Gov enjoys having cruise control [Photo of Jeb in shorts; and an interview by Mike Thomas]

The Orlando Sentinel ^ | Dec. 29, 2002 | Mike Thomas

[summer]

In his shorts, T-shirt and sneakers without socks,
Gov. Jeb Bush relaxes Saturday aboard Disney's Wonder [Cruise Ship].

Governor enjoys having cruise control
Published December 29, 2002

ABOARD THE WONDER [....]

I'm sitting here waiting once again and going over my questions.

"Hi, Mike."

I look up. That's Jeb Bush?

That is the stiff, aristocratic governor who seemed so ambivalent about going on the cruise when invited by his dad?

Jeb is decked out in baggy shorts, a T-shirt, sunglasses, ball cap and sneakers without socks. He didn't shave this morning. His face is burned red. Give him a bottle of rum, sit him on a sea wall in Nassau, and he'd look right at home.

I look down at my questions and scratch off, "Have you worn a pair of shorts since the trip began?"

Mike: Is this your first cruise?

Jeb: Yes, it is.

Mike: Is this your last cruise?

Jeb: No, no, I like it. I don't know if all the ships are like this, but it's really nice. The staterooms are beautiful. The food is excellent.

The main reason I'm here is I like hanging out with my dad these days. But I'd go on another cruise.

Mike: You don't seem the cruise kind of guy.

Jeb: No, it's not a natural thing for me. I'm adapting.

Mike: What have you been doing?

Jeb: I went to sleep at 8:30 the first night. I slept 10 hours. I can't remember the last time I slept 10 hours. I watched a Winston Churchill movie last night on television. I think it was based on the William Manchester book. I went to the beach. I've been finishing this book [Theodore Rex]. I've been in there [health club] exercising at 7 a.m. I haven't seen you in there yet, Mike.

Mike: Have you spent more time in the buffet line or the gym?

Jeb: The gym. It allows me to eat more.

Mike: Did you buy any duty-free scotch in Nassau?

Jeb: No.

Mike: Cuban cigars?

Jeb: No! Of course not!

Mike: Here is a Barbara Walters question: If you could be a Disney character, which one would it be?

Jeb: [Laughs] Hercules. No. I can't answer that. It's too deep. I always liked Pluto. I don't know why.

Mike: How many Bushes are on board?

Jeb: Eighteen. [He named them all, including his wife, Columba, and sons George P. and Jebby. Daughter Noelle remains in a drug-court program in Orange County.]

Mike: Is your dad paying?

Jeb: Yes, full freight, too.

Mike: Is this the first time he's taken you to Disney?

Jeb: You know, it might be. I don't remember going to Disney when I was a kid.

Mike: Do you resent him for that?

Jeb: [Laughs] I knew you were going to ask that. No, I've had a fulfilled, wonderful relationship with my dad. I never resented that.

Mike: But he was too busy running the world to take his kid to Disney.

Jeb: He didn't start doing that until he was 40, so that wouldn't be a good explanation.

Mike: Everybody on the boat is talking about seeing your dad or shaking his hand. How have people been?

Jeb: They have been very good about respecting our privacy.

Mike: It seems your folks get out and mingle a lot.

Jeb: My dad has gone to all the shows. He went to Hercules [an onboard musical].

Mike: Did you go?

Jeb: No, I was asleep. He went to the magic show, and I didn't make that either.

Mike: You can't keep up with your dad?

Jeb: I can't. He's pretty energetic.

Mike: Everybody talks about seeing your mom or dad, but not you. Has anyone recognized you?

Jeb: A lot.

Mike: When was your last vacation?

Jeb: Define vacation. How long?

Mike: The last time you went three days without reading a government document.

Jeb: Uhhh. July 4. No, I worked then. July 4 week, a year ago.

Mike: Have you read any government reports since being onboard?

Jeb: No. I spent about 10 minutes reading my e-mails. I had about 80 of them. I had to make sure everything was cool back home.

Mike: What did you get for Christmas?

Jeb: I got a green tie. And some Bay Rum cologne. . . . [long pause while he thinks] . . . That's about it.

Mike: Boy, you're well-loved.

Jeb: Oh, my son George gave me a bottle of wine a month for a year.

I'm normally the giver.

Mike: What did you give your mom?

Jeb: Expensive perfume.

Mike: Your dad?

Jeb: I gave my dad one of those things that you clear your ear and nostril hair. For the guy who has everything, from Sharper Image.

Mike: Your brother George W.?

Jeb: I didn't give him anything. We don't give gifts. There are too many brothers and family members.

Mike: Will your son George P. be governor one day?

Jeb: He has to get married and have kids first.

Mike: Can we reform education without busting the teachers union?

Jeb: Of course we can.

Mike: Are you afraid of the Norwalk virus?

Jeb: No.

Mike: How's your stomach feeling?

Jeb: Everything is great.

Mike Thomas can be reached at mthomas@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5525.

[summer]

Mike: [What did you give] Your dad [for Christmas]?

Jeb: I gave my dad one of those things that you clear your ear and nostril hair. For the guy who has everything, from Sharper Image.

My mom told me about the AP version of this article this morning, because she couldn't stop laughing when she read what Gov. Bush gave his dad for Christmas -- and, the reason she couldn't stop laughing is because she loves that gift, which is also what my brother gave my dad, who didn't know what to make of it. So, this morning, while laughing, my mom was telling my dad: "See, your son thinks so much of you, he gave you the same Christmas present our governor gave to his dad -- a former president!" LOL... :)

BTW, here is another article Mike Thomas wrote about Gov Bush's first vacation in over a year: CLICK HERE.

[rs79bm]

"stop asking me those silly governor's
questions. can't you see I'm on a cruise here?"

[summer]

Great photo here! :)

[1Old Pro]

Mike: Everybody on the boat is talking about seeing your dad or shaking his hand.

I hope he washes his hands often or he's asking for the cruise ship virus.

[summer]

A great photo here... :)

[summer]

I like this excerpt from the other article I linked to in my post #1:

Bush clan turns trip on ship into goofy adventure
Published December 28, 2002

...There were similar Bush sightings all over the boat. It seems the family is milling about rather than holing up in the suites. But they're doing so without making a commotion.

"You really wouldn't know they were on board unless you went to the eighth floor," said Rich Eliason, of Nevada.

"They had dinner in Trident's restaurant, and George gave a toast," said Lance Aguirre, from Las Vegas. "They are very nice people. Clinton would have had his food brought to him in his stateroom. The Bushes are like Dolly."

Dolly?

"Dolly Parton," said Lance, explaining that he was a musician in Las Vegas and that Dolly always was very nice to the little people....

[MeekOneGOP]

That is a great pic. Thanks. Here is an early...

[summer]

That was great! Thanks, MeeknMing! Happy New Year to you, too! :)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Both articles great!

[summer]

BTTT! Mike Thomas voted for Gov Bush - the first time in his life Mike ever voted for a GOP candidate.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you !

[summer]

:)!

[mombonn]

. Clinton would have had his food brought to him in his stateroom.

No, clintbilly would have ordered everyone out of the dining room while he and his party had their dinner. And, of course, he would have been 2 hours late arriving, so most people would have missed dinner entirely.

But then, he wouldn't have taken the family on a cruise to begin with, unless Disney was paying.

Dear me, I do loathe that man.

[Dog Gone]

Cool. He's reading the last book I finished, Theodore Rex.

[Tijeras_Slim]

LOL! I remember that aritcle too!

[JebBush2008]

Jeb is a man of class as prestiege! Can't wait to vote for Jeb in 2008 and 2012.

[summer]

Yep! I remember it too. And, frankly, I was reassured by that article as to the truth of what I always thought: Gov Bush is heading for a landslide victory...

[summer]

LOL... Happy New Year, mombonn! :)

[summer]

Now I want to read it! :)

[JoeSixPack1]

And for Valentines Day, his brother Dubya is giving dad the newly acquired Sodam Hussein's head on a plate!! :-) heheheh

Go J.E. Bush & Family!!!!! YeeeeeeeeeHHHaaaaaaawwwwwwww!