April 4, 2021

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Introduction

 

I recently saw a documentary focusing on George Herbert Bush, the 41st President of the United States. The documentary captured the early life of Bush until he was in his 90’s. George Bush represented so many wonderful, traditional values. During his lifetime, his accomplishments were uniquely legendary—cofounder Zapata Oil Corporation, Congressman from Greater Houston, Chairman of the Republican Party, Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Director of the CIA, Vice President, President.

 

My fear is that many of my countrymen do not appreciate these qualities. He was a patrician, in the finest sense of the word.

 

According to USA Today, the legacy of Bush's presidency was defined by his victory over Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait, and for his presiding over the Dissolution of the Soviet Union and the German reunification. Michael Beschloss and Strobe Talbott praise Bush's handling of the USSR, especially how he prodded Gorbachev in terms of releasing control over the satellite states and permitting German unification—and especially a united Germany in NATO.

 

Main Topic

 

In many ways the life of George Bush was similar to Franklin Roosevelt. Both men grew up in blue blood families, were educated at elite prep schools and colleges, and recognized at an early stage of their lives the importance of public service.

 

Bush’s grandfather, George Herbert Walker, led the Wall Street Investment Bank, W.A. Harriman (later Brown Brothers and Harriman). Bush’s father served in the U.S. Senate (elected 1952).

 

Upon graduating from Phillips Academy, Bush enlisted in the United States Navy, as a navy aviator. He served on the USS San Jacinto, as a member of All Group 51. (When I was growing up, the USS San Jacinto was docked at the site of the great Texas victory over the Mexicans during the Texas Revolution (1835-1836). Interestingly enough, my father’s lifelong friend, Admiral Morris Smellow also served on the San Jacinto during World War II. Bush’s plane was shot down during World War II. He was fortunate to survive. The other crew members perished.

 

At Yale, Bush was elected to Skull and Bones, a prestigious fraternity and was captain of the baseball team. The Yale team played in the first two college World Series.  In 1948, Bush greeted the dying Babe Ruth, who gave his biography to Yale. Bush met Barbara Pierce at a Christmas dinner in December 1941, and they were married in 1945.

 

Bush’s career was meteoric. He was a successful entrepreneur co-founding the offshore drilling company Zapata. Bush ran unsuccessfully against Democrat Ralph Yarborough in 1964. In 1966 Bush defeated Frank Briscoe to become a Congressman representing Greater Houston.

 

In 1970 Bush was named Ambassador to China, and in that role, he advocated the expelling of the Republic of China (Taiwan). He became chairman of the Republican Party in 1972.

 

In 1976 Bush became Director of Central Intelligence where he worked hard to restore its reputation. Bush unsuccessfully challenged Ronald Reagan to be the Republican nominee in 1980. Reagan chose Bush to be his Vice President (1980-1988). Bush famously derided Reagan’s economic platform of Supply Side Economics, calling it Voodoo Economics. Reagan reputation suffered from the Iran-Contra scandal, when it was reported that America sold arms to Iran during the Iran-Iraq conflict in order to raise money for the anti-Communist Contras in Nicaragua. 

 

Bush defeated Michael Dukakis for president in 1988. During his presidency Bush did a masterful job. He supported Gorbachev’s efforts to dismantle the Soviet Union, allowing Eastern Satellite nations to gain their freedom.

 

Bush did a spectacular job of forming a coalition to oust Iraq from Kuwait during the Gulf War. At Bush’s insistence, in November 1990, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution authorizing the use of force if Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait.  He won important backing from Germany, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Despite the opposition of a majority of Democrats in both the House and the Senate Congress approved the Authorization of Use of Military Force against Iraq. In a few days, America and her allies defeated Iraq, and forced Iraq’s withdrawal from Kuwait. (August 1990-February 1991). Unlike his son, George W Bush, George Herbert Bush did not make the mistake of invading Iraq. Sadly, our invasion of Iraq under George W. Bush has created chaos, with no positive lasting legacy.

 

Unfortunately, in 1992, Bill Clinton defeated George Bush when he ran for reelection. When George Bush was asked about Ross Perot. He succinctly said, I will say only two things about Perot. “I do not like him. He cost me the election in 1992.”

 

In retirement, Bush generally avoided publicly expressing his opinion on political issues. Instead, he used his influence to support various charities. Ultimately, Bush became friends with Bill Clinton.

 

Trump, Obama, Clinton, and Carter came together for Bush funeral.