Character Matters

December 15, 2023
A collection of lessons from a widely admired politician. Becker, former chief of staff to George H.W. Bush and author of the memoir The Man I Knew, again pays homage by bringing together a wide range of sources to expound on Bush's "leadership skills and style, about his big heart, his humility, his courage, his character." In his introduction, former secretary of state James A. Baker calls Bush a "wise and honorable gentleman," an assessment that is echoed throughout, not least in Dan Quayle's epilogue. Bush, he writes, "always putting the needs of the country before his own--embodied the values of integrity, loyalty, and selflessness." To former British prime minister John Major, Bush "could be shy; diffident; was a good listener; and spoke only when he had views worth sharing. He was also decent, wise, incorruptible, and had a gift for seeing the best--or, at least, finding some good--even in the worst of people." Bill Clinton, who defeated Bush for the presidency, cited Bush's commitment to families and children. "In countless moments small and large, fleeting and historic," Clinton recalled, "there was an essential part of George's character that embraced our common humanity." Nancy Pelosi, who shared "a beautiful friendship" with Bush and his wife, Barbara, remembered their love and devotion to one another; and despite most Republicans' disdain for San Francisco, Bush offered unwavering support after a devastating earthquake in 1989. Even New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, whose work sometimes irritated Bush, attested that "he never lost sight of the fact that humanity was more important than ideology." Becker hopes that his example will shine at a time of political divisiveness and vulgar rhetoric. Bush, she writes, taught her "how to lead with integrity; how to give back; how to make a difference," and most of all, "How to be a better person." A timely portrait of dedication.

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