George H.W. Bush Settles Old Scores With Cheney and Rumsfeld

The Atlantic ^ | November 5, 2015 | David Graham

[lbryce]

One of the benefits of being 91 is you don’t have to hold back anymore—you can say what you want. And in a new biography, former President George H.W. Bush tells Jon Meacham just what he thinks about Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld’s work in his son’s administration, as reported by Fox News and The New York Times.

“He just became very hard-line and very different from the Dick Cheney I knew and worked with,” the elder Bush said of the man who served as his secretary of defense. “Just iron-ass. His seeming knuckling under to the real hard-charging guys who want to fight about everything, use force to get our way in the Middle East.” He said Cheney built “his own empire.”

“I’ve concluded that Lynne Cheney is a lot of the eminence grise here—iron-ass, tough as nails, driving,” George H.W. Bush said. (One takeaway from the book is Bush’s love of the phrase “iron-ass,” which seems at once like a dated Yankee descriptor and also delightfully vivid.)

[lbryce]

I didn't read through the entire article but thought some of the historical tidbits that include stories about Reagan and other Republicans might be of interest to the community. Of course, this being a liberal rag, everything should be read with suspicion

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

So when is Poppy going to settle old scores with Democrats that ripped him and his son to shreds when they served?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

FU Mr. “Read My Lips.”

[vbmoneyspender]

Nice work Poppy. If there were any doubts about the Bush family being inveterate Rinos, you’ve put those doubts permanently to rest.

[vbmoneyspender]

George H.W. Bush on bonding with Bill Clinton

In October, 2006 [George H.W. Bush] sent a note to Clinton after they received a joint award. "This note is to simply let you know that I so appreciated your words about our relationship, about our friendship. It was from your heart - and I hope you know I feel the same away."

[DesertRhino]

Iron ass,,,lol. NWO GOPe chickenhawk is all I see. And I guess its iron ass to immediately let the Iraqis run around armed, forming a government.
Its iron ass to open the border. Its iron ass to exponentially open up moslem immigration after 9/11.
During Vietnam said he “had better things to do”. (like nobody else did)

Never understood this Cheney as a “tough guy” cult.

[Yardstick]

I would love to see someone pose that question to him.

[DesertRhino]

But Rumsfeld is actually a decent guy. And was a Navy pilot. Probably a genius. Not perfect, but an amazing guy.

[Vermont Lt]

They ALL work for the same side.

Not sure who’s side that is. But it’s not the American people.

[Leaning Right]

Never understood this Cheney as a "tough guy" cult.

I gotta agree with you there. I have many issues with Bush I. But he put his life right on the line for his country. As for Cheney, all tough talk, and little more. Bush II would have been a lot better off had he had a more grounded person as his VP and #1 advisor.

[lbryce]

Very good point.

[sgtyork]

——One of the benefits of being 91

Is having a slipping hold on reality. First Carter and his whacky anti-Israel rants and now Elder Bush settling scores. Don’t these people have anyone to tuck them in and tell them to shut up?

[lbryce]

He prefers being referred to as Mr.FU.

[samadams2000]

“I ruined the Reagan legacy”.

[Theodore R.]

I never knew GHWB had personal issues with fellow Republicans put in his administration or that of his son. I guess he likes total self adulation.

[Grams A]

Sounds like he and Jimmy Carter should team up, be moved to The Home and not be allowed out.

[Theodore R.]

Years ago, I remember reading that Barbara was a huge fan of Tip O’Neill.

[daler]

As I recall, even Goldwater got wobbly in his old age.

[Leaning Right]

But Rumsfeld is actually a decent guy.

Except that no one could tell him anything. It was always his way, or the highway. Much of what went wrong during the invasion of Iraq can be laid at his feet. IMHO, history will view Donald Rumsfeld as it will view Robert McNamara.

Sorry for being so contrary. But Bush II, Cheney, and Rumsfeld, they had a unique opportunity to crush radical islam into dust. They bungled that opportunity. Blood and treasure, all for nothing. And I hate them for that.

[minnesota_bound]

I became hardline after the first World Trade Center attack let alone 9/11. Our politicians let us all down especially the soldiers sent in harms way. They strung them out and abandon them and the people in the mideast. Repeat of what happened in Vietnam and the aftermath.