MEACHAM: How are you doing? GEORGE BUSH: There’s the joy of having this Florida situation over and having the decision final, and yet there’s a sense of the huge task that lies ahead. So it’s a combination, but most of it is the pride we feel in our son and the joy we feel in our hearts.
The president-elect’s got a very hard road ahead. What’s he feeling? GB: Determination. I just hung up talking to him. It’s determination to do the job. It’s going to be difficult, and he knows that. But soon all the pundits and experts and professors are going to be talking about something else all the time. Maybe world peace. The subject’ll change. And when it does, the American people will want to see George succeed. But of course, how can I judge? I’m the father of the next president, and people aren’t going to come up to me and say, “Hey, I hope the kid stubs his toe.” But I think Gore’s speech was absolutely fantastic, so gracious. It set the right tone.
In your first 100 days, you had congressmen in, took pictures of them in the Lincoln Bedroom. Is that a model for your son? GB: No model, but George has been so good at bringing people together, and he will try to as president of the United States. I think he’ll be much better [at reaching across party lines] than I was. We tried, but eventually we got polarized. It happened along the way in there. George will do better at that than I did.
I know you say you’re out of the “advice business,” but what will your role be? GB:Proud father. I’m serious… I talk to George all the time on a lot of stuff, but I just don’t discuss what it is. He’s my son, for goodness’ sake. But he doesn’t need me as a heavy hand. That would be a demoralizing or inhibiting factor on his staff.
How do you think the new president can overcome the mess of the last 36 days? GB:It’s reaching out, and meaning it–in your heart. You can’t just do it because three staffers come running in and say, “Call this guy.” Time heals a lot of wounds, a lot of wounds. I think you’ll find next spring that people won’t be chattering about this “narrow win.”
BARBARA BUSH: We’re very excited for [George and Laura]. You be nice to him now. I want to start reading magazines and papers again.
So no more news blackout? BB: No, I’m going to start reading again. But I’m giving you fair warning.
