George Bush: The Unauthorized Biography - Get a Free Blog

Bush was stronger in the House, where many members had served side by side with their
old friend Rubbers. Bush was the first choice of Bill Archer of Texas (who had inherited
Bush's old district, and who praised Bush for having "led the fight in Congress for
disclosure and reform"), Skip Bafalis of Florida, William G. Bray of Indiana, Dan
Brotzman of Colorado, Joe Broyhill of Virginia, John Buchana of Alabama, Charles
Chamberlain of Michigan, Donald Clancy of Ohio, Del Dawson of California, and Thad
Cochran of Mississippi. William Armstrong of Colorado struck a discordant note by
urging Ford to pick "a person who has extensive experience in ELECTED public office."
William S. Cohen of Maine found that Bush did "not have quite the range of experience
of Richardson or Rockefeller. James Collins favored Bush "as a Texan." Glenn Davis of
Wisconsin, Derwinksi of Illinois (a long-term ally who eventually rose to the Bush
cabinet after having served with Bush at the UN mission in New York), Sam Devine of
Ohio, and Pierre S. Du Pont IV of Delaware -all for Bush. William Dickinson of
Alabama found Bush "physically attractive" with "no political scars I am aware of" and
"personally very popular." But then came John J. Duncan of Tennessee, who told Ford
that he could not "support any of the fifteen or so mentioned in the news media."
Marvin Esch of Michigan was for Bush, as was Peter Frelinghuysen of New Jersey.
Edwin D. Eshelman told Ford to go for Bush "if you want a moderate." The Bush brigade
went on with Charles Gubser of California, and Hammerschmidt of Arkansas, still very
close to Bush today. John Heinz of Pennsylvania was having none of Bush, but urged
Ford to take Rockefeller, Scranton, or Richardson, in that order. John Erlenborn of
Illinois was more than captivated by Bush, writing Ford that Bush "is attractive
personally--people tend to like him on sight." Why, "he has almost no political enemies"
that Erlenborn knew of. Bud Hillis of Indiana, Andrew Hinshar of California, Marjorie
Holt- for Bush. Lawrence Hogan of Maryland was so "disturbed" about the prospect of
Rockefeller that he was for Bush too. Hudnut of Indiana put Bush as his second choice
after favorite son Gov. Otis Bowen because Bush was "fine, clean."
Jack Kemp of New York, now in the Bush cabinet, was for Bush way back then,
interestingly enough. Lagomarsino of California put Bush third, Latta of Ohio put him
second only to Rocky. Trent Lott of Mississippi, who has since moved up to the Senate,
told Ford that he needed somebody "young and clean" and that "perhaps George Bush fits
that position." Manuel Lujan of New Mexico, who also made the Bush cabinet, was a
solid Bush rooter, as was Wiley Mayne of Iowa. Pete McCloskey put Bush second to
Richardson, but ahead of Rocky. John McCollister of Nebraska deluded himself that
Bush could be confirmed without too much trouble: McCollister was for Bush because "I
believe he could pass the Judiciary Committee's stern test" because "he had no policy
making role in the sad days now ended," but perhaps Ford knew better on that one.
Clarence Miller of Ohio was for Bush. Congressman Bob Michel, ever climbing in the
House GOP hierarchy, had long-winded arguments for Bush. Rocky, he thought, could
"help most" over the remainder of Ford's term, but Bush would be a trump card for 1976.
"George Bush would not command all the immediate adulation simply because he hasn't
had as long a proven track record in the business and industrial community, but his
credentials are good," wrote Michel. "He is young and he would work day and night and