WI:Bush Wins House Seat In '78

In 1978 George W. Bush ran against an incumbent Democrat for a Texas house seat. He was defeated however, but came closer in that distrcit than any of previous Republican. However what would the effect have been had he won the house seat? How would his career have been effected? What general effect would this have on American politics?
 
With all those years in Congress he would have become alot more like his father; for good or for worse. I could see him running for the nomination in 1996 to challenge Clinton.

The other good Bush "what if" is Jeb winning the Florida governorship in 1994 over Chiles and Jeb running in 2000.
 
I think I put that in my Era of Limits TL. Bush ended up becoming President in the 90s, which isn't necessarily out of the question if he wins in '78.
 
Remember that this is a rowdier "Good Ol' Boy" Bush, still drinking and being generally irresponsible by his own admission years later. It's at least slightly possible that the scandal-hungry post-Watergate press would jump on any possible misdeeds, and that the resultant publicity would make a run for higher office difficult for him.
 
Remember that this is a rowdier "Good Ol' Boy" Bush, still drinking and being generally irresponsible by his own admission years later. It's at least slightly possible that the scandal-hungry post-Watergate press would jump on any possible misdeeds, and that the resultant publicity would make a run for higher office difficult for him.


Charlie Wilson didn't seem to have problem getting elected, and he never found a bottle he didn't like, a line he couldn't snort, or a girl he couldn't screw. I guess my point is that as long G.W. Bush brings home the bacon who cares?
 
Charlie Wilson didn't seem to have problem getting elected, and he never found a bottle he didn't like, a line he couldn't snort, or a girl he couldn't screw. I guess my point is that as long G.W. Bush brings home the bacon who cares?

Charlie Wilson didn't run for president.
 
GWB would probably run for the first open Senate seat available, and probably win it if Bentsen retires. Then he's on track for either 1996 or 2000, depending on when he's elected.
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
If Bush gets into Congress, I think his chances of becoming President are effectively nil. IOTL, his campaigns for both Governor of Texas and President of the United States were based on his executive take-charge style of leadership, which never sounds convincing coming from a legislator. My guess is that he would have spent his career as a reasonably popular member of Congress.
 
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