Following in Prescott Bush's footsteps, George Bush was implacably hostile to government-
sponsored infrastructure projects. Such projects are of course the essence of the American Systemof political economy as understood by Franklin, Hamilton, Lincoln, and FDR. One ongoing water
project in Texas in 1964 was the Trinity River project. Early in the campaign, Bush said that he
could not support this project because it was exacerbating a federal budegt defecit that was already
too high. But this stance proved so unpopular in the Texas electorate that Bush later flip-flopped,
saying that he had been sympathetic to the Trinity River project all along, and that maybe there wasa way to get it done without adding to the defecit.
On other issues, Bush had the following positions:
On education: "Education is a responsibility of the States. Federal aid inevitably means eventualfederal control. I favor retention of more tax money by the States so as to build the local and state (^)
education programs. We must meet the challenge of education BUT at the State and local levels."
Has the Education President advocated anything different?
On Food stamps: Bush called them a "New Frontier gimmick" with "interesting black marketpossibilities here."
On school prayer Bush was duly sanctimonious: "I am concerned about the erosion of our moral
fibre and religious heritage. I believe that prayers in the public schools on a voluntary basis are in
keeping with the great traditions upon wcourts on prayers in the schools or in reference to God in our lives must be repudiated." hich this country was founded...Vicious attacks in the
On Red China: Beijing, said Bush in 1964 "must never be admitted to the UN. In the event this does
occur, then I advocate withdrawal from the United Nations." Bush was the man who later cast his
vote for the admission of Red China to the world body in 1971.
On the UN: The United Nations "as presently constituted is gravely deficient and has been a failure
in preserving peace. The United States has taken the responsibility for the freedom of the western
world. This responsibility we must not relinquish to the General Assembly. All nations should pay
their dues or lose their vote."
Foreign Aid, Bush's campaign brochure recommends, "should be reduced drastically except in those
areas where technological and military assistance is necessary to the defense of the free world and is
economically advantageous to the United States. We should use our foreign aid to strengthen our
friends and extend freedom, not to placate our enemies."
The Nuclear test Ban treaty, although negotiated by Averell Harriman himself, was rejected by
Bush. According to campaign handouts, the treaty "as ratified by the Senate, will not work. I would
be for a treaty with adequate, foolproof safeguards." Bush added that he was taking this position
"although achildren and just as concened as anyone else about the cleanliness of the air and the sanctity of thenyone opposed [to the treaty] is accused of war- mongering. I'm the father of five (^)
home, but this is a half-way measure and doesn't do the job."
As the Republican senatorial primary approached, Bush declared that he was confident that he
could win an absolute majority and avoid a runoff. Owin the Kentucky Derby without a runoff, and that he would also carry the day on the first round.n April 30, he predicted that Hill Rise would
There was no runoff in the Kentucky Derby, but Bush fell short of his goal. Bush did come in first
with about 44% of the vote or 62,579 votes, while Jack Cox was second with 44,079, with Morris
third and Davis fourth. The total number of votes cast was 142,961, so a second round was required.