I remember the 1992 election. Media pundits referred to Barbara as Bush's "secret weapon" because she was so beloved by ordinary Americans that putting into the spotlight was bound to improve Bush's chances for reelection.
Both conservative media (i.e., National Review) and liberal media conceded that Barbara was loved by all Americans.
This is the first I heard that "everybody said she was a bully."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-18/barbara-bush-was-no-wimp/9671520
https://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/1992/08/williams199208
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-19-mn-5603-story.html
“She was warm and wonderful to you — till you got out of line,” George W. Bush
Her father was Aleister Crowley.