Much focus has been placed on George H.W. Bush’s presidency. I’m going to shed a little light on a dramatic day as veep. It revealed his poise, a trait he would exhibit throughout his life.
Wrote book about that day rawhidedown.com & for @latimes: latimes.com/la-na-pol-bush…
Wrote book about that day rawhidedown.com & for @latimes: latimes.com/la-na-pol-bush…
It was March 30, 1981, and Bush was politicking for Reagan in Texas. He unveiled a plaque at the Hotel Texas in Ft. Worth (where Kennedy stayed his last night alive). He then gave a speech to cattle raisers. 
It was then onto Austin to deliver a speech to the Texas legislature. He took a seat on Air Force 2. Outside, it was bright and green fields stretched into the distance, so different than the traumatic events taking place in Washington.
Just a few minutes earlier, President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John W. Hinckley Jr. Reagan was far more grievously injured than portrayed at time. A bullet lodged in his chest, just an inch from his heart. more: rawhidedown.com
As Bush’s plane took off for Austin, there was a knock on the door. A Secret Service agent burst in. There had a been a shooting but potus not hurt, he said. Not for the first time that day, information relayed to officials was incorrect. latimes.com/la-na-pol-bush…
Al Haig, sec of state, called Bush. Comms were atrocious. Scratchy & In-and-out. AF2 didn’t have secure voice comms. I found U of Alabama grad students who listened in via ham radio sets! Haig hung up and told Bush he would sent a secure teletype (link). rawhidedown.com/wordpress/wp-c…
Took a bit for the enormity of the situation to hit Bush. He jotted notes on the AF2 flight card. He prayed. At one time, Bush and Reagan were political foes. Now, Bush considered him a dear friend. He could not believe someone would try to harm him. latimes.com/la-na-pol-bush…
Chase Untermeyer, an aide, interviewed Bush on the plane to get his thoughts for posterity. Bush said he was calm, collected, ready for what might be thrown at him. He didn’t want to overreact. He was worried about Soviet intervention in Poland.
He also resisted calls for him to helicopter from Andrews to the South Lawn of the White House. He thought it would send the signal things were more dire than they were and that only the president lands on the south lawn. He worried about how it might disturb Nancy Reagan.
Untermeyer and others on the plane told me they were impressed by Bush’s coolness. So much was unknown. Many early press reports were incorrect. latimes.com/la-na-pol-bush…
They finally arrived at the White House. Bush took charge at the situation room. He was briefed on Reagan’s condition and global affairs. He urged everyone to be calm and deliberate.
He then met with his top advisors to prepare to give a speech to the nation . (This day was one of the most stressful days in their lives. Just look at their faces -- Weinberger, Baker, Meese). Speech was modest, short and reassuring.
Bush struck the perfect tone all day. He didn’t try to usurp power. He didn’t land on the south lawn. He did what was required in an understated way. It wasn’t about him -- it was about Reagan and the country. Here he is heading back to Naval Observatory.
You can learn more about March 30, 1981, here: rawhidedown.com. My story on this day from Bush's experience: latimes.com/la-na-pol-bush…
