The Bush family claim a heritage from the Great Charlemagne. I believe it. Barbara Bush also had Charlemagne bloodlines. They carried themselves with profound dignity and poise.
The Kennedy’s may bring Camelot to mind but the Bush Family clearly carry royalty in their genes. I had the honor of meeting President George H.W. Bush in 1992. I asked him to move the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He said he would try. He liked the idea. He was animated about it. Senator Al D’Amato who was a close confidant of the President and a Great Friend of Israel and the Jewish People had set up the meeting.
George H.W. Bush only served one term as President. This was shocking because he had just won a war over Saddam Hussein who had invaded Kuwait in Gulf War I in a decisive fashion. Some thought he should have gone all the way and finished him off. This was especially true since Saddam Hussein later tried to assassinate him.
The reason George H.W. Bush did not win a second term was that his Secretary of State James Baker had infuriated his Jewish backers by threatening Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir, applying relentless pressure on Israel and his refusal to meet with General Ariel Sharon.
James Baker was the problem. I remember a conversation I had back then with Senator D’amato and then Secretary of Housing Jack Kemp (who did in heroic defiance to James Baker meet with Ariel Sharon). Senator D’amato who was fearless went over to James Baker and asked him if he knew who the Jews compared him to? Senator D’amato told him it was Haman. It did not seem to phase Mr. Baker the least bit.
Secretary of State James Baker cost President H.W. Bush a second term.
One of President H.W. Bush best appointments was making John Bolton Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizational Affairs. Mr. Bolton who now serves as National Security Advisor delivered one of George H.W. Bush’s greatest achievements. After festering in the United Nations for nineteen years Mr. Bolton struck down the vicious Anti-Semitic “Zionism is Racism” Resolution. Mr. Bolton was one of George H.W. Bush’s great finds and an attestation of the President’s brilliance, political acumen and vision.
His son George W. Bush learned from his father’s mistakes. He did not appoint James Baker to a cabinet post. George W. Bush became one of Israel’s Greatest Friends. He had a great relationship with Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu. He appointed John Bolton Ambassador to the United Nations.
George W. Bush learned from his father (he gave a stirring eulogy) and proved the royalty of the Bush lineage. The Bush’s are far from done leading this great country. They will be back some day. The passing of President H.W. Bush and the profound universal grieving highlights the family’s extraordinary impact and legacy.
