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

by George H. W. Bush

  The huge traveling squad mustered at Andrews. When the President arrived, we all headed for Amman—the two big 747’s went.

  Aboard AF I were four Members of Congress (Senators Stevens and Leahy, Reps. Bonior and Gilman).1

  The Halabys, divorced parents of Queen Noor,2 were there, as were Jim Wolfensohn of the World Bank, Under Secretary [Thomas] Pickering and a wide array of strap hangers from the White House and State—déjà vu. We were placed in the cabin normally given to the top staff—remember where Nunu and Marlin3 used to sit. It was quite comfortable. Joining the three former Presidents in there was NSC adviser Sandy Berger.

  Right after take-off, the President came in, sat down in Berger’s seat and gave us a very interesting tour d’horizon on all the world’s trouble spots. The man is good—a great grasp of facts, apparently an in-depth knowledge on the issues. I disagree with many of the administration’s positions that he outlined for us.

  The Clinton Administration has declared great foreign policy victories but turmoil and uncertainty still exist in a lot of the areas—Ireland, North Korea, Haiti, Kosovo, and certainly the Middle East are examples. But the point here is the President was impressive in his presentation and I can see more clearly how good he is at explaining his policies. He also has a way of making the questioner feel that he agrees with the questioner or at least that he understands when a different view is presented. . . .

  The bottom line here is that he was most cordial and so was his staff. I felt more at ease than I thought I would; but much of that came about because many of the crew on AF I were the same men and women who used to take care of us when we first got that magnificent plane. It seemed like a wonderful reunion in lots of ways.

  I enjoyed being in there with Presidents Ford and Carter. I know you all know what a warm spot I have in my heart for Mr. Decency, Jerry Ford. Carter could not have been nicer. I have big differences with him on some of his foreign policy views, but I found a lot of points of agreement, too—for example on the Middle East, for he shares my concerns about the rigidity of Netanyahu and the Likud in general.4

  Carter is an honorable man, a good-hearted man with deep religious convictions and a marvelous aura of kindness. As you could tell from his joining Ford in that call for censure, he shares my views about the way in which the office of the President has been disgraced.5

  In any event the trip over and back, though frightfully long, was not bad at all and, again, we were treated like Kings.

  In Amman we had a huge motorcade, each of the four U.S. Presidents being provided a USSS6 driven “limo.”

  We all drove to the Raghadan Palace complex. There we mixed and mingled with a most amazing and diverse collection of world leaders. Having attended three Moscow funerals for fallen leaders, I am not sure whether there were more heads of Government and State here in Amman or in Moscow; but the big difference here is that we were all under one roof. The 3 story palace was turned into a meeting place where some delegations tried to do some bilateral business, but which was used for the most part as a place for the world leaders simply to greet each other.

  It was name dropper’s paradise. With two Governors in our family, my name dropping credentials in the USA have, of late, gone down a little; but at this gathering I was a soaring eagle.

  I saw many friends and met some of the leaders who have come onto the scene since I left.

  Almost every one I talked to asked what the Governor of Texas is going to do, just as they all inquired “what’s it like to have two of your sons as Governor?”

  I did not meet the Iraqi or Iranian delegations. In fact I never saw them or if I did I didn’t identify them.

  I talked to P.M. Netanyahu, President Weizman, Challenger [Ehud] Barak and Shimon Peres—all from Israel. [Yitzhak] Mordechai was there but I did not meet him. Netanyahu was pleased to have brought those who are running against him on the 15 minute helicopter flight from Israel.

  George, President Weizman and P.M. Netanyahu volunteered that you had made a very favorable impression in Israel. President Mubarak of Egypt said essentially the same thing. All with whom I spoke hoped that you will run—amazing breadth to this sentiment. It was more than being nice to an old father—me.

  I saw Yeltsin7 sitting on a couch. His aides pulled him to his feet. His face truly lit up as he asked about your Mom and greeted me with a huge bear hug. He looked very badly, but in our brief and extraordinarily friendly conversation he seemed to be totally lucid.

  I visited with all the Gulf leaders—all friends of mine. Among them Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain’s Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Sultan Qaboos of Oman, Prince Mohammed of the Emirates, the Crown Prince of Kuwait. I even had a long chat with Yemen’s President Saleh whom I know quite well, a man who I had visited in Sana’a but with whom I got cross-threaded when Yemen sided with Saddam Hussein.

  I even had a nice chat with President Assad of Syria, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Japan. Also President Chirac of France, and my old friends Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Juan Carlos of Spain and the Aga Khan. Demirel, President of Turkey, Crown Prince of Morocco, Sweden and Norway’s royalty, you name it—they were all there.

  I met Tony Blair for the first time—a most attractive young man. I also had a long talk with Prince Charles who remembered most pleasantly his visits to Washington and Camp David when I was President. I did not ask about Camilla . . . after all, I was a diplomat.

  Have I now re-established my own name dropping credentials? I could go and on. The truth is I really enjoyed seeing all these people, but it did make me realize that I still do miss the part of my job that had me interacting with all of these folks.

  It is oh so different for me now. No agenda, no authority have I. It was simply a chance to greet friends.

  After the long “meet and greet” period we all marched behind the casket. In this kind of procession my advice to all of you is “Do not be polite or you’ll get shoved behind.” There were tons of security people, all of whom wanted to stay close to the principals. Then some of the leaders were more intent to get a little TV coverage by standing at the head of the procession. I started out next to President Clinton, but soon I was elbowed out of the front ranks. No problem though for I was not there for TV coverage, and as I dropped further back I did have a chance to talk to the Saudis, the Brits and others. I was in a way glad not to be in the front rank. . . .

  At the end of a grueling day for the new King and his family, there was an endless receiving line where all the delegates could file by to pay respects.

  The new King said to me “I hope you know the high regard my father had for you.” Thoughtful words matter to old guys.

  The new King, a Deerfield man, is impressive, and his Palestinian wife is said to be not only very attractive but also very effective. I did not meet any of the ladies as they were all off in a palace, separate from the male attendees. I don’t know how Hillary felt about being segregated off—I expect the Women’s groups from the USA would have been marching and chanting.

  Our last event was a brief appearance at the Amman Marriott. Embassy Amman had assembled all the embassy people in a large ball room. I expect there were some strap hangers in the big room. In any event the “exes” spoke for a couple of minutes followed by brief remarks from Hillary and Bill.

  We were ushered to our cars. The huge motorcade got underway and in 35 minutes we were all boarding AF I for the long trip home. When we landed at Andrews at 2:30 this morning I immediately was escorted to a Gulfstream for the two hour flight to Milwaukee followed by a 45 minute drive to this place—Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

  I took a hot bath and shower and then zonked out. So here I am, in bed, typing away. I will go to the gym here at the Lake Geneva resort. I will have a gentle workout. I will then eat lunch. I will then take a nap. Your mom arrives at 4:20 and at 4:30 we go to work. Reception, small dinner, after which we give speeches then fly to New Orleans for a post-midnight arrival. I am
sure my aching body can take it. Life goes on.

  End of travelogue. I love you all.

  This from your aging, tired

  but always devoted,

  Dad

  Barbara Bush turned seventy-five on June 8, 2000, and I decided to throw her a surprise party in Kennebunkport. This letter to our good friends Alan and Ann Simpson is one of many that went out.

  May 4, 2000

  Dear Alan and Ann,

  This is a Save the Date letter—an advance peek at a great event which lies just over the horizon.

  There will be a surprise birthday party on June 10, 2000.

  The birthday girl is BARBARA PIERCE BUSH.

  Barbara Pierce Bush, aka Silver Fox or Former First Lady will be 75. The actual date of birth was June 8, 1925, but the party will be on Saturday June 10th.

  The place—Kennebunkport, Maine. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Nonantum hotel. OK, it ain’t the Ritz but it is nice. A list of other hotels is attached. All of our immediate family will hopefully attend, but a handful of Bar’s close friends must come, too. That’s you!

  Program—Informal Supper at the informal River Club. After dinner some entertainment—skits, singers, clowns, men jumping out of cakes, jugglers. Speeches needling the Silver Fox—laughter, tears, joy, and wonder.

  SURPRISE is the key word here. SH-SH-SH-SH!!! If you are a definite “Yes” or “No”—let me know now. If you are a “maybe” just circle the date for now.

  All the best from her husband and Bar’s kids who want this to be very special for her. Your coming will help make it so!

  George Bush

  This is easy—Please fill out this form checking the proper boxes. Mail to address shown below, Attention Gian-Carlo Peressutti.8

  RSVP from:__________________

  Dear Mr. President______

  Dear George_______

  Hey You_______

  Yes, I will be there_____

  No, I cannot make it, so there!_____

  Sorry I cannot make it_____

  I’m a “maybe”___ So is____ (my spouse, my girlfriend, my boyfriend)

  I know who Barbara Bush is but I need more information before I can decide.____

  An Update on SFSF aka SF 2 (Surprise for Silver Fox)

  Dear Attendee,

  Great response to the SF2 party on June 10th—a veritable outpouring of affection for the 75-year-old former First Lady, Miss Frank, loving wife!

  The event will be at 6:30 p.m. June 10th.

  The place is The Kennebunk River Club—walking distance from the Nonantum and Colony hotels.

  We are planning to keep the birthday girl out of town on that day or at home. If you drive by Walker’s Point, wear a disguise.

  Our family (kids, grandkids) will be staying at the Point. The cover story is that they are assembling for a small quiet family birthday party for her. Clever? You bet!

  On Sunday, the gates to our place will swing open and we hope you will all come out to say hi, to swim, to tell her “Hey, Bar, we love you! Wasn’t that surprise fun?!” This last one can be modified if the surprise falls on its backside.

  There is golf for those of you who want to play at Cape Arundel. Just call my friend Ken Raynor, our great pro, before or after arrival. Fred Couples set the record at 62 a couple of years ago. Can you top that?

  No presents. Yes, the NO presents rule is in effect!

  Dress Code—No ties. Maybe a sports coat for dinner but no suits, no ties. I will be wearing a lovely purple sports jacket, a polo shirt with a Ryder Cup logo, a clean pair of khaki pants (Sears!), and boat shoes—brown ones with no-skid soles (Is that helpful for the men?). Ladies attire: Hey, I don’t know about this kind of thing, but be comfortable. Could be cool in the evening so bring a sweater.

  The ANSWER DESK will be open here until May 11th. Linda Casey will have all the answers. From May 12th on, the ANSWER DESK will be manned at the Kennebunkport office. Your every question will be answered by Gian-Carlo or Jean Becker.9. . . Sh-sh-sh because sometimes the Silver Fox herownself drops in and out of our little office on the Point.

  Excitement is building. “Think Surprise Party”.

  Respectfully submitted by the recording secretary of the SF2 Committee; Marvin Bush and Doro Koch, co-chairs.

  Honorary Members—Neil Bush, Governor Jeb, Governor George.

  Once our burial plot was established at the George Bush Presidential Library Center at Texas A&M, Bar and I decided to move our daughter Robin, who was buried next to my parents in Greenwich, Connecticut. I wrote this note to our pastor, Dr. Larry Gipson.

  May 16, 2000

  Dear Larry,

  After graduation speeches at Rice and Monmouth College in Illinois and a family wedding in St. Louis we are now settling in at Kennebunkport.

  I have been slow in writing to tell you just how much your coming up to A&M meant to both Barbara and me.

  It seems funny after almost 50 years since her death how dear Robin is to our hearts. My tears flowed when you said those lovely prayers. But they were not the same tears of devastation, loss, and pain that I felt when Robin died. Instead they were tears of gratitude that we had her at all and maybe even tears of joy that she was still with us.

  I remember when Robin was about to die another parent of another leukemia victim who had also fought the good fight told us “Well, I guess Jesus was right when he said Let the little children suffer so they can come unto me.” She got it wrong, Larry, but maybe she also got it right, too. Her kid and ours did suffer and indeed in their innocence they went to heaven. Of that I am certain.

  Friday’s peaceful, private, moving little ceremony was not about suffering nor death—those were both a long time ago. It was about happiness and memories. We are very comforted to know that when we are buried the body of our beloved little four year old will be tucked in right there beside us—right next to her parents who love her so much.

  Thank you, Larry, for making this tiny service so special for Barbara and me.

  Con Afecto,

  George Bush

  Brian Mulroney, my friend and the former prime minister of Canada, wrote me a letter after George W. was officially nominated to run for President at the GOP Convention.

  August 5, 2000

  Dear Brian,

  That letter from you means a great deal to Barbara and me.

  There is no way I can tell you of the emotion we felt when we saw George P.10, then George W. up there in front of the Convention.

  One good thing—when George finished his acceptance speech, it was like a new day had dawned on our family. I felt that finally my political days were over—the record sealed and finished, with the historians left to decide. The baton had indeed been passed; and when Bar and I left the hall, proudest parents in the world, we felt that a wonderful chapter was closed, finished!

  For us, the mission is now to stay off stage and pray for our “boy”. When the road ahead for him is rocky, and it will be, we will be here for him, our arms held out to him, just as they were 50 some years ago when he’d fall on the rocks right out this window and come in with a cut on his legs. We are his loving parents. He is our loving son. That, dear Brian, is what this is all about right now.

  Love to all in your great family; and, yes, if you can pop over here for a night or two, please do.

  Your friend,

  George

  I wrote this e-mail to our son Jeb, the governor of Florida, the night before the election. He was very nervous about George winning there. Of course it would be the vote count in Florida that would throw the election in chaos the next night.

  November 6, 2000

  Subject: you!

  Dear Jeb,

  It’s almost over! And unless the polls are terribly wrong it looks like your brother will be elected President of the USA. But, Jeb, I just want you to know that your mother and I have never been prouder of you. I don’t know what will happen in Florida tomorrow. But I do know no one could have done more th
an you to help George carry that state, and to help in other states as well. And then, of course, there is your boy “P”, his father’s flesh and blood who has given his all, too.

  I know there have been many tense moments with all the dire predictions about your state, and then with smart alec know-it-all commentators implying Florida should be a “gimme” given your being Governor. Florida demographics have changed as you well know and of course there would be a battle right down to the wire there. In my view it would already have been lost without your leadership.

  I have just hung up from Karl11 who tells me the Florida overnights are plus 5. Then I hear the NBC doomsayers downplay our chances there. Who knows. All I know with certainty is that no one could have done as much as you, shown as much grit and leadership, nor cared more. . . .

  I am so very proud of you and as your sister Robin used to say “I love you more than tongue can tell.”

  I hope God will bless us with victory in Florida and across the land; but whatever happens our family will be strong and solid and your brother George and your Dad will say Jeb gave it his all and we love the guy.

  Devotedly,

  DAD

  I wrote this letter to Hugh Sidey after the Supreme Court decision that decided George W. had won the contested, hanging-chad-infected election.

  December 16, 2000

  Dear Hugh,

  The fat lady sang. The ordeal ended. And now a huge new chapter in the lives of the Bush family opens up. But let me finish my “election watch” series with this the 41st and final entry.

  The long, tortuous ordeal that began really early in the morning of November eighth ended when the U.S. Supreme Court took the action it did. When the Court finally ruled, Al Gore’s team of able lawyers saw that it was over. The Vice President and his closest confidantes looked in every corner to find wiggle room; but they wisely concluded that he no longer had a chance. He decided to withdraw.