 |
A family moment Proud Papa, Unconventional BehaviorBy Rick Horowitz
PHILADELPHIA, SOONER THAN YOU THINK -- Everyone knew this was going to be George Bush's convention. They just didn't realize which George Bush. As the Texas governor moved closer tonight to becoming his party's official standard-bearer, a former president with the same first and last names stole the show with a display of fatherly pride -- or was it a desperate grab for one last moment in the spotlight? Whichever it was, delegates to the Republican convention's opening session were treated to the sight of George H.W. Bush, 41st president of the United States, offering a running commentary on the talents, prospects and even charms of his son George W. Bush, who hopes to be the 43rd. Leaning out of a family skybox high above the floor of the First Union Center, the 76-year-old patriarch of America's hottest political clan scribbled a series of felt-tip messages on a large white display board, which he then held aloft for the edification (and occasional mystification) of the delegates, Republican VIPs and countless network cameras. "It's George's party, and no one was invited!" one early message announced. Said another, "Smart enough for this kind of work." And a third exclaimed, as a smiling portrait of the soon-to-be nominee was flashed on giant screens behind the podium, "That's my boy!" -- with a thin diagonal line running through the word "boy," and the word "man" written in just above it. (Apparently the former president was acknowledging, in his fashion, the criticism he received during the primary season for referring to George W. as "this boy." The comments were seen at the time as less than helpful to the younger Bush's efforts to be taken seriously as a presidential contender.) Meanwhile, the elder Bush, who has been known to celebrate birthdays by jumping out of airplanes, even managed to clamber atop his skybox and perform a seemingly impromptu mid-evening soft-shoe routine, before security personnel gently escorted him down from his perilous perch. "He's ecstatic about the way things have turned out for George W.," a Bush family spokesman explained. "So naturally he's feeling a bit exuberant. Of course, we'd rather he didn't fall off the skybox and crush somebody." The exuberance extended to Barbara Bush as well, though the former First Lady attempted neither dancing nor climbing to celebrate her son's swift ascension through the political ranks. She did, however, have a display board all her own, and her comments throughout the evening were characteristically tart. "Clinton: Al's Pal," said one, while another declared, "Gore: Can't Say It, But It Rhymes With 'Sony.'" "Mrs. Bush is who she is," said the family spokesman. "And that's exactly why the American people are so crazy about her." Meanwhile, all this spontaneous excitement up above threatened to distract from the more formal proceedings down below, but party officials professed to be unconcerned. "It's just another way of showing what a family-oriented party we are," said one convention organizer, who asked to remain anonymous. "You think that this Williams guy is the only parent who's allowed to be proud of his kids?" The official was referring to Richard Williams, father of tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, who had such great success at the recent Wimbledon tournament. Their father's unusually high profile during the competition -- including his own use of a message board -- raised some hackles among tennis traditionalists. But it seems clear that the former president must have had his TV on, and must have liked what he saw. All of which prompted the big question on everyone's mind tonight: What are the chances of a sudden shuffle, an "August surprise," with George W. and younger brother (and Florida governor) Jeb playing doubles? On a Republican ticket, that is. Stay tuned. Posted 7/11/00. Tell
your friends about "Rick's." They'll be glad to get the message -- and
proud to say they know you!
|
  |
Rick Horowitz