My Father, My President, by Doro Bush Koch: on Civil Rights

George Bush Sr.: 1998: gay status of personal aide "doesn't matter to us"

For the first 4 years after leaving the White House, my father's personal aide, Michael Dannenhauer, went just about everywhere with Dad. They had developed a very close relationship, but all that time Michael also lived with a deeply held fear. "All those years I always wondered if the president assumed I was gay," Michael said. "In 1998, in the back of my mind I wondered if he would want me to be his chief of staff if he knew I was gay."

Michael confided in Jean Becker, Dad's chief of staff who was taking time off to help Dad write "All the Best." In December 1998, Michael was in Dad's office. "Now, don't be mad at Jean," Dad started the conversation. "Don't be mad at Jean, because I asked her. I asked her if you are gay."

Caught totally off guard, Michael sat down and was unable to look at Dad. "I want you to know I don't care," Dad continued. "Barbara and I love you. You are a part of our family, and it doesn't matter to us that you're gay. I am not embarrassed of you and never will be."

Source: My Father, My President, by Doro Koch Bush, p.467-468 Oct 6, 2006

George W. Bush: W stands for Women: get out the women's vote

I was happy to join Jenna & Barbara [on the campaign trail for their first time] on the campaign's "W Stands for Women" grassroots effort aimed at getting out the women's vote. Every vote counted. George thought the women's vote was key--naturally, because he's surrounded himself with so many strong women, like his chief political adviser, Karen Hughes, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Margaret Spellings, his former domestic policy adviser and now secretary of education, to name a few. Source: My Father, My President, by Doro Koch Bush, p.505 Oct 6, 2006

The above quotations are from My Father, My President A Personal Account of the Life of George H. W. Bush by Doro Bush Koch. Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by George Bush Sr. on Civil Rights. Click here for more quotes by Jeb Bush on Civil Rights.
*2012 Presidential contenders on Civil Rights:*
	*Democrats:* Pres.Barack Obama(IL) V.P.Joe Biden(DE) *Republicans:* Gov.Mitt Romney(MA) Rep.Paul Ryan(WI)	*Third Parties:* Green: Dr.Jill Stein(MA) Libertarian: Gov.Gary Johnson(NM) Justice: Mayor Rocky Anderson(UT) Constitution: Rep.Virgil Goode(VA) Peace+Freedom: Roseanne Barr(HI) Reform Party: André Barnett(NY) AmericansElect: Gov.Buddy Roemer(LA)
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Page last updated: Jan 10, 2013