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.
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 George O'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 of his 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 Bush. Steve Symms of Idaho, later a
senator, wanted "a Goldwater man" like Reagan, or Williams of Delaware. But, Symms
added, "I would accept our National Chairman 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 to Whitehurst,
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 Florida, Don Young of Alaska, Roger Zion of Indiana-- all listed Bush as
their prime choice. The Republican House 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 Republican elected 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 the result. 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.