In March, a young and energetic Lee Atwater passed out while giving a speech. It was discovered that he had a nonmalignant brain tumor, which would eventually claim his life. I wrote him this note after he sent me a wonderful letter about our friendship:
6-14-90
Dear Lee,
I was touched—deeply moved—by your letter.
I am so proud of you and Sally, too
We need you badly, but take all the time you need to fight and win.
I’m at your side with all our family love coming your way.
Life is values—and one of those is “class”—not in a elitist sense but in a life its ownself sense. You’ve got it—
Love from all Bushes,
GB
June 15th
On Flag Day, I went to the Vietnam Memorial at 6:30 a.m. I presented a flag that’s been flown over the White House, and then gave the one flying at the park to a boy scout, a young black kid named Wilson, who presented his father, a fine looking guy, and gave his father credit for what “I am today”—a 13 year old straight arrow Boy Scout. Helen Thomas28 kept yelling at me—“What are you here for? What are you doing?” I did not answer. It was a solemn occasion and when I do go to the Vietnam Memorial, and this is about the third time, I feel tears welling up in my eyes especially when you look at the little cards, flowers, crosses laid up against the memorial, and the little messages of “we love you.” There were some 55,000 lives lost. . . .
It was a beautiful morning. The flag looked spectacular, and I hope we’re not going to be accused of demagoguing this day which is Flag Day, USA. But in any event, I think the American people do understand. . . .
My big moment in horseshoes—“I’m back.”29 I beat Ron 21 to nothing in a little exhibition match . . . Ron couldn’t believe it, and frankly, he didn’t have a chance to warm up. I think he was nervous with the little crowd that was gathered. At dinner, Buddy and George30 both mentioned to me, “You didn’t tell us you beat Ron.” I told them that the ranking committee had already agreed that Ron gets another shot at me. Anyway, Walter Mitty is back. I couldn’t miss. I was as good as I was bad the horrible day Marvin and I lost to the engineers. . . .
Democratic Congressman Dante Fascell of Florida, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote me a supportive note about Neil and the testimony he gave on the Hill about his involvement with Silverado:
July 12, 1990
Dear Dante,
I can’t begin to tell you how much your comment to me about our son meant to me.
I have a Dad’s understandable instinct of wanting to defend his son. I believe in my boy’s integrity and in his honor. I feel that in staying out of the fray I am letting down my kid who is very very close to me. I see him twisting and I see him worried that he is hurting me—and, yet, I know I must stay out of it in every way except to say “I believe in my son”—
This, too, will pass, but what will remain is that a kind friend, sensing the concern of a proud father, held out his hand of comfort. That really counts.
Your friend,
George
July 24th
If I didn’t have this budget deficit problem hanging over my head, I would be loving this job . . .
On July 26, I signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was really the world’s first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. I wrote this note to Mike Deland, head of the Council on Environmental Quality and a leader in the disabilities movement. Mike has never let his own disability diminish his outlook on life.
7-27-90
Friday—off to K’port
Michael Deland
Washington, D. C. 20005
Dear Mike,
Your note touched my heart. As I looked out at the audience yesterday, I was saying to myself “don’t choke up”—hang in there. As I walked out saying “hi” to you—I felt the Bush tears (we do cry a lot) coming on—tears of gratitude for your example, for your cheerful way and for your being at my side.
Yes, yesterday was special for so many—including me—your friend—
George Bush
August 2nd
6:00 a.m. I am in the Oval Office den. Brent came over at 5 confirming that Iraq had moved into Kuwait . . . they’re trying to overthrow the Emir. Yesterday evening about 9 I met with Scowcroft and there were scattered reports that Iraq had moved. There is little the U.S. can do in a situation like this, but this morning at 5:00 I sign an Executive Order freezing the assets of Kuwait and Iraq. Worry being that the Kuwait puppet government set up by Iraq would try to move billions of dollars out of Western banks and out of U.S. banks illegally. The Kuwaiti Ambassador agreed with this move.
I’m moving the fleet up early from [the Indian Ocean]. Saudis are concerned, and my view, all the GCC31 countries must be quaking in their boots. This is radical Saddam Hussein moving. . . .
August 5th
It has been the most hectic 48 hours since I have been President . . . the enormity of Iraq is upon me now. I have been on the phone incessantly . . . the bottom line is that the West is together. Japan’s Kaifu called me early Sunday morning to tell me that his Cabinet had acted on four major points. It boils down to cutting off everything economically with Iraq. . . .
On Saturday at Camp David we have a long briefing and we go over the military options—what can be done with augmented air power; what can be done and how long will it take to put the proper number of ground forces on the ground to repudiate any Iraqi attack.
August 6th
One of the most traumatic days of my Presidency.
I went to see Lee Atwater and he looked terrible. He has the courage to fight on. Brain swelling tumor may be under control, but who knows. . . . I am convinced they think he has very, very short time to live. I am very, very worried about our friend who is fighting with such conviction.
Big day regarding Iran and Iraq. Dick Cheney goes to see [Saudi Arabia’s] King Fahd and calls back. Fahd accepts [our offer] and invites our troops to come. I give him the order on the telephone this afternoon to alert and send the 82nd Airborne and to do the same with two tactical fighter squadrons, and then we start in with much more massive dispatch of troops. All kinds of questions abound. Margaret Thatcher was sitting in the office when Cheney called. I confided in her and asked her to tell no one. . . .
I have lunch with Tom Foley. I tell Tom that I am going to have to go forward and get out from behind the rock.32 I said the Democrats are laughing all the way to the bank. Ron Brown33 is being outrageous and I am looking like a sucker criticized by my own people and criticized by the Democrats. Foley cautioned me against going public saying it would undermine my leadership in this important Iraq crisis. I told him I didn’t think that was the case. He said Democrats and Republicans alike are giving me strong support on Iraq. I said, “I know, but they are also out carving me up in their various town meetings, selling out on taxes,” etc. . . .
I feel tension in the stomach and the neck. I feel great pressure, but I also feel a certain calmness when we talk about these matters. I know I am doing the right thing. . . .
8/10/90
FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO: MARLIN FITZWATER
CNN uses a picture of me that is printed backwards (hair parted on right).
Can you get them to use another. It’s the little one up in the right corner of the screen when my name is used.
(It’s weird—weirder than I really am!)
Thanks.
August 17th
. . . Bob Gates calls me and said the speaker of the Iraq Parliament said they were going to “detain foreigners” . . . They would place them in various facilities— he mentioned near oil dumps or chemical plants—whatever. Clearly putting them there so [the buildings] could not be bombed. Blatant hostage holding. Another blatant disregard of international law by a cruel and ruthless dictator. I cannot tolerate, nor will I, another Tehran. I am determined in that. It may cost American lives, but
we cannot sacrifice American principle and American leadership. . . .
On September 12, I addressed the people of Iraq—or at least we tried to pipe my translated remarks into the country using the Voice of America and other venues. I jotted down these notes on September 6, getting ready for the speech:
Some scribblings on my speech to Iraq
American people have no argument with the people or indeed Gov’t officials. Our argument is with one man S. Hussein.
Your beloved country violated International Law
S.H. took over a neighboring country.
An Arab country
A country that is a member of UN
This causes world outcry
Iraq was condemned by UN
Iraq’s strongest friends condemned its aggression.
Arab Countries condemned Iraq
SH is trying to make this Iraq vs US
Regrettably to the people of Iraq I tell you it is not Iraq vs. U.S. It is Iraq vs the entire United Nations.
Iraq hospitably is well known, but when your President holds thousands of innocent people, you are fundamentally violating Intl. Law. It is sad and sorrowful. You the people of Iraq are decent kind people but your country has now been condemned by the entire world.
Policies will not be changed by barbarian tactics.
September 7th
I do have a confident feeling here—maybe it’s the support from the American people—maybe it’s the fact that I have been intimately involved in the personal diplomacy with the leaders. Certainly it is the trust that I have in Brent Scowcroft, and Jim Baker, and Dick Cheney and Colin Powell and all our team that are intimately involved in this very dicey problem. . . .
Got a call at 7:30 this morning from Margaret Thatcher. She’s staunch and strong and stays in there and worries that there will be an erosion on force. She does not want to go back to the UN on use of force; nor do I. She does not want to compromise on the Kuwait government; nor do I.34
In essence, she has not “gone wobbly” as she cautioned me a couple of a weeks ago . . . I love that expression.
The importance of the United States leadership is brought home to me clearly. It’s only the United States that can lead. All countries in the West clearly have to turn to us. But it is my theory that the more they are included on the take-off, the more we get their opinion, the more we reach out no matter what is involved, in terms of time involved, the better it is. Everyone is proud. Everyone has his place in the sun—large country or small, they should be consulted, their opinions considered. Then when the United States make a move and I make a decision, we are more apt to have solid support. . . .
Saddam Hussein declared that I was a criminal and should stand trial in Iraq. The charges against me were (1) sending American troops to the Gulf region and occupying Moslem shrines; (2) threatening to attack Iraq; (3) imposing economic measures against Iraq; (4) issuing orders to the CIA to conspire against Saddam. I sent this tongue-in-cheek note to my friend and head of the White House Counsel’s Office, Boyden Gray:
9-9-90
FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO: Boyden Gray
Please get a visa and be ready to go to Baghdad to defend me on these 4 charges.
I can beat the third ‘rap’ by citing the UN.
The same would apply to sending troops but be sure you are ready to present my case on the “Shrines”. I am innocent.
They can never make rap #4 stick.
I am not worried, but please call me after the first day of the tribunal.
Should they not permit you to leave, wire home; and we will have someone temporarily hold down your job here.
Many thanks.
9-14-90
Boyden—
Get going. Time is running out! We must beat the rap. May Camels not violate your Mercedes!!
GB
September 25th
Budget is getting down to the crunch.35 . . . Republicans are nervous about it—everybody is nervous about it. But we simply have got to get a deal. We are being accused of being too rigid. But we’ve given on taxes, generally. And now, we’ve worked out a compromise on capital gains so it is not called capital gains but there is some incentive for growth. I make a strong, personal appeal to Rostenkowski, saying, “Look we’ve got to get this thing put to bed, now let’s go.” But they haven’t done their part on spending cuts either. They damn sure haven’t got what we want on budget reform. Tough go round. Tough, tough, tough.
But now we are getting into enormous game of who blinks first?
My problem is I don’t know whether our Republicans will stay with me. Some of them want to paint their asses white and run with the antelope, as Lyndon Johnson said. They want to do it right now. Isn’t that a marvelous image? From a very tired George Bush.
October 6th
I think this week has been the most unpleasant, or tension filled of the Presidency. More so than when we’re together going into Panama, or when we’re together moving on Iraq. Here we are divided. There’s name calling, and accusations—and I don’t like it. There’s a story in one of the papers saying that I am more comfortable with foreign affairs, and that is absolutely true. Because I don’t like the deficiencies of the domestic, political scene. I hate the posturing on both sides . . . [people] putting their own selves ahead of the overall good.
. . . It’s the damnedest pounding I’ve ever seen, but I will just have to hang in there and do my best. I feel a little more tranquil than I thought I would feel—a little more relaxed. It’s tough when you don’t control the Congress. . . .
If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog, and I sure have a good one.
We did get a budget deal, one that included a tax increase but also accomplished my number one goal of getting spending under control. On October 5, the House voted it down.
October 15, 1990
The Honorable Jim Lightfoot
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Jim,
I am off to do what you suggested I do. Take my case out across the country—5 states (including yours36) in 2 days. My case will be Congress must act now. I respectfully suggest I am not in the Beltway Mentality, as you call it. The pundits and the critics love all this battling—they love it best when Republicans FIGHT A Republican President . . . The real news—man bites dog—is when the leaders in the President’s party stand against the President.37 I understand this. It is essential we get a good budget deal. It will not be as good a budget deal as I want or as good as what we have proposed; but it is essential that we get a deal. . . . One sees today the pounding I am taking and the White House is taking, but I will not take the advice now being given by many who wish us ill—namely that I attack other Republicans. Candidly, I have resented some of the attacks on the White House by some Republicans; but I learned long ago this goes with the territory.
I will now head off to “get on with the business of making Congress responsive to the American People.”
Thanks, old friend. I trust you will treat this letter as a confidential personal letter from one who respects you and values your friendship.
All Best,
George
I wrote this letter to Kathleen Darman. Dick was getting pounded by the press and by Congress, and I thought she might need a little moral support.
10-17-90
It’s 10AM Do you know where your Congress is?
Dear Kath,
I’m back from a 2 day 5 state swing—and oh how true it is that happiness is being outside the Beltway. Anyway, as I was ‘roughing it’ on AF-I last night (Grand Rapids to D. C.) I got to thinking that inspite of the flak, I’m a very lucky guy.
That brings me to one Dick Darman—and that brings me to you, because I know you’ve been hurt by some unkind, unfair arrows aimed at Dick’s back.
First—Dick has done a superb job on the budget. He came up with a deal, after months of labor, that would have been good for our count
ry. He negotiated superbly—When you’re out gunned you better have more brainpower and ingenuity than the opposition—and with Dick, Nick [Brady], John [Sununu] we sure did.
Washington loves to kick people. The press thrives on blame or on who’s up, who’s down!!
The politicians want to be sure they emerge blameless, unscathed, untouched by compromises. But Dick and the others were trying to do something for our country & to help me govern—to make something happen. And the reward?—a few crappy little barbs from “friends” and opponents.
OK, why this note?
1. I don’t like friends and family to get bruised
2. My confidence in and my respect for Dick is higher than ever. You see he simply knows more about this than anyone else, and he has always kept my interest in the forefront.
So don’t let the bastards get you down. The CW song says it best: “If we’re gonna see a rainbow we’ll have to stand a little rain”.
You’re a caring loving person and Barbara & I don’t like it when you feel the pain that too often goes with public service.
Dick Darman is A 1!! So there!!
Con Afecto—
George Bush
October 17th
. . . Had dinner with Brent Scowcroft. Talked about how we get things off center in the Middle East. I feel that these two problems, the budget deficit and the Middle East are large—overwhelming in a sense—and yet I feel I can handle it. Because I go back to “do your best.” Nobody is particularly happy with me. Our support is eroding in the Middle East, and the budget is a loser. But some way I have got to convey to the American people that I will try my hardest, and doing my best. Don’t want a terrible deal to take place, but don’t want to be off in some ideological corner falling on my sword and keeping the country from moving forward.
All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings Page 52