Column: George H.W. Bush remembered as classy president and truly great U.S. vice president
As speaker after speaker yesterday heralded George H.W. Bush’s selfless patriotism and presidential skills, Edwin Meese III reminds us that Bush’s huge influence as vice president under Ronald Reagan should not be overlooked.
“No President has ever had a more loyal or effective vice president,” Meese said during a phone interview. “George Bush did a lot as vice president for eight years. He was a very strong member of the administration. He was chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Relief — a major part of Ronald Reagan’s economic strategy.”
Aside from riding shotgun on Reagan’s policies from 1981 to 1988, Bush was instrumental in overseeing the United States’ drug interdiction effort and the crackdown on maritime narcotics smuggling. He led the National Narcotics Border Interdiction System that drew on both Coast Guard and Navy involvement.
Meese, a former University of San Diego law professor who once lived in La Mesa, was a White House counselor during Reagan’s first presidential term and was appointed U.S. attorney general during Reagan’s second term.
“I spent a lot of time with George Bush on official matters. His office was literally right next to mine in the White House,” recalled Meese, who now lives in McLean, Va. Although 87, he remains actively involved in The Heritage Foundation, on boards and giving speeches. Less than two weeks ago, Meese visited San Diego to address a Lutheran church conference.
“Bush was a regular contributor of ideas and views on policy,” Meese added, calling the vice president’s input during the Reagan years extremely valuable. As president of the Senate, Bush kept an office on Capitol Hill. From that vantage point, he was extremely knowledgeable about the viewpoints of those working in the Senate and could keep President Reagan informed about developments in Congress.
“Bush and Reagan went to lunch every week. They got along well and worked so well together,” Meese observed. “Bush had a lot of good ideas, but he never wanted to outshine the president publicly or outshine a member of the cabinet. He was a very good team player.”
Meese also praised Bush’s friendliness, his thoughtfulness and his common sense. When Meese and his wife, Ursula, joined George and Barbara Bush for dinner at the vice president’s residence, they always had an enjoyable time, and Meese relished George’s sense of humor.
A prime example of his thoughtfulness was when Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton hotel on March 30, 1981. Bush was careful not to be perceived as trying to take over as president, even to the point of not flying to the White House by helicopter, Meese recalled. Instead, Bush ordered the helicopter to drop him, as usual, at his home at U.S. Naval Observatory, then he transferred to a car to be driven to the White House.
“He had such a good sense of what was proper and appropriate,” explained Meese. “He was careful not to be seen as overstepping.”
Bush has been steadfastly praised for his loyalty. Nevertheless, he overlooked Donald Trump’s negative comments about his son, George W. Bush, when graciously including Trump in his memorial service plans.
That gesture did not surprise Meese. “I think it demonstrates his generous spirit and his gentlemanliness. I would have been surprised if he didn’t.”
San Diego calls: Cherry Park, a board member of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl, visited Northwestern University this week to promote the Dec. 31 football bowl game. The team selection announcement was made last Sunday. Big Ten Conference runner-up Northwestern will face the University of Utah Utes in the New Year’s Eve bowl contest here.
Park was introduced Tuesday during Northwestern’s basketball game against Michigan, and she didn’t arrive empty-handed. Park warmly presented Northwestern’s head football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, a gift that he, his staff and players can use in San Diego — a one gallon jug of sunscreen lotion.
Southern California surely will offer a welcome respite from Evanston, Ill., where it was 28 degrees Tuesday evening.
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