On Jan. 20, 1993, I entered the Oval Office for the first time as president. As is the tradition, waiting for me was a note from my predecessor, George Herbert Walker Bush. It read:
When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.
I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.
There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.
You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.
Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.
Good Luck — George
No words of mine or others can better reveal the heart of who he was than those he wrote himself. He was an honorable, gracious and decent man who believed in the United States, our Constitution, our institutions and our shared future. And he believed in his duty to defend and strengthen them, in victory and defeat. He also had a natural humanity, always hoping with all his heart that others’ journeys would include some of the joy that his family, his service and his adventures gave him.
His friendship has been one of the great gifts of my life. From Indonesia to Houston, from the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast to Kennebunkport, Maine — where just a few months ago we shared our last visit, as he was surrounded by his family but clearly missing Barbara — I cherished every opportunity I had to learn and laugh with him. I just loved him.
—Bill Clinton: George H.W. Bush’s Oval Office note to me revealed the heart of who he was
Thank you, Bill Clinton, for sharing this, and thank you George H. W. Bush for being such an inspiration.
December 2, 2018
Amazing time as not a divided nation.
Coffee is on
Yes, a lot has changed since then. 🙁
His family is in our thoughts and prayers. They can take great comfort in the many tributes over the past few days to the wonderful human that he was!
Yes, and he can reunite with his beloved Barbara and their daughter Robin.
There was no greater president since Bush 1. Last pres from the greatest generation.
Yes, the idea of public service doesn’t motivate most political “leaders” today. 🙁
yes, sadly the last of the greatest generation.
we’ve never needed someone like him, as badly as we do now.
His funeral reminds people of what we have lost. 🙁