When he died, the 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, was 94 years old. His first term began in 1989 and coincided with the end of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. You are about to hear three former presidents, a rare event in itself, talking about George H.W. Bush's life and legacy.
Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush recently acknowledged that number 41 was one of the best prepared presidents in American history. Prior to becoming Commander-in-Chief, he was a fighter pilot, tanker, congressman, diplomat, CIA chief and Ronald Reagan vice-president for two terms.
Former President George HW Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush at the National Republican Convention on September 2, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
He was also married to Barbara Bush for 73 years, until his death last April. Together they had six children.
We start tonight with their eldest son, President George W. Bush, and what his father taught him about the highest office in the country.
Former President George W. Bush: The mission was not George HW Bush, the mission was: how do we serve the United States? How can we help the United States? How can we improve the United States? This is very important for creating a culture that can succeed.
Norah O'Donnell: The office was more important than the man.
Former President George W. Bush: The office is more important than the man. It's really one of the most important things to understand for Americans. Daddy taught me that. And therefore, one of the tasks is to strengthen the institution of the Presidency and to honor it. And that's what George HW Bush did.
Norah O & # 39; Donnell: And make the honor of the function, of this institution, why is this so important?
Former President George W. Bush: The institution of the presidency is a shock absorber. Look, every president has his strengths and his weaknesses, we just want to make sure that the country, the fleet ballast, you know, is strong enough to withstand the tumultuous periods or, you know, the weaknesses of the fleet. ;humanity.
Norah O'Donnell: You said you observed his presidency and criticized the president –
Former President George W. Bush: Yeah.
Norah O'Donnell: … helped you.
Former President George W. Bush: Yes. Because, first of all, being a child of a president is unpleasant. I mean, you see someone you like to be ridiculed, mocked or criticize hard. It hurts. And so by the time I became president, you know, I had– a fair amount of asbestos (laugh) on my skin. And it did not hurt that much, finally. You know?
Norah O'Neill Donnell: It was like a fire retardant?
Former President George W. Bush: Exactly. Flame retardant. (LAUGH)
Norah O'Donnell: Did Your Father Disturb When You Criticized While You Worked –
Former President George W. Bush: Yeah. (LAUGH) He did it. In the end, though, you know, we both knew it was part of the job, I mean, which is actually a good thing for the country. I mean, you want your powerful people to be subjected to scrutiny.
Norah O'Donnell: When You Come Back on Your Father's Mandate as President –
Former President George W. Bush: Yes. 19659002] Norah O'Donnell: "It begins, for many people, to get better and better"
George HW Bush in 1988.
Cynthia Johnson / Getty
Former President George W. Bush: (LAUGH) Yes, we all do it. (LAUGH) That's how time works. I think that he will become the greatest chair of a mandate of all time. Because of its foreign policy, which cleverly deals with the end of the cold war, for example, the reunification of Germany.
When the Soviet Union collapses, during his career, President Bush asks for help from his long-time friend, James. Baker
George Bush chooses James Baker as Secretary of State before naming anyone in his office. The first two met three decades earlier, while Baker was only a Texas lawyer and a tennis player looking for a game.
James Baker: No d & # 39; Between us had partner for the doubles matches. And so they put us together. And that's how we became friends. We first became (LAUGH) double tennis partners.
James Baker, longtime friend of George HW Bush and former Secretary of State
CBS News
Together, they discuss the fall of the old rival of the United States of the Cold War. They are also facing new turbulence in the Middle East and a subsequent war.
In 1990, the United States formed a coalition of 33 countries to oust Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi Army of Kuwait.
Perhaps no president or secretary of state knew each other so well since James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.
James Baker: And I was secretary of state for a president who was everything – who was like a brother. And there was never any question of whether, if I went out and said something, I did not doubt that I was speaking for the president or not.
Twenty-five years later, James Baker told us that his friend, who had spent four years in office, was one of the most important in history.
James Baker: I mean, let's look at what happened under his direction. The world has changed And we had a peaceful resolution of the cold war. It should not end peacefully. It could have ended with a bang, not a groan. That's George Bush who made sure that it ends well and who has also criticized the press for not having danced on the ruins of the wall when the Berlin Wall fell.
James Baker: And despite all the pressure on him to stick it in Gorbachev's eyes once the wall fell. He said, "No. We still have a lot to do with Gorbachev, we will not do it." And it was the right thing to do. And that, as much as anything else in my opinion, cemented the possibility of a peaceful end to the cold war, as opposed to a cataclysmic end of the cold war.
Former President Barack Obama: I think more than anything you learn. From the moment you look at your predecessors is– what are the actions that they have companies that you admire? What are the mistakes that they made that you want to avoid? In one way or another, they tend to talk to you through their own record.
Former President Barack Obama rewarded George H. W. Bush received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 and declared that he particularly admired his foreign policy.
Former President Barack Obama: What people do not really appreciate, even within his own party, is the degree of landing of the plane. when the Berlin Wall collapses.
President Barack Obama hands over the 2010 Freedom Medal to former President George HW Bush on February 15, 2011 at the White House in Washington, DC
TIM SLOAN / AF. / Getty Images
Former President Barack Obama: You have potentially chaos in the former Soviet Union and Russia. And uncertainty in Europe. All these things could have been upset at any time. And – the restraint, the prudence, the lack of revival of the football which they showed were, in my opinion, a huge exploit.
Norah O Donnell: The author of a new book about your father and the end of the month Jeffrey Engel, of the Cold War, wrote: "Bush, as no matter. who, and certainly more than any other stranger, can claim to be the father of modern Germany. "
Former President George W. Bush: Yes. . I think the Germans would tell you. My friend Angela Merkel has certainly said that. And– and the reason is that he has quietly worked to unify Germany without attracting attention to himself. Europeans were very worried about a unified Germany.
Norah O. Donnell: There was a young KGB officer at the time (LAUGH) in Berlin.
Former President George W. Bush: Yes, he was.
Norah O'Donnell: You Know Who I'm Talking About –
Former President George W. Bush: Yes, I Know It
Norah O Donnell: Vladimir Putin
] Former President George W. Bush: Yeah.
Norah O'Neill Donnell: He was not happy about the end of the cold war.
Former President George W. Bush: No, he was not. Still is not. And– So –
Norah O'Donnell: Yeah
Former President George W. Bush: Here … here is a story of George Bush. I learned – one of the things I learned from him was, you know, to give these world leaders special treatment if possible.
Former President, President, President, President, President, Guard, and President, Old Home President Vladimir Putin is holding his catch with the help of fishing guide Billy Bush at the # 39, a morning outing at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Eric Draper / White House via Getty Images
Former President George W. Bush: And I said, "Dad, I need a place to take Vladimir Putin. Would you mind if I get it? Was driving to Kennebunkport ", knowing full well that Putin would say," Wow, it's really great. " And he said, "Not at all." And he – so Putin lands.
Former President George W. Bush: And dad stands at the foot of the stairs to greet him.
As president, the former Bush was known for his mastery of "personal diplomacy". and almost 15 years away from the Bush family in Kennebunkport, Maine, he always had the gift.
Former President George W. Bush: So he said, "You want to go out on our boat?" [19659002] Former President George W. Bush: And– Putin said, "Oh, I would love to go." And so Putin has this interpreter (RIRE) who is a bit – you know – did not look much like an outdoorsman. (LAUGH) And the old man opens this thing up and this guy, I stand in front of this interpreter, he looks like a white punch, you know, hanging on the boat wondering whether he will live or not. And it crosses these waves, it's just the classic George Bush.
Norah O'Neill Donnell: What was Putin doing?
Former President George W. Bush: He adored that. You know, Putin is somehow one of those macho guys who – salty spray come in, you know, and he thought it was wonderful. It is the interpreter who was (LIRE) pissed off. (RIRE)
George H.W. Bush also shared playful moments with two other men who followed him as president.
Former President Barack Obama: He reminded us that, as fiercely as we can fight on politics and on issues, we are finally Americans. first. And that kind of attitude is something that many people will miss, in my opinion.
Former President Bill Clinton: I think history will be very enjoyable during his presidency.
Former President Bill Clinton says that he has learned a lot. about the character of the man that he replaced with a letter.
He read us the note that George Bush had left him in the oval office in 1993.
Former President Bill Clinton: "Dear Bill, when I walked into this office just now, I felt the same feeling of wonder and respect four years ago I know you will feel it too I wish you great happiness here I have never felt the loneliness that some presidents have described There will be some very difficult moments, made even more difficult by critics that you may not consider fair.
"I am not a very good advisor, but do not let the critics discourage you or push you to get out of the way. You will be our president when you read this note. I wish you good. I wish your family good luck. Your success now is the success of our country. I rooted hard. Good luck. "
Former President Bill Clinton: This letter is a statement of who he is.That's why he is a world-class human being in my book
Former President George W. Bush: Bill Clinton was smart he dealt with my father, he treated him with great respect, and daddy is a man big enough to, you know, want to befriend Bill. And they became friends .– And– it's great to see
Former President Bill Clinton: And our friendship has improved, and in a world where everyone is kidding all the time, I thought it was a good thing to show.
Former President Bill Clinton: That's right One of the great joys of my life, my friendship with he, our arguments were of good nature and open, and we continue to debate until recently.
Their late friendship was unlikely given the country The presidential hopeful of President Bush comes to an end when Bill Clinton wins the presidency with 43% of the vote. Texan billionaire Ross Perot, an independent, took 19% of the vote. Mr. Bush only captured 37 people and returned home to Houston. It was a painful loss. We asked George W. Bush what was wrong.
Former President George W. Bush said: "Read on my lips, no new taxes," and … it was a strong commitment, and then raise taxes for what? he thought he was good of the country. But, you know, it's a clear lesson of consequences
He gave this now infamous pledge at the 1988 Republican Convention in New Orleans.
George HW Bush at Congress: Congress will push me to raise taxes and I will say no, and they will push and I will say no, and they will push again and I will say to them: "Read my lips, no new taxes. "
Norah O 'Donnell: Was it one of his biggest mistakes?
Former President George W. Bush: I think it's politically certain. Politically, people had argued that this was not the case. But yes, politically …
Norah O'Donnell: Because it ended up raising taxes and that led to a balanced budget over time.
Former President George W. Bush: That's right.
On January 20, 1989, the President of the United States, George HW Bush, addressing the audience in front of the Capitol in Washington, DC, after to have been sworn in at the 41st Presidency of the United States
.
Norah O'Donnell: Do you think that played an important role in his defeat in 1992?
Former President George W. Bush: I think it played an important role in the fracking of the Republican Party. I do not think it played such an important role in the general election. But to win, you must have a solid foundation. And if your base is fractured, it's gonna- it's really hard to win in American politics. And that fractured his base in the Republican Party.
Norah O & # 39; Donnell: But it was also an example, where he chose to do what was right compared to what was politically expedient, or what he could have said to the [19659002] Former President George W. Bush: No, that's right. No, I – I do not argue if you're right or if you're wrong, I'm just saying that it was … it was harmful.
Norah O 'Donnell: Yeah
Former President George W. Bush: From a policy point of view, you know, a lot of people would say that it helped the country.
Former President Barack Obama: All this discussion on deficit reduction required difficult choices. It was not like there had not been any serious cuts. He did not appreciate the fruits of his work. By the time people understood the benefits of reducing deficits and interest rates, he had already lost them.
Former President George W. Bush: He was able to absorb the losses. Of course, the most scathing was 1992.
Norah O. Donnell: What you're saying is that he's had a lot of losses.
Former President George W. Bush: Yes, he did. (LAUGHS) Yeah, and bounced what, you know– and I think that's an important lesson in life, that you're going to have losses in life. And the question is, how do you deal with it?
The life of George Herbert Walker Bush was one of the most important geopolitical events of the twentieth century.
At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Navy and became one of the youngest. American fighter pilots in World War II. Fifty years later, as Commander-in-Chief, he contributed to the peaceful end of the Cold War.
In retirement, he decided that it would be fun to jump planes and dive into the sky until the age of 90.
was more than his achievements and hobbies that made the man and the president unique. In historical terms, he was the last of its kind.
Jon Meacham: I think you really have to think about it because George Herbert Walker Bush was the last generation president of World War II. From Roosevelt to Truman, including Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan, they had all been shaped by depression and war.
Historian Jon Meacham interviewed for ten years President Bush for his biography of the 41st president.
Jon Meacham: For me, his story begins at the age of 18. Three things happened. He was 18 years old. He is a graduate of Andover. And he drove to Boston and was sworn in as naval officer. I went to the flight school. Became what we believe to be the youngest officer in the navy aviation.
In this photo of June 8, 1991, General Norman Schwarzkopf and President George Bush watch the National Victory Parade from the tribune of observation. in Washington. Schwarzkopf led his troops during the parade, then rejoined Bush at the critics' gallery.
Ron Edmonds / AP
Former President George W. Bush: The United States is attacked and he gets an idea of what he wants to serve his country, even if his father, whom he loved many, suggested he go to the university first.
Norah O & # 39; Donnell: Where did he get that sense of duty, honor, country?
Former President George W. Bush: I think of his father.
Norah O'Donnell: I read the only time he saw his own father crying when he left.
Former President George W. Bush: Yes, at the station. This is true. He is 18 years old and just after his 18th birthday, his father is crying.
He completed 58 combat missions in the Pacific. September 2, 1944 was almost the last, when the Japanese fired at Lieutenant Bush and his two teammates.
Jon Meacham: The plane is hit. The wings ignite. The cockpit fills with smoke, but it continues. He goes out the tower, he goes out. He realizes that he is about to go down. He tells his two teammates to hit the floss to get out, then he runs away. He cuts his head against the tail of the plane, plunges into the sea. Comes. He vomits seawater. And he realizes that his two teammates did not do it.
Jon Meacham: And to some extent, I think every day since that Saturday in the Pacific, he was trying to justify that he had been spared when other men were sentenced to death.
Four hours after the crash of his plane, Bush was ripped off the Pacific by the crew of the USS Finback USS.
An officer aboard the submarine captured the rescue on 8mm film
Former President George W. Bush: Once, I said, "Dad, do you think about the war?" It was late, much later. He said, "I'm always thinking about Delaney and White."
Norah O Donnell: His two crew members.
Former President George W. Bush: Yeah … By the way, he was not the only one. dude, of course, who has lived this experience. I mean– it defined a generation, the Second World War did it. And … but … I think it allowed him to be, you know, a strong leader
After the war, Bush went to Yale University, where he was a member of the secret society Skull and Bones. and played the first goal on the baseball team.
Former President George HW Bush and George W. Bush announce the match before the fifth World Baseball Game against the Dodgers of Los Angeles, Sunday, October 29, 2017 in Houston.
David J. Phillip / AP
Former President George W. Bush: He was captain of an excellent baseball team. And a few of those guys from World War II came back to Yale and they competed twice in the NCAA finals.
Norah O & # 39; Donnell: Could he have played in major tournaments?
Former President George W. Bush: No. Good defensive player, just could not hit. If you can not hit, you go, do not go to the majors.
But he graduated from Phi Beta Kappa in just two and a half years. He had married Barbara Pierce, who became his partner in life and politics.
Barbara Bush Archives: My job is to talk about George Bush, this man and this very qualified person, and I like to do it. Nobody asked me to do it. That's what I do. I do not give advice. I do not take it very well either, I could add.
When she died last April, Barbara Bush had been married to George Bush for 73 years for 92 years. It was the longest marriage between a president and a first lady in American history.
Former President Bill Clinton: They would probably prevent both of them from saying that – their lives – they both did more than they would have done, l & # 39; 39 one or the other they, had not been together. I mean, they are– a remarkable, amazing partnership.
Former President George W. Bush: This is a guy who, by the way, who goes to Yale is a kind of star to Yale, baseball captain, Phi Beta Kappa, and had to go go to Wall Street and decide to settle in Odessa, Texas. And he goes out and rents a duplex. It's a thriving oil city, now in & # 39; 48. And– and our neighbors in this duplex were prostitutes.
Norah O Donnell: Really?
Former President George W. Bush: Yes. And we shared the bathroom with them. And –
Norah O 'Donnell: What did Barbara Pierce Bush think about it?
Former President George W. Bush: Yes, I do not know. (LAUGH) But I … I have fortunately not been old enough to know.
Norah O'Neill Donnell: When I spoke to your mother last time, she said that he never said "no" to him. 19659002] Former President George W. Bush: That's why they remained married for 70 years. It's a real love story. As my mother said, "it's the only man I've ever kissed."
In 1953, the Bush lost their second child, Robin, who had leukemia when she was only three years old. But the family continued to grow. George W., joined by Jeb, Neil, Marvin and finally Doro, established in Houston in 1959.
Former President Ronald Reagan, left, his wife Nancy Reagan, the new First Lady Barbara Bush and her husband President George Bush, right down the steps of the Capitol after the ceremony inaugural in Washington, DC, Friday, January 20, 1989.
J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP
It is there that James Baker became almost a member of the family.
After Baker lost his first wife as a result of cancer, George Bush asked him to join his campaign for the Senate in 1964, to help him deal with his grief.
George Bush's father, Prescott Bush, was a senator. from Connecticut until in 1963 and approved the decision of his son to join the family business.
James Baker: It was about in his blood.
George HW Bush Archives: A fantastic father had instilled a sense of service to my country …
James Baker: He used to go around – in some of these first races, and he said: "My father instilled in me an appreciation of the public service". I said, "George, stop talking about instilled.You run to Texas.Nobody understands this here." (LAUGH) So I think it was probably his intention – to get into politics right from the start.
He lost his first race in the Senate in 1964 and another in 1970.
But never gave up the idea he could be president.
James Baker: I have never known anyone one of the most competitive of my life. Very competitive. Well, he went to the presidency of the United States while he was an asterisk in the polls.
James Baker: Nobody took it seriously. And then, in '79, people were making fun of us. Some people in Texas said, "Why are you doing this?" I said, "Because it's my friend, and I think it will make a president extraordinarily good."
James Baker is the only man in history to be the White House's chief of staff, secretary of the treasury and secretary of state. But the most important role in his life may have been that of a "friend" of George H.W. Bush.
James Baker: He is a huge, he occupies a huge place in my life. And – There have been many people who have helped me along the way. But the guy who really got me started, who started me, who turned me into … at one point in my life, I already said that if I ever got a day Alcoholic, that's when I lost this woman and I have four little children. And he was there for me and always.
In the disputed presidential election of 2000, James Baker led the lawsuit that ultimately allowed the White House to win the eldest son award from his old friend.
241 years of history of the republic, only two fathers and sons became president. John Adams and John Quincy Adams and George Herbert Walker Bush and George W. Bush
Norah O Donnell: How proud was he of your assumption of the presidency?
Former President George W. Bush: Oh man! It was– (LAUGH) You know, my favorite story about all this is that I just got sworn in and Andy Card said, "Why do not you go down to the top of the line? Ring to see how one feels as a president? " And I said: "agree". So I went to sit there and I just went around my father.
Former President George W. Bush: Andy had told my father that I was there. Et il est descendu et j'ai dit: «Monsieur le président, je vous souhaite la bienvenue. Il a dit: "Merci, Monsieur le Président." Et c'est à peu près tout ce qui a été dit pendant un moment. Et ce fut un moment très profond pour moi.
Norah O'Donnell: Qu'est-ce qu'il vous a dit quand vous étiez président, quel genre de –
L'ancien président George W. Bush: Je vous aime. Et, vous savez, aussi ringard que cela puisse paraître – ce sont les mots les plus importants que vous puissiez entendre dans la vie. Vous n'entendez pas beaucoup de gens dire «je t'aime» quand vous êtes président. (RIRE)
Norah O'Donnell: Votre père n'a jamais été à l'aise avec le mot héritage.
L'ancien président George W. Bush: Ouais. Je ne suis pas non plus…
Norah O'Donnell: C'est ce que l'on appelle le… le mot L.
L'ancien président George W. Bush: Je ne le suis pas non plus.
Norah O'Donnell: Pourquoi
L'ancien président George W. Bush: Parce que c'est… c'est un peu intéressé. You know? Regarde moi. De plus, si vous y réfléchissez vraiment, vos contributions au pays ne seront jamais pleinement connues tant que le temps ne sera pas écoulé.
Norah O'Donnell: Mais en tant que son fils aîné , quel serait selon vous son héritage?
Ancien président George W. Bush: Tout d’abord, l’un des aspects de sa présidence est qu’il a suivi une grande figure de la politique présidentielle, Ronald Reagan. Je veux dire, Ronald Reagan a jeté une ombre géante. Et il devrait. Je veux dire, il est un président transformateur. Et deuxièmement, les historiens ont tendance à se focaliser sur les présidents à deux mandats. Et donc je me sens vraiment bien avec les gens, s'ils analysent non seulement ses réalisations mais aussi son caractère, ils diront: "Job bien fait, George H. W. Bush."
