Joe Clark’s Reviews > The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty > Status Update

"George W comes to Jesus and gives up alcohol and recreational drugs. He develops self-control that enables his to keep his volcanic temper and natural nastiness under control in his campaign against Ann Richards for governor of Texas. White male voters power his victory. Jeb loses in Florida but Poppa Bush seems to prefer Jeb over George.
When W runs for president he casts himself as the ant-Clinton."

HW implodes as he runs for reelection in 1992 - hi/lo point - barfing in the Japanese PM's lap at a state dinner
As Lee Atwater dies he pisses off the elder Bush by apologizing for the Willy Horton campaign that got HW elected
When Jeb decides to run for Gov of Florida, W is forced to run for Gov of Texas to keep pace. He has gotten a new stadium for the Astros - earning a $15 million payday at others expense

HW Bush promises a kinder, gentler nation, progress on civil rights and No New Taxes. Makes escapee Willie Horton the most famous black man in America as he rides racial fear mongering into the WH. He vetoes Civil Rights legislation but reneging on the No New Taxes is the move that sinks his career. The Berlin Wall tumbles HWB is phlegmatic. Hussein invades Kuwait. HWB goes to war - oil is importatn

George senior campaigns for president as Reagan's second term comes to a close. He isn't in the running. He has a reputation as a lackey - efforts to present himself as a leader backfire. Dukakis is sitting on a double digit lead
Junior steps into help - he is rude and aggressive. Dad's staff treats him like they would any other hit man. Laura conceives twins with a little medical help but it's a difficult pregnancy

George senior runs for the presidency repeatedly - losing out to Ford and then Reagan. The Reagans develop a disliking for the Bushes but political realities force Ronny to offer the Vice Presidency to Bush.
W meets Laura and they marry after a whirlwind romance. He runs for Congress with Laura at this side.

George senior tries unsuccessfully to unseat Yarborough - twice. Nixon is persuaded to make him UN ambassador as a consolation. Bush's only qualification for the job is that he and his wife like to entertain. Communist China gets a seat on the security council - something George opposed as a Congressman but supports as Nixon's man in the UN.
GHWB pulls strings to get W into the Air National Guard.

Prescott Bush's political is good while it lasts - he''s a very principled man but while he stands for civil rights as a politician he has a strong sense of class entitlement in his personal life
George HW makes a so-so living as an oil executive but Barbara is stuck at home while he is out hustling for a living

George and Barbara's daughter Robin is diagnosed with Leukemia. George ignores advice and contacts an uncle who gets her into an experimental treatment program that keeps her alive for several challenging months. The experience has long lasting effects on the family - young George W especially
Prescott Bush serves in the senate for 8 years but makes an unpolitic stand against Joe McCarthy

George HW survives WWII, marries Barbara, goes thru Yale on a special accelerated program for veterans and launches his career

still working through the early 20th century when the family fortune was established and Yale became the school for Bush men and their friends