Burning Bushes — A Reader's Guide to Kelley's "The Family"

[NYCGirl]

Slate.com reads Kitty Kelley's book, so you don't have to. Highlights (or lowlights) described with page numbers. Example:

Page 375-76: James Baker refuses to run Bush's 1980 presidential campaign if Fitzgerald is around; Bush concedes but pays her a salary. After becoming vice president, Bush gets into a traffic accident while riding with his "girlfriend"; he calls Secretary of State Alexander Haig to help him shoo away the Washington, D.C., police. Fitzgerald isn't Bush's only dalliance: A divorcee from North Dakota moves to Washington to be with the veep. Kelley says Nancy Reagan, who reviles the Bushes, delights in the gossip

Page 72-73: Barbara Bush's nickname explained: During World War II gasoline rationing, the Bushes navigate Kennebunkport, Maine, in a horse-drawn carriage. Prescott Bush Jr. notices that the family's horse, Barsil, looks a bit like George's then-girlfriend. He gives them both the nickname "Bar.

Page 491-92: Barbara Bush is upset that her daughter Doro, a divorcee, is getting nowhere with Rep. David Deier after a year of dating. "Never laid a hand on her," Bar says.

Page 598: George W. to McCain during the nasty 2000 South Carolina primary: "John, we've got to start running a better campaign." McCain: "Don't give me that shit. And take your hands off me."

More here: http://www.slate.com/id/2106773/

[blm]

1. I really think it makes McCain's skin crawl when Bush holds him in

front of rallies where he has no choice. I believe Bush does it because he knows this and it is his way of screwing over McCain and fucking with his head, yet again.

Whatever they have on McCain must be something serious for this man to put up with this buddy charade.

[calimary]

3. THAT is an excellent point, blm.

He's been utterly cuckolded by these people. And yet he keeps coming back (for more) like a good little doggie. It DOES make you wonder, doesn't it. If a guy went through what he went through in the "Hanoi Hilton," you'd think he'd have balls of steel. And he caves like a three-year-old to them. Sorry. SOMETHING smells - awfully bad here.

[blm]

7. It may be family he's protecting.

Something about his wife or son or it may go back to his father. Who knows?

We DO know that is how Bushes have operated for decades.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

6. That's the ONE detail I hope is revealed some day...Why, McCain, WHY?

[Fleshdancer]

8. that's a creepy pic....that's how W steers his wife around

does he grap everyone by the neck? Or is it just McCain and Pickles?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

10. So far I've just seen it on the two of them...makes you think, eh?

:shrug:

[tanyev]

2. David Dreier never laid a hand on her?

ROFL!

[thebigidea]

5. I guess he just didn't want to muss his goofy freakin' pompadour.

Either that or the whole closeted thing... man, I'd love for someone to ask about this just to see his facial expression. That mediaslut seems to be on tv constantly, surely ONE person could bring it up.

[peekaloo]

4. LOL......Nazi's do have a devilish sense of humor....."Bar".

But was he looking at the horse from behind?

[jburton]

11. My jaw actually dropped when I read this!

I got the book yesterday, and couldn't believe that part. I mean, it's just such a crazy insult, and to this day it's still her nickname. LOL!!!

----

Page 72-73: Barbara Bush's nickname explained: During World War II gasoline rationing, the Bushes navigate Kennebunkport, Maine, in a horse-drawn carriage. Prescott Bush Jr. notices that the family's horse, Barsil, looks a bit like George's then-girlfriend. He gives them both the nickname "Bar.

----

[nostamj]

9. I'm 120pp into the book...

it is NOT just a lot of gossip. in fact, the opening chapters are a pretty dry review of the various businesses and education of Prescott and, now, Poppy.

one thing I didn't know. "Poppy" was GHWB's family nickname from INFANCY. he was 'little Pop' or 'Poppy' and he used it in school but dropped it during his military service...

[ElementaryPenguin]

12. Exactly how I pictured him! What a slimey frickin' twerp!

:puke:
:puke:
:puke: