1. I understand the impulse to eulogize George H. W. Bush, who possessed some virtues that are keenly missed at this particularly moment, but it behoves us to get real.
2. To see Bush Sr. as the anti-Trump is, crucially, to tell only half the story. It's true that Bush's institutionalism, internationalism, belief in alliances, competence, politeness and general sanity all set him apart from Trump.
3. On several crucial fronts Bush Sr. wasn't the alternative to Trump but one of the important precursors to him: race-baiting (Willie Horton), the willingness to sacrifice LGTBQ people to appease the religious right, the use of pardons to cover-up abuse.
4. As with McCain, it's important to see Bush Sr. in round: as possessing genuine virtues but also embodying some of the toxic politics that have brought us where we are. Both parts of the story are important.
5. My broader argument about Bush Sr.'s place in history: newrepublic.com/article/152493…
