In any event, I am going to work as hard as possible and do my very best. . . . campaigning in Texas on a Statewide basis is more exhausting than anything I have ever done. . . .
Pop
Earlier that summer Congress had passed the controversial Civil Rights Bill of 1964—the Senate had debated a record-breaking eighty-three days before voting. It was a difficult issue for me. I opposed discrimination of any kind and abhorred racism. Changes obviously needed to be made, but I agreed with Barry Goldwater and others who supported the concept of civil rights but felt strongly this bill was unconstitutional and threatened more rights than it protected. I decided I could not support the bill and said so in my campaign. Yarborough had voted for it, which would not help him in Texas. But I was not comfortable using that in the campaign because my reasons for not supporting the bill were very different from those who hated the bill for racist reasons. I wrote this letter to my friend and supporter Marjorie Arsht, who was a leader in Houston’s Jewish community.
7-28
Dear Marjorie—
. . . My heart is heavy—I have traveled the state for 2 weeks. The civil rights issue can bring Yarborough to sure defeat. I know this now for certain—but I am not sure that a fair and moderated debate on civil rights can do it. Goldwater’s position is correct (and parenthetically so is mine)—for Texas and for the USA. We must develop this position reasonably, prudently, sensitively—we must be sure we don’t inflame the passions of unthinking men to garner a vote; yet it is essential that the position I believe in be explained. I believe I am right—I know we must have restraint, yet I don’t want this restraint to prevent right from prevailing—My heart aches for Tom D25 . . .
What shall I do? How will I do it? I want to win but not at the expense of justice, not at the expense of the dignity of any man—not at the expense of hurting a friend nor teaching my children a prejudice which I do not feel. . . .
I want and need the advice of one who can perhaps understand what troubles me!
George
Sunday, 8-16
Dear Ike,26
. . . Things are shaping up. The schedule is now full blast Sundays included. We are broadened out past the ladies coffee set—have now reached the Bar B Que and Rotary stage—somehow I miss the intimacy of the former.
. . . R.Y. is getting mean . . . hope to generate an idea for sticking a telling blow on Ralph—preferably above the belt, but as your note suggested, maybe I can find a way to gently nudge him in the groin—oh not really!!!
Many thanks,
G Bush
I resoundingly lost that election. The entire Republican Party took a drubbing because of Lyndon Johnson’s landslide win over Barry Goldwater. The cause was especially hopeless in Texas, where the popular Texas President’s coattails were long. So I decided to give up politics—at least momentarily—and go back to being an oilman. First, however, I had to thank some of the people who had supported me, both those inside and outside Texas.
November 10, 1964
Mr. Richard M. Nixon
Nixon, Mudge, Rose, Guthrie & Alexander
New York 5, N.Y.
Dear Dick,
November 3rd has come and gone and we got whipped, and whipped soundly, but out of the gloom on November 3rd there are some bright spots. It is too early to analyze the election here in the state but I think objectivity dictates that we were caught in the landslide. Johnson beat Goldwater by some 700,000 votes and Yarborough beat me by 300,000 votes. Actually we received more votes than any other Republican has ever gotten in Texas, polling over 1,100,000 but with the Johnson landslide it was not in the cards to be enough vote splitting. The minority groups, principally the Negroes went to the polls and voted 98.5% to 1.5% against me. It was not my position on civil rights because they also gave the same margin they gave Johnson to people like Joe Pool, Bob Casey and to all congressmen who voted against the Civil Rights Bill. Nineteen of Texas’ congressmen voted against the Bill and all the Democrats in the delegation got this type of percentage from the Negroes. The Negro went to the poll and “voted her straight”.
We had a good campaign with the best people in Texas involved; a wonderfully dedicated spirit; a sense of humor, something I’m afraid the Goldwater campaign did not have; and a lot of dedication. I think we have a base for a future race should the opportunity present itself.
I am anxious to stay active in the Party and this I intend to do. I talked to Pete O’Donnell, our State Chairman, the other day and told him that I felt that the immediate job would be to get rid of some of the people in the Party who [permit] no difference, who through their overly dedicated conservatism are going to always keep the Party small. I have great respect for Barry Goldwater. In fact, most of his positions are totally acceptable to me. The only criticism is that his campaign, in many areas, in our State anyway, got taken over by a bunch of “nuts” whose very presence at a rally would shake up a plain fellow coming in to make up his mind. When they discovered a “doubtful” voter, instead of giving him some pro Goldwater literature they would hand him a bunch of hate stuff on Johnson. This, of course, is not the reason Goldwater lost, by a long shot, but there is too much of it and responsible people are now going to have to stand up and do something about it.
Now after giving you this background let me tell you the purpose of this letter. It is first to thank you again for your wonderful visit here in Houston. It helped immeasurably. You really got under Ralph’s skin and he kept going around after this visit saying “I really am effective” and “my colleagues really do like me”. In fact he ran in a few left-wing colleagues to prove his point. Your visit was great and all of us here appreciate it. It was a terrific help in fund raising.
Secondly, I have followed your comments about Nelson Rockefeller and others in the paper and I am in whole-hearted accord. Under no circumstances will Texas take Nelson Rockefeller. He would get beaten here far worse than Barry Goldwater. Goldwater’s philosophy was not rejected. It was the false image that people had about Goldwater and the Johnson presence on the ticket. More particularly the latter I believe. Rockefeller’s brand of liberalism just won’t hunt here. You said some things that had to be said in pointing out that he sat on the sidelines and didn’t hit a constructive lick. It’s so true. If there is ever any way in which I can be helpful to you here in Texas let me know. I am anxious to see the Party grow and I believe the ideas that you spelled out in the papers last week make a hell of a lot of sense.
I am now back at work in the offshore drilling business where things from a business standpoint are very exciting. I must say its still hard to concentrate after the intensity of the Senate campaign. I get to New York once in a while and would like to drop by and say hello to you because I will always be indebted for the help you gave me.
Yours truly,
George Bush
November 13, 1964
Mrs. Brad Streeter
Wichita Falls, Texas
Dear Virginia,
The tears have dried, the dogs have stopped barking at me, the kids have let me back in the house and the people here at Zapata are beginning to recognize that they are going to have to put up with me once again. A certain normalcy is returning to things. One which, frankly on November 4th, I doubted would ever come back.
Now I can tell you just how much I appreciate the job which you and Brad did for me over the past year. You worked with a dedication and a selflessness that is rare and in addition you made every visit to Wichita Falls extremely pleasant. I just doubt the campaign, though arduous, could have been more fun. We had such terrific people around the State putting in so much work.
To you both my heartfelt thanks and deepest affection. You are terrific and someday, some way I hope I can tell you in person how deeply I feel.
Yours truly,
George Bush
After the thrashing the Republican Party took in 1964, I was concerned (as were most Republicans) about what the party could and should do to get back
on track. I wrote this letter to Peter O’Donnell, a good friend and chairman of the Texas State Republican Party, and Texas senator John Tower.
Dec. 16, 1964
Mr. Peter O’Donnell
Dallas, Texas
Senator John G. Tower
#142, Old Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Peter and John,
I am writing this letter to urge on you two courses of action which I feel will be beneficial to the Party and to winning elections.
First . . . I think it is essential that the State Executive Committee go on record in favor of responsibility and as opposed to Birchism (whether by name or not is debatable). This is no move towards liberalism—it simply takes some long overdue action in favor of right and against these mean, negative, super-patriots who give Texas Republicans the unfortunate image of total irresponsibility.
. . . The second point is with reference to Dean Burch.27 All of us have admitted that the last campaign was a disaster. Burch didn’t run it, but presumably he had a lot to do with it. He’s a good guy but unfortunately in the eyes of the people, he is the symbol of defeat.
I realize that both of you are on record as favoring the retention of Burch; however, I think it is important that a difference of opinion be permitted to exist on this point without pressure. I feel Burch should step aside . . . I think he should be replaced by a man of predominantly conservative persuasion . . . I am not for changing the Party’s philosophy as outlined in the platform. I am for broadening the base of the Party, permitting differences to exist, etc.
. . . How I hope we can learn a lesson from the past so as to win in the future!
Yours very truly,
George Bush
I tried to keep focused on business in 1965—and I had doubts whether I wanted to run again for public office anyway—but it wasn’t long before friends started talking to me about another race, this one for Congress. I wrote this note to my extraordinarily able friend Charles Untermeyer, who would work for me in various capacities for years to come.
July 20, 1965
Mr. Charles Untermeyer
Houston, Texas 77024
Dear Charles,
. . . Regarding the congressional race in the 7th District, it is way too early to make up one’s mind on something like this although there is a possibility that I will run. I am going to think about it, but so many factors enter into a decision of this nature, such as business, family life, etc., that I just can’t decide this far in advance.
Should I run, I would most certainly welcome your support next summer. Thanks again for your thoughtful letter and please excuse my delay in answering it.
Yours very truly,
George Bush
En route K’port to Houston
Dear Gerry & Margaret,
That was a real nice clam bake—In fact that was a nice summer. We’re now somewhere between Newark (god it was hot during that long stay on the ground there) and Atlanta—last stop before Houston. The kids are reaching that kind of restless stage—you know the pinch that’s just a little harder and the whine—just a touch more penetrating—but I don’t care. My thoughts are back near the beach busy with some wily ones on the hook, or in the cold water, or on the links or courts, or in the sack on a cold Maine night, and no fight or tease can divert me now.
What fun we had, and how much you have contributed to it. After you left it wasn’t as great. We had a good big storm come through so we got some great rock pounding surf and some real cold days. We had a couple of hot tennis and golfs and some rebelling28—no mackerel at all—they left. John [Bush] brought Dina, his girl down . . . We had a cocktail party on the point, John & Bucky did—planning as to food was poor—John at 10 came to our house for some scraps of ham and some frozen English muffins—He cooked this all together—result: English muffins black on the outside—ice cold in; ham, pretty scraggly—No one cared . . .
Today was a perfect Maine day—crisp, clear—we crowded all the action in we could and then took off in a Grapes of Wrath like scene—
I am sad to be going home in a way—yet also glad. That great and wonderful feeling that K’port gives. We are happy you were there—it made our summer perfect—and as we now again start in to compete in business, as we now start to try to figure out where we are and where we go . . . we do it all refreshed and with much happiness for having seen you all . . .
Adios and love,
Poppy
Storms were always one of the biggest enemies of the offshore oil industry, and I had become accustomed to dealing with battered and washed-up oil rigs. However, the worst happened in 1965, probably best explained in this “chairman’s letter” in the 1965 annual report:
In the history of our company the year 1965 will be remembered both as a year of progress and a year of disappointment. I believe you will find the progress clearly spelled out in the following report on our activities and in the financial statements. The disappointment came in the loss of our large and highly successful drilling barge MAVERICK which disappeared in Hurricane Betsy.
On September 9th, the day Hurricane Betsy struck, MAVERICK was located 20 miles off the Louisiana Coast in 220 feet of water. The following day an inspection showed Zapata’s three other rigs were undamaged, but the MAVERICK had vanished.29 This was the largest single loss that the domestic offshore drilling industry sustained in this or any other hurricane. Another rig, identical to the MAVERICK, drilling less than 40 miles from it, came through the storm with no damage. The unpredictability of hurricanes was borne out by the freak occurrence.
. . . The MAVERICK loss was a substantial one for Zapata. This was our newest rig and one of our very best contracts; but in spite of this loss we posted record earnings. Fortunately, we have two other rigs under construction and the earning power generated by this new equipment should assure Zapata’s future growth. . . .
Respectfully submitted,
George H. W. Bush
Chairman
The political bug bit me once again and I decided to run for Congress. I realized I could not pursue both a career in politics and do justice to our public shareholders of Zapata. I made the agonizing decision to sell my shares in Zapata, being sure any shareholders wanting to sell were offered the same price I received. Anyone who has started and run a company can appreciate what a tough move this was, but I felt it was best for all involved. I wrote family friend Tom Devine, who had been an investor and supporter:
Feb. 6th
Dear T:
. . . There are so many trying days that I remember well—bent legs, no work, storms, financial crises, personnel problems—you name it—and through them all you were there to give me so darn much help and so much good advice.
I feel like I am selling a baby. I am sure that it is right, but I have a strong feeling for the individuals at Zapata. I will miss them, I will miss their problems. . . . (you remember the one with the sex problem after her husband was killed in a plane crash) through the rest of the office types, to Hoyt, and Buster30 and the others who have made Zapata click on a day to day basis.
I think, Tom, that you more than any other Zapata director understood the business and knew the enormity of our problems, or when they were not so big you were the first to size this up too. . . .
I am lucky to have your friendship, your wonderful loyal friendship; and the happy thing about all this is that I know it.
Cheers,
G. Bush
In the end, I guess selling Zapata was worth it. I became the first Republican elected from Texas’s Seventh Congressional District, beating conservative Democrat Frank Briscoe.
Nov. 13th
Dear Bemi,
Thanks for your wire and your great letter. Needless to say we were thrilled. The margin turned out to be almost 58% so this may bode well for the future. I was running against their supposed best vote getter. The hard-hitting crusading D.A. type. He proved to be less formidable on national issues than we had tho
ught and he pitched his campaign way over in right field—near the Birchers—strongly anti Lyndon and a subtle appeal to the back-lash. . . . In any event he has been done in (saying after the election that Bush’s money and LBJ cost him the election—not too gracious in defeat) . . .
So where now. Bar and I are going to D.C. Wednesday for two days to apartment hunt. We have decided to leave the lads here in school until June and Bar will be here a lot. I’ll commute—unsatisfactory but no other plan seems as good . . . Thursday night we go to Hobe for four days with Mum and Dad—the unwinding department. John Bush came down for the election and was, as you can imagine, something else again.
Love to all . . .
Pop
So after eighteen years in Texas (minus a year in California), Barbara and I headed for Washington. Though Texas remained our home—our base—we had no idea then that it would be twenty-six years before we would come back to stay put for good. Just as my World War II experience taught me a lot about life, so did my years in the Texas oil fields. I learned the honor system of doing business—just a simple handshake sealed many of our deals. I learned what it meant to take risks, and how to start over when you failed. I learned the true meaning of grief when Robin died. Sometimes when a child dies, the parents drift apart; but miraculously, her passing strengthened our faith and our love for each other.
We made some of our best friends in Midland, and later in Houston. We really grew up together and raised our children together. Our Texas friends have stuck with us all these years, through losing and winning. It’s only appropriate that in 1999 we’re all together again, living just down the street or across town from each other—just as we did in the fifties and sixties. They are the reason why, after the 1992 election, we never thought twice about what to do next: go home to Texas, of course.
Congress of the United States
All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings Page 10
