With former First Lady Barbara Bush’s passing, the nation mourns a wonderful, remarkable First Lady whose signature issue was a lifelong campaign for literacy. Those who knew her are rapidly posting excellent and well-deserved tributes to her and her exemplary life (click here and here, for example).
No tribute to Mrs. Bush would be complete without a reference to her sense of humor. She was a funny person but not in a comedic way. Rather, her humor was purposeful and sharp – often very sharp.
I was a speechwriter for then-Vice President George H.W. Bush from June 1986 to January 1989. The Bushes were exceptionally kind about inviting staff to their home for softball, drinks and jokes. Mrs. Bush would always come out for those events and more than a few times, when she made an especially barbed or bluff bit of humor, those of us in the conversation would discreetly shoot each other a look that silently asked, “Did she really say THAT?!”
My favorite Barbara Bush story took place in early December 1987. That month, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev came to DC for a summit with President Reagan and Vice President Bush. Shortly after he left, the Bushes invited staff members, including me, to their home for drinks and jokes. (See photo)
Midway through, Mrs. Bush turned to the Vice President and said, “Tell them what Raisa [Gorbachev, wife of the Soviet Premier] said to you at the concert.” “No,” replied Mr. Bush, waving her off. “Oh go on!” she prodded and once more, he said no, shaking his head.
At that point, she told us what happened: Gorbachev had hosted a dinner at the Soviet Embassy for the Reagans, Bushes, and other U.S. officials. The post-dinner entertainment was a Russian opera singer with Vice President Bush seated next to Raisa Gorbachev. As the singer reached for the high notes with visible passion, Mr. Bush said through the interpreter, “I think I’m falling in love.”
“Be careful,” Mrs. Gorbachev replied, “Remember what happened to Gary Hart.”
I don’t recall the look on Vice President Bush’s face when “Bar” told this but something tells me that he probably wasn’t entirely pleased. Then again, it was so typical of Mrs. Bush to dispense with formalities and share something she thought was funny.
Mrs. Bush, we will miss you. R.I.P.
Peter Arnold Senior Advisor
A member of the Dawson team since 2007, Peter was a speechwriter for then-Vice President George H.W. Bush from 1986-1989.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dawson & Associates.