A
s Barack Obama sails into
the White House signing
decrees to close
Guantanamo Bay, ban
torture and pull out of Iraq,
Pelican Brief pauses to
remember his predecessor, the man who made
political satire unnecessary.
George W Bush
Born in New Haven, Connecticut on July 6th,
1946. He was the son of George Bush senior,
an ex-president. He had four siblings, Jeb,
Neil, Marvin and Dorothy.
"Families is where our nation finds hope, where
wings take dream."
La Crosse, Wisconsin, October 18th, 2000
In May 1968, Bush enlisted in the Texas Air
National Guard, to escape being enrolled into
the American army in Vietnam.
"I think war is a dangerous place."
Washington DC, May 7th, 2003
He got married in 1957 to Laura Welch.
"I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist,
for joining us today. He married a Texas girl, I
want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West
Texas girl, just like me."
Nashville, Tennessee, May 27th, 2004
In 1978, Bush ran for the House of
Representatives and lost by 6000 votes.
"They misunderestimated me."
Bentonville, Arkansas, November 6th, 2000
In 1994 he ran for Governor of Texas. His
main point was pledging to sign a bill allowing
Texans to obtain permits to carry concealed
weapons.
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful,
and so are we. They never stop thinking about
new ways to harm our country and our people,
and neither do we."
Washington DC, August 5th, 2004
He was elected and ran again in 1998 and
won, becoming the first Texas Governor to be
elected for two four-year terms.
"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children
learning?"
Florence, South Carolina, January 11th, 2000
In June 1999, while Governor of Texas, Bush
announced his candidacy for President of the
United States. Among the runners was John
McCain, Bush's main opponent. Bush won in
2000.
"I know the human being and fish can coexist
peacefully."
Saginaw, Michigan, September 29th, 2000
Some people thought he had set up the
election so he would win, as the vote for
Florida was counted three times before finally
counting him the winner. Once it went to Al
Gore and twice it went to Bush. When he
came to take office, most White House
computer keyboards were missing the letter W.
"There's no question that the minute I got
elected, the storm clouds on the horizon were
Aluredian
44
George W -
A Political Life
by Sam Nixon-Eckersall and
Greg Albery, 4th form