would also like to take the opportunity to follow up on suggestions made by you and your colleagues on ways we can move towards effective bipartisan support for our foreign policy.

  In addition, I would like to confirm my request, which you indicated could be honored, for the opportunity to address a joint session of the Congress on Thursday, February 9.

  Again, let me say how much I look forward to our working together on these critical issues. I am sure the American people expect that concerns of such national import should be tackled in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation, and am hopeful that we may prove worthy of the confidence they have placed in us.

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  On February 7 our family grew once again, when Ashley Walker Bush—grandchild number eleven—was born to Neil and Sharon.

  Feb. 7, 1989

  Miss Ashley Walker Bush

  c/o Mr. and Mrs. Neil M. Bush

  Denver, Colorado 80218

  Dear Ashley,

  On this the first day of your life, your old grandfather sends you his love. Today was the day after my Savings & Loan proposal;1 the day of my visit to Capitol Hill to see a lot of Congress Members; 2 days before my speech to the nation—but on this day of your birth, I’m thinking of you. You have 2 great parents, an older sister who will teach you and a brother who will protect you. You have grandparents who love you a lot already. Welcome, welcome to this big loving family—I am a happy Gampy because you’re here.

  Devotedly,

  George Bush (formal!!)

  On February 9 I did address a joint session of Congress, outlining my plan for the country, “Building a Better America.” Even the Presiden
t worries about getting the jitters.

  February 9th

  . . . I wasn’t nervous at all. I could communicate with different people in the audience once I got started. I caught Rosty’s2 eye; I caught the eye of Jesse Helms3 and some of our guys; caught the eyes of Sonny Montgomery;4 and I felt relaxed once I got started. . . .

  Interrupted by applause a lot—speech went well. My voice held out,5 although I had to drink some water; but I felt in command and in control, no nervousness—it was almost like coming home. I recognize there’s going to be a lot of criticism of the budget, but that is nothing to be surprised about.

  Went home and drank a beer with Marv and Doro. . . .

  All left-handed people immediately considered the new left-handed President a friend. After all, we left-handers have to stick together. A writer asked me to jot down a few words that she could include in a musical she had written, called Left Out.

  February 13, 1989

  Ms. Narcissa Campion

  Brookline, Massachusetts 02146

  Dear Narcissa,

  I’m sorry this quote is probably too late for your play, but maybe you can find a way to use it later.

  Being left-handed is no different than being short or tall, young or old, blond or brunette. Things can have more advantages or disadvantages, depending more on your outlook. Left-handed is great if you’re a first baseman. Of course, you’ve got to be careful not to smear things when you write. I don’t think anyone’s ever held it against me to be left-handed, though. Besides, sometimes the seat at the end of the dinner table is a better place to be! . . .

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  I had nominated Senator John Tower to be secretary of defense. Not only did I think he would do an outstanding job, I also assumed his nomination would glide through the Hill for two good reasons: he was more than qualified for the job, and Congress is usually kind to its own. I could not have been more wrong. He was getting hammered, mainly as a result of rumors about his personal life. I wrote my friend Charley Bartlett:

  February 21, 1989

  Honorable Charles L. Bartlett

  Washington, D. C. 20036

  Dear Charley,

  Thanks for your most encouraging and supportive letter of February 11. I am going to stand with Tower all the way, and I am confident he will make it. I have never seen such a campaign of innuendo, vicious rumor and gossip in my entire life. . . . I am not considering alternatives.

  Warm regards,

  George

  On February 23, Barbara and I attended the funeral of Emperor Hirohito. It was a controversial decision, especially among veterans’ groups, given the emperor’s role in World War II. But Japan now is one of our strongest allies, and I was convinced it was the right thing to do. I dictated to my diary:

  February 24th

  A big day at the funeral. It was ice cold. The Chairman of Ghana (Rawlings), sitting a row behind me, gave me his cashmere scarf. I said, “I can’t accept that.” He said, “You must.” It saved my life. People were coughing and drippy. The funeral service was run to perfection—every footprint raked every so often. Great long curtains covering the official mourners; short speeches; endless procession of priests presenting the late Emperor’s worldly goods to the altar, and then taking them all away again. Weird costumes out of history—majestic and somber. The new Empress, dignified—she looked like a black swan. Her neck bent forward; dress reached all the way to the ground, and a long full veil following behind.

  My mind raced back to the Pacific. I did think of my fallen comrades . . . here I was, President of the United States, paying respects to the man who was the symbol of everything that we hated. A man whose picture was always shown to keep us all together, fighting hard. Endless pictures of Japanese soldiers cutting off the heads of prisoners or firing the coup de grace against thousands as they were dumped into the graves alive, all in the name of Hirohito. And here we were, paying tribute to him, a gentle man indeed. A man who decided to come see MacArthur and whom MacArthur properly did not try as a war criminal—amazing. . . .

  After leaving Japan, we flew to China for an emotional two-day visit. In addition to meeting with the Chinese leaders, Barbara and I saw many old friends and even got a chance to visit our old church. However, we got caught up in a terrible controversy when the American embassy invited one of the leading dissidents in China, Fang Lizhi, to attend a Texas barbecue we were hosting. I dictated to my diary:

  February 27th

  . . . We had a good Texas barbecue; big Texas flag; the Navy country music gang played; checkered tablecloths; bandannas around the necks of the waiters; White House China for the head table, including the [Woodrow] Wilson plates; and it was a very relaxing, friendly evening. I leaned over and thanked [Premier] Li Peng for his understanding and he said, “We may need your help later on.” I took this to mean that they may get a great deal of flack for attending the same banquet with dissident Fang. The room was crowded, several hundred people. I didn’t ask which one was Fang, because I was sitting next to the Chinese [leaders] and didn’t have any opportunity to do so. All of our people assumed he was at the banquet. It was this morning, Monday, that we find out the Chinese stopped his car; detained him from taking a taxi; kept the buses from picking him up; and all in all, made sure he wasn’t going to be at the banquet. We end up with the worst of worlds out of this. Newspapers are all over the story, “human rights abuse.” They won’t point out that two of the dissidents were there, and that China has come a long way. China overplayed their hand and I expressed my regret to Deputy (Vice) Premier Wu at the airport. And now we’re scurrying around trying to figure out how to handle it with our press. In the long run, it will not obscure the substance of the visit with the Chinese; but it is not a good thing, and the press will have a field day—“don’t know how to handle things,” on top of “being dogged by Tower”—this incident mars the visit.

  March 13, 1989

  His Royal Highness Sadruddin Aga Khan

  Chateau de Bellerive

  Switzerland

  Dear Sadri:

  . . . Things have been a little hectic lately with the Tower matter dominating the news coverage,6 but I am very pleased with the overall progress. The problems are enormous but we’ve made some sound proposals; and when we finish our foreign policy and defense reviews, we’ll have some more solid proposals to make. I’ll be darned if Mr. Gorbachev should dominate world public opinion forever.7 His system has failed and it’s democracy that’s on the march. . . .

  Sincerely,

  George

  March 14, 1989

  The Honorable Lee Atwater8

  Republican National Committee

  Washington D. C.

  Dear Lee:

  Today your character will be ridiculed. Your taste will be assaulted. Your shortcomings will be exaggerated and laughed at. And your self-respect is going to be violated. And that’s just from your friends! In other words, they will do to you what you did to Governor Dukakis for five months. So don’t count on any help when the Democrats have their turn. They’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

  But, Lee, I’ve known you for a long time too. You know how to take the heat, and you know how to take the humor. So when the comic characterizations get fierce today, don’t get angry, don’t lose your temper—just remember: Kinder, gentler.

  Sincerely,

  George Bush

  We had sent Millie back to her original owner, our good friend Will Farish, to have her bred. We were amazed at the attention paid to the blessed event: the birth of her six puppies.

  March 20th

  Millie had her puppies, and it was a beautiful moment Friday night. I saw one born, and it was very, very moving. Before all this, Millie looked confused and I kind of felt she was wondering what was happening to her, but then the babies started coming. I saw number four being born. She cleaned them off, tucked them in comfortably next to her, looked over at each one, and now on
this Monday, she’s a caring, loving, and experienced Mother. If one goes too far away, she nudges him over; she rolls him over; and cleans him up. She’s feeding them, and the milk has come in, so she’s looking baggier. She looks at us with soulful eyes. When she goes out to run, she does just like the old Millie—though not quite as fast—but then gets restless and wants to be back next to her puppies. . . .

  March 22nd

  . . . I just want to get progress on the budget, Savings and Loan, the ethics bill, the education bill, and the re-evaluation so we can move out in front of Gorbachev.9 We cannot let him continue to erode our standing in Europe. Eastern Europe offers an opportunity and it’s all a tremendous challenge and I’m loving every minute of it.

  Newt Gingrich10 is elected Whip. The question is—will he be confrontational; will he raise hell with the establishment; and will he be difficult for me to work with? I don’t think so. I called him and congratulated him. He’s going to have to get along to some degree, and moderate his flamboyance. He will be a tough competitor for the Democrats, but I’m convinced I can work with him and I want to work with him. He’s a very bright guy, an idea a minute, but he hasn’t been elected President and I have. . . .

  March 27, 1989

  The Honorable William F. Buckley

  National Review

  New York, New York 10016

  Dear Bill:

  Now that the dust has settled, I want to thank you for all you did over the last month or so in behalf of my nomination of John Tower to be Secretary of Defense. I am convinced we did the right thing by standing behind this nomination. We were fighting to protect a President’s right to have his own team, and we were fighting for the honor of a decent man and a friend of all of ours.

  Although I am disappointed about the Senate’s vote on John Tower, I am thrilled about our new Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney.