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1. Character Forged by Family and Values

Of all the influences in his life, nobody did more to mold his character than his mother.

Strong moral compass. George H.W. Bush's character was deeply shaped by his parents, Dorothy and Prescott Bush. His mother instilled humility, good sportsmanship, and the importance of sharing credit, famously asking, "But how did the team do?" His father emphasized service, integrity, and keeping one's word.

Lessons in humility. Dorothy Walker Bush demanded her children downplay personal accomplishments and never brag. She believed true self-confidence didn't require gloating, often using the phrase, "No one likes a braggadocio." These early lessons stayed with him throughout his life.

Foundation of faith. His mother also fostered a strong faith, reading Bible verses daily and emphasizing Proverbs 27:2: "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth." This faith provided a moral framework and capacity to love, influencing his approach to life and service.

2. Early Service and Bold Risk-Taking

For the second time in his young life, George H.W. Bush made a bold and life-changing decision.

WWII enlistment. At 18, inspired by Pearl Harbor and his father's WWI service, he defied advice to go to college and enlisted in the Navy, becoming its youngest pilot. This decision demonstrated his sense of duty and willingness to risk his life for his country.

Moving to West Texas. After the war and Yale, he rejected comfortable Wall Street jobs to move his young family to West Texas. He wanted to build something himself, free from family connections, embracing the challenging environment and competitive oil business.

Entrepreneurial spirit. Starting in Odessa sweeping floors, he quickly sought independence, co-founding oil companies like Zapata Petroleum. He wasn't afraid to take risks, like betting on the revolutionary offshore drilling rig, the Scorpion, driven by a desire to build and innovate.

3. Resilience in the Face of Profound Loss

Do not allow defeat to extinguish your dreams.

Loss of Robin. The death of his three-year-old daughter Robin from leukemia deeply affected George and Barbara Bush. This shared pain, however, strengthened their marriage and fueled their lifelong commitment to childhood cancer research.

Political setbacks. He faced multiple political defeats, including Senate races in 1964 and 1970, and finishing runner-up for the presidential nomination in 1980. Each loss was painful, but he learned from his father's example not to give up on his dreams.

Learning from disappointment. Rather than becoming bitter, he used defeats as opportunities. His father's Senate losses led to a later victory, and his own 1970 loss opened the door to significant diplomatic appointments under President Nixon.

4. Integrity Over Expediency in Public Life

He voted from conviction.

Standing up to McCarthy. As a young party leader, he publicly denounced Senator Joseph McCarthy's methods, calling him a demagogue and a bully, despite McCarthy's popularity. This showed his willingness to stand on principle even when unpopular.

Fair Housing Act vote. As a Congressman, he voted for the Fair Housing Act in 1968, despite overwhelming constituent opposition and death threats. He defended his vote by recounting conversations with African-American soldiers who wanted to buy homes, stating he did what he thought was right.

Watergate and Nixon. As RNC Chairman during Watergate, he defended President Nixon based on trust, but privately urged resignation when evidence of the cover-up emerged. He refused to "pile on" publicly, maintaining his integrity amidst scandal.

5. Mastering Personal Diplomacy and Relationships

He recognized that the key to effective diplomacy was developing personal relationships—an approach that can be called “personal diplomacy.”

UN Ambassador. At the UN, he focused on building trust with fellow ambassadors through personal interactions, hosting events and getting to know their families. This approach fostered cooperation despite political differences.

Liaison to China. As the top US diplomat in Beijing, he and Barbara immersed themselves in Chinese culture, biking around the city and building relationships with officials like Deng Xiaoping. This personal connection proved vital years later.

Global network. His extensive travel as Vice President and President allowed him to cultivate relationships with world leaders. This network of trust was instrumental in building the coalition for the Gulf War and managing the end of the Cold War.

6. Loyalty and Team Leadership in Government

Crisis has a way of revealing character.

CIA Director. Taking the CIA job during a time of intense criticism, he focused on rebuilding morale and defending the agency's mission and people. He chose to work at headquarters, not the White House, showing solidarity.

Vice President. He was fiercely loyal to President Reagan, refusing to distance himself during the Iran-Contra scandal despite political pressure. He saw his role as supporting the President, not undermining him.

Building strong teams. In every role, he prioritized hiring capable people and fostering a team environment. He delegated responsibility, shared credit, and inspired loyalty, believing in the importance of surrounding himself with people of good character.

7. The Underdog's Path to the Presidency

He had overcome long odds before, and he intended to do it again.

Starting from "Asterisk". In 1980, he began his presidential campaign with low name recognition, listed as "others receiving votes" in early polls. He adopted Jimmy Carter's strategy of focusing on early states like Iowa.

Iowa upset. His relentless campaigning in Iowa paid off with a surprising victory in the 1980 caucuses, giving him "Big Mo." However, this momentum was short-lived, and he ultimately lost the nomination to Ronald Reagan.

Overcoming the "Wimp Factor". In 1988, he faced doubts about his toughness, but his strong performance against Dan Rather and his convention speech helped redefine his image. He successfully navigated a crowded primary field and overcame Michael Dukakis's post-convention lead.

8. Decisive Leadership in Global Crises

This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait.

Panama invasion. He ordered the invasion of Panama to remove dictator Manuel Noriega, a decision he described as the toughest of his young presidency. The mission was a success, restoring democracy and capturing Noriega.

Gulf War coalition. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, he quickly rallied a broad international coalition, including Arab nations and the Soviet Union, through extensive personal diplomacy. He secured UN authorization for the use of force.

Operation Desert Storm. He ordered the military operation to liberate Kuwait, which was executed decisively and with minimal casualties. He resisted calls to expand the mission to Baghdad, adhering to the defined objective.

9. Guiding the Peaceful End of the Cold War

Dad reported back that he felt the President could forge a unique working relationship with Gorbachev.

Relationship with Gorbachev. As Vice President, he recognized Mikhail Gorbachev's potential for reform. As President, he cultivated a personal relationship, privately urging peaceful transitions in Eastern Europe and within the Soviet Union.

Avoiding provocation. Despite pressure to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall, he refused to "dance on the wall," prioritizing stability over political gain. His cautious approach aimed to avoid provoking Soviet hard-liners.

Peaceful dissolution. His strategy contributed to the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. He maintained contact with Gorbachev until the end, marking a historic achievement in ending the Cold War without violence.

10. Navigating Domestic and Political Storms

For all who loved George Bush, 1992 was a painful year.

Budget compromise. Facing a large deficit and recession, he agreed to a budget deal with Congress that included tax increases, breaking his "no new taxes" pledge. This decision fractured his party and damaged his standing.

Primary challenges. He faced unexpected primary challenges from Pat Buchanan and the independent candidacy of Ross Perot. These challenges weakened his base and distracted from his message.

Economic headwinds. Despite his foreign policy successes, the country was focused on a struggling economy. His campaign struggled to connect with voters' economic anxieties, ultimately contributing to his defeat.

11. Finding Peace and Continued Purpose After Office

I no longer pursue happiness…I have found happiness.

Adjusting to private life. Leaving the presidency prematurely was difficult, marked by the sting of defeat and the loss of intensity. He returned to Houston, initially struggling to fill the void left by the job.

Continued service. He found new purpose in post-presidency activities, including raising money for his library and promoting volunteerism through the Points of Light Foundation. He co-authored a book on foreign policy, sharing credit with his friend Brent Scowcroft.

Finding happiness. Despite the pain of defeat, he ultimately found happiness in family, friends, and continued engagement. His later years were marked by a sense of peace and gratitude, reflecting a life dedicated to service and relationships.

Last updated: May 11, 2025