Byrd, Reagan, and James Buckley. [fn 7] In the final tally of Senate picks, Rocky edged out Bush
with 14 choices to Bush's 12, followed by Goldwater with 11.
Bush was stronger in the House, where many members had served side by side with their old friend
Rubbers. Bush was the first choice of Bill Archer of Texas (who had inherited Bush's old district,
and who praised Bush for having "led the fight in Congress for disclosure and reform"), Skip
Bafalis of Florida, William G. Bray of IndiVirginia, John Buchana of Alabama, Charles Chamberlain of Michigan, Donald Clancy of Ohio,ana, Dan Brotzman of Colorado, Joe Broyhill of (^)
Del Dawson of California, and Thad Cochran of Mississippi. William Armstrong of Colorado
struck a discordant note by urging Ford to pick "a person who has extensive experience in
ELECTED public office." William S. Cohen of Maine found that Bush did "not have quite the
range of experience of Richardson or RocDavis of Wisconsin, Derwinksi of Illinois (a long-term ally who eventually rose to the Bush cabinetkefeller. James Collins favored Bush "as a Texan." Glenn (^)
after having served with Bush at the UN mission in New York), Sam Devine of Ohio, and Pierre S.
Du Pont IV of Delaware -all for Bush. William Dickinson of Alabama found Bush "physically
attractive" with "no political scars I am aware of" and "personally very popular." But then came
John J. Duncan of Tennessee, who told Ford that he could not "support any of the fifteen or somentioned in the news media."
Marvin Esch of Michigan was for Bush, as was Peter Frelinghuysen of New Jersey. Edwin D.
Eshelman told Ford to go for Bush "if you want a moderate." The Bush brigade went on with
Charles Gubser of California, and Hammerschmidt of Arkansas, still very close to Bush today. JohnHeinz of Pennsylvania was having none of Bush, but urged Ford to take Rockefeller, Scranton, or
Richardson, in that order. John Erlenborn of Illinois was more than captivated by Bush, writing
Ford that Bush "is attractive personally--people tend to like him on sight." Why, "he has almost no
political enemies" that Erlenborn knew of. Bud Hillis of Indiana, Andrew Hinshar of California,
Marjorie Holt- for BusRockefeller that he was for Bush. Lawrence Hogan of Maryland was so "disturbed" about the prospect ofh too. Hudnut of Indiana put Bush as his second choice after favorite (^)
son Gov. Otis Bowen because Bush was "fine, clean."
Jack Kemp of New York, now in the Bush cabinet, was for Bush way back then, interestingly
enough. LTrent Lott of Mississippi, who has since moved up to the Senate, told Ford that he neededagomarsino of California put Bush third, Latta of Ohio put him second only to Rocky.
somebody "young and clean" and that "perhaps George Bush fits that position." Manuel Lujan of
New Mexico, who also made the Bush cabinet, was a solid Bush rooter, as was Wiley Mayne of
Iowa. Pete McCloskey put Bush second to Richardson, but ahead of Rocky. John McCollister of
Nebraska deluded himself that Bush could be confirmed without too much trouble: McCollister wasfor Bush because "I believe he could pass the Judiciary Committee's stern test" because "he had no
policy making role in the sad days now ended," but perhaps Ford knew better on that one.
Clarence Miller of Ohio was for Bush. Congressman Bob Michel, ever climbing in the House GOP
hierarchy, had long-winded arguments for Busremainder of Ford's term, but Bush would be a trump card for 1976. "Gh. Rocky, he thought, could "help most" over theeorge Bush would not
command all the immediate adulation simply because he hasn't had as long a proven track record in
the business and industrial community, but his credentials are good," wrote Michel. "He is young
and he would work day and night and he would never attempt to 'upstage the boss.' Aside from
projecting a 'straight arrow image,' he would be acceptable to the more conservative element in theparty that would be offended by the appointment of Rockefeller." In addition, assured Michel, Bush (^)
enjoyed support among Democrats "from quarters I would not have believed possible," "and they
are indeed influential Democrats." "Over and above this, we may be giving one of our own a good
opportunity to follow on after a six-year Ford administration," Michel concluded.