alternatehistory.com
Fireworks on Independence Day
June 28th, 1987
Approaching President Reagan’s desk in the Oval Office, Vice President Bush knew that he had to present the situation that so bothered him carefully so as to not further stir up and already toxic problem.
In his hands was the article that Howard Baker had presented to him two weeks back, the one that suggested there were leaks coming from the White House. Bush knew Reagan would be dismayed by the identity of the man responsible.
“Ron, I need you to read something,” Bush said, handing the President the article. Reagan slipped on his reading glasses and got down to business. Bush stood awkwardly across the desk, not sure if to sit or stand.
“Well, what can you say, George?” Quipped the President after finishing reading the last paragraph, “The guy got the story right, didn’t he? Not flattering, but correct?”
“That isn’t really, the point, sir.” Bush said, annoyance flashing through his patient facade, “The problem isn’t that this set of information got out. It’s how it did.” Reagan still didn’t see the seriousness of the situation.
“It wasn’t me George, I swear!” He joked, holding his hands in the air. Bush realized he was just going to have to come out and say it.
“Look, Ron, the person who leaked the information. I think it was Paul Laxalt.” Reagan’s face shifted immediately, from jovial to serious to hurt.
“George, I am offended that you would even suggest this. Paul is my closest ally, confidant, and best friend.” Now it was Bush’s turn to appear hurt.
“Closest ally? Confidant? Best friend? I do not mean to be petty, Ron, but am I none of those things to you?” Reagan wasn’t about to change course, however.
“Look, I think we both know that we formed the ticket in ‘80 as a marriage of convenience. And over the last eight years you have become a great friend to me. I have every intention of helping you winning the White House in November of next year. Now what can I do to help you out here?” Bush only shook his head, with the same pained expression on his face.
“No, don’t strain yourself, sir. Let’s just continue on as convenient acquaintances.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room.
The casual observer would have been compelled to believe that the Vice President was actually harmed by the President’s casual dismissal of him. The Vice President had forgotten one thing, however.
Before he was President, Reagan was an actor. And he knew a crocodile tear when he saw one.
After he knew Bush was out of earshot, Reagan chuckled, an angry, guttural chortle, and muttered to himself,
“George is trying to play me? Yeah, we’ll see how that ends.”
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July 1st, 1987
An excerpt from an article appearing in the Washington Post
Reagan Adds Fuel to Fire Amidst Rumors of White House Tension
Today’s biggest story out of Washington D.C. is the nomination of Appeals Court judge Robert Bork for the empty seat on the Supreme Court left by the retirement of Lewis Powell.
However, possibly the more impactful tidbit to come from the appointment is a comment made by President Reagan as he disembarked from the capitol steps.
A gaggle of reporters stood waiting for the President, asking the usual questions about the nomination. One token question, however, thrown out by a reporter in the gaggle asked about Senator and now-Presidential candidate Dan Quayle, who is expected to be the chief rival to Vice President Bush.
“Mr. President!” The reporter shouted, “What do you think of Quayle?”
Despite giving only a nod and a wave to the press as he descended the steps with his security detail in tow, President Reagan cocked his head as he heard this question.
“Quayle’s a swell fellow,” a group of reporters attested to the President saying as he ducked into a car that took him back to the White House.
This comment comes amidst rumors that a rift has been developing between the President and Vice President over the last few weeks.
It may have just been a slip of the tongue, but over the next few days it will be intriguing to see if anything else slips out through the less-than tight lips at the White House.
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July 4th, 1987
An excerpt of an article appearing in the New York Times
Where Will Each Candidate Spend Independence Day?
For those seeking the top office of this land, the campaign never ends - this is true about holidays as well. So, where will each of the candidates be making appearances this Independence Day?
For starters, Vice President Bush will be appearing in New York City along with President Reagan, as they did last year.
Also on the Republican side, Dan Quayle will be walking in various parades around the state of Iowa; Quayle continues to eye Iowa as a state where he can score an early victory in this primary cycle.
On the Democratic side, Gary Hart has flown back to Colorado to appear in his hometown of Aspen before spending the evening with his family. Jesse Jackson, meanwhile, will be marching in a parade in Charleston, South Carolina before also returning to his hometown, Greenville.
Lee Iacocca will be spending his Independence Day in Detroit, while Al Gore and Paul Simon will remain in Washington D.C. for the holiday.
The holiday is a welcome break from politics for the weary nation. Among other things, rumors of division in the White House and the verbal fireworks in the Democratic Party have many sick of the primary season already.
Hopefully the long weekend will supply ample time for the nation’s leaders to cool off amongst the July heat.
Approaching President Reagan’s desk in the Oval Office, Vice President Bush knew that he had to present the situation that so bothered him carefully so as to not further stir up and already toxic problem.
In his hands was the article that Howard Baker had presented to him two weeks back, the one that suggested there were leaks coming from the White House. Bush knew Reagan would be dismayed by the identity of the man responsible.
“Ron, I need you to read something,” Bush said, handing the President the article. Reagan slipped on his reading glasses and got down to business. Bush stood awkwardly across the desk, not sure if to sit or stand.
“Well, what can you say, George?” Quipped the President after finishing reading the last paragraph, “The guy got the story right, didn’t he? Not flattering, but correct?”
“That isn’t really, the point, sir.” Bush said, annoyance flashing through his patient facade, “The problem isn’t that this set of information got out. It’s how it did.” Reagan still didn’t see the seriousness of the situation.
“It wasn’t me George, I swear!” He joked, holding his hands in the air. Bush realized he was just going to have to come out and say it.
“Look, Ron, the person who leaked the information. I think it was Paul Laxalt.” Reagan’s face shifted immediately, from jovial to serious to hurt.
“George, I am offended that you would even suggest this. Paul is my closest ally, confidant, and best friend.” Now it was Bush’s turn to appear hurt.
“Closest ally? Confidant? Best friend? I do not mean to be petty, Ron, but am I none of those things to you?” Reagan wasn’t about to change course, however.
“Look, I think we both know that we formed the ticket in ‘80 as a marriage of convenience. And over the last eight years you have become a great friend to me. I have every intention of helping you winning the White House in November of next year. Now what can I do to help you out here?” Bush only shook his head, with the same pained expression on his face.
“No, don’t strain yourself, sir. Let’s just continue on as convenient acquaintances.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room.
The casual observer would have been compelled to believe that the Vice President was actually harmed by the President’s casual dismissal of him. The Vice President had forgotten one thing, however.
Before he was President, Reagan was an actor. And he knew a crocodile tear when he saw one.
After he knew Bush was out of earshot, Reagan chuckled, an angry, guttural chortle, and muttered to himself,
“George is trying to play me? Yeah, we’ll see how that ends.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 1st, 1987
An excerpt from an article appearing in the Washington Post
Reagan Adds Fuel to Fire Amidst Rumors of White House Tension
Today’s biggest story out of Washington D.C. is the nomination of Appeals Court judge Robert Bork for the empty seat on the Supreme Court left by the retirement of Lewis Powell.
However, possibly the more impactful tidbit to come from the appointment is a comment made by President Reagan as he disembarked from the capitol steps.
A gaggle of reporters stood waiting for the President, asking the usual questions about the nomination. One token question, however, thrown out by a reporter in the gaggle asked about Senator and now-Presidential candidate Dan Quayle, who is expected to be the chief rival to Vice President Bush.
“Mr. President!” The reporter shouted, “What do you think of Quayle?”
Despite giving only a nod and a wave to the press as he descended the steps with his security detail in tow, President Reagan cocked his head as he heard this question.
“Quayle’s a swell fellow,” a group of reporters attested to the President saying as he ducked into a car that took him back to the White House.
This comment comes amidst rumors that a rift has been developing between the President and Vice President over the last few weeks.
It may have just been a slip of the tongue, but over the next few days it will be intriguing to see if anything else slips out through the less-than tight lips at the White House.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 4th, 1987
An excerpt of an article appearing in the New York Times
Where Will Each Candidate Spend Independence Day?
For those seeking the top office of this land, the campaign never ends - this is true about holidays as well. So, where will each of the candidates be making appearances this Independence Day?
For starters, Vice President Bush will be appearing in New York City along with President Reagan, as they did last year.
Also on the Republican side, Dan Quayle will be walking in various parades around the state of Iowa; Quayle continues to eye Iowa as a state where he can score an early victory in this primary cycle.
On the Democratic side, Gary Hart has flown back to Colorado to appear in his hometown of Aspen before spending the evening with his family. Jesse Jackson, meanwhile, will be marching in a parade in Charleston, South Carolina before also returning to his hometown, Greenville.
Lee Iacocca will be spending his Independence Day in Detroit, while Al Gore and Paul Simon will remain in Washington D.C. for the holiday.
The holiday is a welcome break from politics for the weary nation. Among other things, rumors of division in the White House and the verbal fireworks in the Democratic Party have many sick of the primary season already.
Hopefully the long weekend will supply ample time for the nation’s leaders to cool off amongst the July heat.
- Meyer London
- Word Count: 980