Late Friday night the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush passed away at the age of 94, just months after his late wife Barbara Bush died.
Saturday, Bush’s former political opponent Bill Clinton (who defeated him in the 1992 Presidential Election) and would later become a close friend released the Oval Office letter left for him by the conservative patriarch.
Via the Washington Post:
Dear Bill,
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.
ou 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
Clinton went on to say:
Many people were surprised at our relationship, considering we were once political adversaries. Despite our considerable differences, I had admired many of his accomplishments as president, especially his foreign policy decisions in managing America’s response to the end of the Cold War and his willingness to work with governors of both parties to establish national education goals. Even more important, though he could be tough in a political fight, he was in it for the right reasons: People always came before politics, patriotism before partisanship. To the end, we knew we would never agree on everything, and we agreed that was okay. Honest debate strengthens democracy.
After serving as Ronald Reagan‘s Vice President for eight years, Bush was elected president in 1988 defeating democrat Michael Dukakis in a political landslide 426-111. He became the first sitting Vice President to be elected to the White House since Martin Van Buren in 1836 and has since been the last first term president.
Although the 1992 was emergence of the Clinton political machine on a national level, Much of Bush 41’s political misfortunes in the 92′ election not only came from the Arkansas Governor but also third-party candidate Ross Perot who managed to get 18.9 percent of the vote which could have propelled Bush into a second term. Clinton ended up winning that election 370-168 with 43 percent of the popular vote.
