Meant to note that James “ Jews remember the Holocaust, but they forget insults as soon as they smell cash” Baker wasn’t really a life long Republican, he began life as a politically inactive Democrat who became friendly with Bush Sr. and became involved in his early campaigns.
Back in those days, Texas was one party democrat state with very few republicans.
Two of the more prominent republicans in Texas were transplants from the north east, GHW Bush and Bob Mosbacher. Whereas Baker was Bush's campaign manager, Mosbacher was Bush's campaign finance man.
BTW, previous Texas Guv Rick Perry didn't shift from Dem to GOP until 1990.
James Baker- The Man Who Made Washington Work
This 90 minute documentary covers Baker's career, including that time when he was trying to hold Israel's feet to the fire