George Bush: The Unauthorized Biography - Get a Free Blog

usiness and political circles, and unqualified integrity and ability, combined with his
personal qualities of charm and tact, would make him a natural for the new
Presidential/Vice Presidential team." This encomium is quoted at length because it seems
to be a form letter or printout that was distributed by the Bush operation as talking points
for Bush supporters. [fn 4] Dean Burch wrote a memo to Ford pointing out that among
the prominent candidates, "only a few have a post-1980 political future." "My own
choice," Burch told Ford, "would be a Vice President with a long term political future.--a
potential candidate, at least, for the Presidency in his own right." In Burch's conclusion,
"Still operating on this assumption, my personal choice is George Bush." [fn 4] .
The cabinet showed more sentiment for Rockefeller. Rogers Morton of the Interior,
Weinberger of HEW, James Lynn of HUD, Frederick Dent of Commerce, and Attorney
General Saxbe were all for Rocky. Earl Butz of Agriculture was for Goldwater, and
James R. Schlesinger of Defense was for Eliott Richardson. No written opinion by Henry
Kissinger appears extant at the Ford Library. Among the cabinet and the senior White
House counselors, therefore, Rocky had bested Bush 7 to 3, with Burch and Rush
providing Chairman George's most convinced support.
Then the White House staff was polled. Pat Buchanan advised Ford to avoid all the
younger men, including Bush, and told the president that Rockefeller would "regrettably"
have to be his choice. John McLaughlin also told Ford to go for Rocky, although he
mentioned that Bush "would also be a fine vice president." [fn 5] Richard A. Moore was
for Bush based on his economic credentials, asserting that Bush's "father and gradfather
were both highly respected investment bankers in New York." In the White House staff,
Bush won out over Rockefeller and Scranton. Among personal friends of Ford, Bush won
out over Rocky by a 4 to 3 margin.
Among Republican governors, there was significant resistance to Bush. Former
Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton, who had been considered of presidential
caliber, wrote to Ford aide Phillip Buchen of Bush: "Quite frankly, in my experience with
him his one drawback is a limitation of his administrative ability." [fn 6] Among serving
governors, only Thomas J. Meskill of Connecticut, and Otis R. Bowen of Indiana put
Bush in first place. When all the governors' preferences were tabulated, Bush came in
third, trailing Rockefeller and Governor Daniel J. Evans of Washington.
Among the Republican Senators, Bush had intense competition, but the Prescott Bush
network proved it could hold its own. Howard Baker put Bush second, while Henry
Bellmon and Dewey Bartlett sent in a joint letter in support of Bush. Bob Dole but
Chairman George last among his list of preferences, commenting that the choice of Bush
would be widely regarded as "totally partisan." Pete Dominici put Bush as his first
choice, but also conceded that he would be seen as a partisan pick. Roth of Delaware had
Bush in third place after John J. Williams and Rocky. Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania wanted
Rocky or Goldwater, but put Bush in third place. James Pearson of Kansas had Bush as
first choice. Jesse Helms mentioned Bush, but in fifth place after Goldwater, Harry Byrd,
Reagan, and James Buckley. [fn 7] In the final tally of Senate picks, Rocky edged out
Bush with 14 choices to Bush's 12, followed by Goldwater with 11.