Donal Mitchell of New York was for Bush because of his "rich background," which presumably
meant money. Ancher Nelson thought Bush had "charisma," and he was for him. But GeorgeO'Brien of Illinois was also there with that bothersome request for "someone who was elected and (^)
was serving in a federal position." Stan Parris of Alexandria, Virginia, a faithful yes-man for Bush
until his defeat in 1990, was for Bush- of course. Jerry Pettis of California for Bush. Bob Price of
Texas urged Ford to tap Bush, in part because of his "excellent" ties to the Senate, which were "due
to his own efforts and the friendships of his father." Albert Quie of Minnesota had some support ofhis own for the nod, but he talked favorably about Bush, whom he also found "handsome." "He has (^)
only one handicap," thought Quie, "and that is, he lost an election for the Senate." Make that two
handicaps. Score J. Kenneth Robinson of Virginia for Bush, along with Philip Ruppe of Michigan,
who lauded Bush's "human warmth." Earl Ruth of northern California and William Steigler of
Wisconsin for BusReagan, or Williams of Delaware. But, Symms added, "I would accept our National Chairmanh. Steve Symms of Idaho, later a senator, wanted "a Goldwater man" like (^)
Bush." Guy Vander Jagt of Michigan confided to his former colleague Ford that "my personal
recommendation is George Bush." John H. Ware broke a lance for Chairman George, and then
came the endorsement of G. William Whitehurst of Virginia, an endorsement that stood out for its
freemasonic overtones in a field where freemasonic modulations were rife. According toWhitehurst, who has a parkway with his name on it in the capital, Bush demonstrates "those special (^)
characteristics that qualify a man for the highest office if fate so designates." This is one Ford
would have had no trouble understanding. Bob Wilson of California was for Bush, also considering
the long term perspectives; he liked Bush's youthful enthusiasm and saw him as "a real leader for
moderation" Larr Winnof Kansas, Wendell Wyatt of Oregon, Bill Young of FAlaska, Roger Zion of Indiana-- all listed Bush as their prime choice. The Republican Houselorida, Don Young of
Steering Committee went for Bush because of his "general acceptance." [fn 8]
When Ford's staff tabulated the House results, Bush's combined total of 101 first, second and third
choice mentions put him in the lead, over Rocky at 68 and Reagan at 23. Among all the Republicanelected and appointed offocials who had expressed an opinion, Bush took first place with 255
points, with Rockefeller second with 181, Goldwater third wiith 83, Reagan with 52, followed by
Richardson, Melvin Laird, and the rest. It was a surprise to no one that Bush was the clear winner
among the Republican National Committee respondents, which he had personally solicited and
screened, and even Ford's people do not seem to have been overly impressed by this part of theresult. But all in all it was truly a monument to the Bush network, achieved for a candidate with no (^)
qualifications who had very much participated in the sleaze of the Nixon era.
The vox populi saw things slightly differently. In the number of telegrams received by the White
House, Goldwater was way ahead with 2280 ihim and 92 against. Rocky had 544 in favor, and a whopping 3202 an his favor, and only 102 against. Bush had 887 forgainst. [fn 9]
But even here, the Bush network had been totally mobilized, with a very large effort in the Dallas
business community, among black Republicans, and by law firms with links to the Zionist lobby.
Ward Lay of Frito-Lay joined with Herman W. Lay to support Bush. The law firm of McKenzieand Baer of Dallas assured Ford that Bush was "Mr. Clean." There was a telegram from Charles
Pistor of the Republic National Bank of Dallas, and many others.
The all court press applied by the Bush machine also generated bad blood. Rockefeller supporter
Tom Evans, a former RNC co-chair, wrote to Ford with the observation that "no onecampaign for the position and I offer these thoughts only because of an active campaign that is should (^)
being conducted on George Bush's behalf which I do not believe properly reflects Republican
opinion." Evans was more substantive than most recommendations: "Certainly one of the major
issues confronting our country at this time is the economy and the related problems of inflation,
unemployment, and high interest rates. I respectfully suggest that you need someonme who can help