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George H.W. Bush: Man of Character
Townhall.com ^ | December 4, 2018 | Cal Thomas

Posted on 12/04/2018 12:24:54 PM PST by Kaslin

I first met the man who would become America's 41st president in 1968. He was a Houston congressman and I was a young reporter for a local TV and radio station. My first impression was how kind he was to this "kid," who had just moved to Texas from the Washington, D.C., area and was just starting to learn the "language," like "fixing to go" and "y'all."

Everyone who worked for George H.W. Bush, or knew him, has a story to tell. I have several.

Mr. Bush was a letter writer like none other. I think I have an almost complete collection of his notes and letters, some typed, some handwritten, from every position he held in public life. These include congressman, Republican National Committee chairman, chief liaison officer to the People's Republic of China, U.N. ambassador, CIA director, vice president and president.

When he became president, I wrote him a congratulatory note and he responded on White House stationery. I later told him I was keeping the letter "just in case you amount to something." He laughed.

One time we were scheduled to meet at Walker's Point, the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, where they had vacationed for decades. Mr. Bush had to cancel due to an unexpected visit from an ambassador. Apparently concerned that my feelings would be hurt, he instructed an aid to get a phone number where he could call me. I gave him a payphone number at a local hardware store (this was before cellphones had become ubiquitous) and he called to apologize.

Our last meeting was two years ago at Walker's Point and this time he didn't cancel. My youngest daughter was with me. We were told that the president sometimes appeared to doze off, but that he was listening. We had a wonderful visit, recalling Houston days. He asked questions and seemed lucid and interested in talking politics and world events.

On one visit to the Oval Office when he was president, he sat behind the desk and I sat in a chair next to him. When I showed his son, the 43rd president, that picture some years later, he motioned me over to the same desk, we sat down and the picture was replicated. I have both hanging in my office.

Mr. Bush was not a favorite of conservatives, who believed he would be the third term of his predecessor, Ronald Reagan. When he promised a "kinder, gentler nation," some thought he was being critical of Reagan. In fact, a case could be made that it wasn't Reagan who was unkind and ungentle, but his critics.

Mr. Bush faltered when he broke his "read my lips, no new taxes" pledge in exchange for a promise by congressional Democrats to cut spending. The Democrats got their tax increase, but didn't deliver on spending cuts. He also took heat for nominating David Souter to the Supreme Court. Souter was sold to him as a conservative by Chief of Staff John Sununu, but he turned out to rule with the court's liberal wing. Still, he gave conservatives Clarence Thomas, a solid constitutional originalist.

As president, Mr. Bush brought just the right attitude to the collapse of the Soviet Union, warning Americans they should not engage in triumphalism over the collapse of the communist regime (many celebrated anyway) and the end of the Cold War because of the uncertainty of what might follow. He also ordered the military to oust Saddam Hussein's forces after they had invaded Kuwait, a highly successful operation.

Any epitaph on the life of George H.W. Bush must include at least three words: character, honor and integrity. From his service in World War II, to his political career and post-presidency, not to mention his faithfulness to Barbara, his wife of 73 years.

Perhaps one of the reasons he seems so attractive is his contrast with the current bitter and corrosive political climate. We are not likely to see his kind again, but we will have his memory and example to recall when considering the definition of the word gentleman.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: bush41; bushbashing; calthomas; globalistbush; newworldorder; presidents; tribute
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1 posted on 12/04/2018 12:24:54 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

He was not a man of character and put this nation on the wrong course.


2 posted on 12/04/2018 12:30:14 PM PST by fortheDeclaration
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To: Kaslin
As president, Mr. Bush brought just the right attitude to the collapse of the Soviet Union, warning Americans they should not engage in triumphalism over the collapse of the communist regime (many celebrated anyway) and the end of the Cold War because of the uncertainty of what might follow.

He didn't want the U.S. to gloat because he didn't believe in the U.S. winning anything, that is why he refused to give us a real victory in Iraq!

3 posted on 12/04/2018 12:31:56 PM PST by fortheDeclaration
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This has been the longest week ever and it’s only Tuesday.


4 posted on 12/04/2018 12:33:36 PM PST by proust ("The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today.")
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To: Kaslin

Patrician thru and thru... there are both some pros and cons to that.

To be honest I find President Trump and his approach to be a breath of fresh air.

The descendants of the monied elites that helped guide the nation to great heights leave much to be desired.

Trump saw this in action up close which is why he pushed his children to work in business etc.

Take a look from Prescott to Jeb! and now George P Bush.


5 posted on 12/04/2018 12:35:28 PM PST by Eyes Unclouded (The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.)
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To: proust

LMAO!


6 posted on 12/04/2018 12:35:35 PM PST by TADSLOS (I wish Adam and Eve had been Cajuns. They would have ignored the apple and ate the snake.)
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To: fortheDeclaration

Ditto that.


7 posted on 12/04/2018 12:36:38 PM PST by MagnoliaB (You can't always get what you want but if you try sometime you might find, you get what you need.)
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To: proust

Ditto that too.


8 posted on 12/04/2018 12:37:16 PM PST by MagnoliaB (You can't always get what you want but if you try sometime you might find, you get what you need.)
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To: proust

We still have to endure the media’s endless gushing Year in Review when we get to re-live the death of both McCain and Elder Bush all over again.


9 posted on 12/04/2018 12:38:55 PM PST by TADSLOS (I wish Adam and Eve had been Cajuns. They would have ignored the apple and ate the snake.)
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To: Kaslin

He was a dove when the times called for a lion.


10 posted on 12/04/2018 12:43:40 PM PST by Mr Ramsbotham ("God is a spirit, and man His means of walking on the earth.")
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To: Kaslin

As president, Mr. Bush brought just the right attitude to the collapse of the Soviet Union, warning Americans they should not engage in triumphalism over the collapse of the communist regime (many celebrated anyway) and the end of the Cold War


Bush Sr. being quiet about the fall of the Soviet Union was a COLOSSAL mistake on his part!!!

He absolutely should have addressed this historic series of events, using them as “teachable moments”: for capitalism and freedom defeating communism and tyranny.

When it comes to voters, a POTUS should always either be in campaign mode or instructive mode—or both. This BS about “not taking a victory lap” is false “modesty” carried out to a destructive level. Bush Sr. screwed up on this, BIG TIME.

I guarantee you Ronald Reagan and President Trump would have rightfully seized the historic events with triumph, patriotism and national pride.


11 posted on 12/04/2018 12:45:22 PM PST by RooRoobird20 ("Democrats haven't been this angry since Republicans freed the slaves.")
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To: Kaslin

This is like McCain’s death...Just an excuse to attack Trump, 24/7, around the clock, year in and and year out.

I can assure all, the America last crowd, the corrupt establishment hacks in D.C. are not going to like the post Trump era.


12 posted on 12/04/2018 12:46:58 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Kaslin
Bush Senior certainly wasn't the best President of my lifetime...but he certainly wasn't the worst either.We must all admit that he was a far,*far* better President than the Tank Commander would have been.And he was a far,*far* better President than BillyBob was.

And he was a far,*far* better man as well.

13 posted on 12/04/2018 12:48:48 PM PST by Gay State Conservative (I've Never Owned Slaves...You've Never Picked Cotton.End Of "Discussion".)
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To: Eyes Unclouded
To be honest I find President Trump and his approach to be a breath of fresh air.

As do I.

14 posted on 12/04/2018 12:52:28 PM PST by DiogenesLamp ("of parents owing allegiance to no other sovereignty.")
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To: fortheDeclaration

Also, a victorious America would not be easy to sublimate beneath the new world order H.W. worked to usher in.


15 posted on 12/04/2018 12:53:01 PM PST by MrEdd (Caveat Emptor)
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To: proust

In honor of President George HW Bush, aka Former President “Grab Ass”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZRe1abdRpI

His favorite Magician: David Cop-a-feel

NO DISRESPECT INTENDED. I think his grabbing ass is pretty funny.


16 posted on 12/04/2018 12:55:29 PM PST by LeonardFMason (426)
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To: Kaslin

A Man of character who nobody knew what he stood for or was abut or what he did or anything. He was a nothing as President.


17 posted on 12/04/2018 12:56:32 PM PST by vespa300
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To: Kaslin
His real legacy was the election of Bill Clinton which eventually led to the coronation of Barack Obama.

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18 posted on 12/04/2018 12:58:46 PM PST by Vlad The Inhaler (Yes Dorothy, Windows 10 sucks even in Kansas!)
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To: RooRoobird20

“As president, Mr. Bush brought just the right attitude to the collapse of the Soviet Union, warning Americans they should not engage in triumphalism over the collapse of the communist regime (many celebrated anyway) and the end of the Cold War
Bush Sr. being quiet about the fall of the Soviet Union was a COLOSSAL mistake on his part!!!”

Yup. He is being praised by the rats and the likes of Ron Wyden for his gentle handling of their fellow comrades in the former soviet union.


19 posted on 12/04/2018 1:03:58 PM PST by Electric Graffiti (Cocked, locked and ready to ROCK!)
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To: fortheDeclaration
Very well written essay. Sadly, there are flaws in the essay. "Mr. Bush brought just the right attitude to the collapse of the Soviet Union." Wow. Talk about making things up for fun. When Pope John Paul II met Gorbachev in the Vatican in 1989, they both politely asked that President Bush stay outside the room and wait in another room. After all, both leaders and their diplomats knew that President Bush was not up to speed with the problems with Yalta (1945) and Solidarność (1980). Everyone there in Rome that famous December day in 1989 day missed President Reagan.
20 posted on 12/04/2018 1:04:39 PM PST by Falconspeed ("Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94)t)
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