Sad to hear that George Bush Sr died recently. His was such an influential voice for good in many ways. I may not have agreed with his political persuasion but I respected the man tremendously. While he was in the White House I was serving HMG in an unconnected role but throughout the offices where I was stationed his words were often repeated.
Here is the way he treated Bill Clinton who was his successor as President, from a different political party. Can you imagine the current president behaving so generously?
“Dear Bill,
When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.
I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.
There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.
You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.
Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.
Good luck— George”
Bush Sr’s single presidential term in office was dominated by foreign policy – the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
With the end of communism, Bush declared at his inauguration: “A new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn.”
Bush was instrumental in building the international military coalition that forced Iraq’s Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait.
He became president after serving two terms as vice-president to Ronald Reagan – the first since 1836 to be elected from there into the top job.
His famous 1988 campaign promise – “Read my lips. No new taxes” – came back to haunt him when he felt compelled to reverse policy.
Paddling 