fine, all right. >> ambassador george bush. >> george bush at the 1972 gop national compassion, with -year-old george w. and nixon aide don rumsfeld. followed by the death of prescott bush. he died october 8th, 1972, never knowing the heights his son and grandson would reach. in the political world, a re-elected president nixon had another new job for george bush. >> mr. nixon named george bush to be the new chairman of the republican national committee. he'll replace senator robert dole of kansas. >> i think it's important work and i look forward to getting involved in it. >> it was a job that bush did not seek and did not want. nevertheless, he shared his father's sense of duty. >> when the president wants you to do something, under my kind of system of civics, you ought to do it. >> bush's loyalty to nixon was soon tested by the biggest scandal in american political history. >> watergate, republican national chairman george bush said that president nixon understands the watergate problem fully and will clear it up totally. he did not elaborate. >> i'm concerned about it, deeply. ma

bush. with dick cheney in the george w. sh administration, you also got donald rumsfeld, his old ally and somebody who was not necessarily an ally of george w. bush. >> absolutely. the past was not prologue when it came to that. rumsfeld and george h.w. bush were young rivals in the washington of nixon and ford. it's sort of a shakespearean rivalry. george w. bush was always very determined throughout his son's both governorship and presidency, he took pains to point out these were different eras, they were different men. it's impossible to understand george w. bush without understanding texas politics. it's impossible to understand george h.w. bush without understanding how much the political center of the country moved from new england to the sunbelt in the 20th century. the family story writ large is in many ways the story of american politics prior to 2016. my sense of -- i spend a lot of time talking to him about it through the years. president bush really did look on his son's presidency in the way that dad would as op

the 41st president of the united states george h.w. bushied passing away at his home in houston friday night surrounded by family. his death comes less than eight months after his wife of 73 years, barbara, died. his son former president george w. bush issued a statement calling his father a man of the highest character. president trump praised the elder bush for sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership. more coverage of the passing of george h.w. bush coming up. >>> for more than 40 years now, part of every president's job description has been to put up with being laughed at on "saturday night live." george bush was no exception. but he did more than just tolerate dana carvey making fun of him. he showed he was able to have fun at his own expense. >> dana, george bush here. i'm watching you do your impression of me and i've got to say it's nothing like me. bears no resemblance. it's bad. it's bad. >> well, i'm sorry, mr. president. i think it's a fair impression. >> don't see it. >> you don't? >> it's totally exaggerated. it

fine, all right. >> ambassador george bush. >> george bush at the 1972 gop national compassion, with r-old george w. and nixon aide don rumsfeld. followed by the death of prescott bush. he died october 8th, 1972, never knowing the heights his son and grandson would reach. in the political world, a re-elected president nixon had another new job for george bush. >> mr. nixon named george bush to be the new chairman of the republican national committee. he'll replace senator robert dole of kansas. >> i think it's important work and i look forward to getting involved in it. >> it was a job that bush did not seek and did not want. nevertheless, he shared his father's sense of duty. >> when the president wants you to do something, under my kind of system of civics, you ought to do it. >> bush's loyalty to nixon was soon tested by the biggest scandal in american political history. >> watergate, republican national chairman george bush said that president nixon understands the watergate problem fully and will clear it up totally. he did not elaborate. >> i'm concerned about it, deeply. mainly

the 41st president of the united states george h.w. bushied passing away at his hole in houston friday night surrounded by family. his death comes less than eight months after his wife of 73 years, barbara, died. his son former president george w. bush issued a statement calling his father a man of the highest character. president trump praised the elder bush for common sebs and unflappable leadership. more coverage of george hw bush coming up. h was so taken by dana car have i's act he even invited him to the white house to cheer everyone up after bush lost the election in 1992. >> start out with mr. rogers it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. then you add a lil jon wayne. here we go. let's go over to the ranch. you put them together you got george herbert walker bush. >> yes. >> don't dare move my hands what i want to do. no, but i am very grateful to dana and to paula for being here. and dana has given me a lot of lavors. he said to me on the phone, are you sure you really want me to come there? and i said yeah. and he said i hope i

george bush was so stoic. he developed his own teary-eyed reputation as the founding member of what the bush family calls the ball brigade -- that would bawl. he was considered, people thetic, and kind. and the bushes passed on these values to their children. they nurtured a family of leaders whose contributions have enriched this country even more. few men so powerful would have even thought to call for a kinder, gentler nation. even fewer could have lived it themselves. his words literally lifted our spirits. his example inspired us. a quarter century after george bush left the oval office, his legacy continues to directly inspire not just a thousand points of light but millions of volunteers who serve others. so, madam president, in war and peace, in public and in private, in high office and in family moments, george bush stayed the course. the greatest generation indeed. the grand heroism that saved our nation. the quiet diligence that built it up, and the basic goodness that sustains it, all in one. today

united states. —— george bush senior. n 1989 and 1993. he has now passed away. that is breaking news if you havejust joined us here on bbc world news, the former president of the united states, george herbert walker bush, has died. he was 94 and the 41st president of the us. he also helped guide the world out of a four decade cold war. we are seeing pictures here of george h w bush, who has passed away. his wife barbara bush passed away. his wife barbara bush passed away earlier this year, i believe. he has had several bouts of illness. he has had several bouts of illness. he was in and out of hospital at different times, and he has left quite a legacy. he was responsible for golf or one, the first iraq war, and his family have actually released a statement, this is by his son george w bush. they released a statement saying they are saddened to announce after 94 remarkable yea rs, to announce after 94 remarkable years, ourdear to announce after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died. george hw bush was a man of the hig

herbert walker bush and george w. bush, although he was very different in many ways from his father but the jim baker and bush republican party, that's not the party of donald trump, clearly. and so it remains to be seen what happens. look at the fate of many moderate republicans in house races. you know this better than anyone steve kornacki but this is the moment to not think about the political side. i think this is the moment to think about the grace, the kindness, the generosity, the public bush family and the loss of many that loved him dearly and admired him or respected him and his service are feeling now. >> a andrea, as well, he, i remember when he lost in 1992, became an ex president and refrained for all those years from criticizing his successor bill clinton who defeated him in the 1992 presidential campaign and in fact, george h.w. bush and bill clinton in later years formed a friendship there, sort of what seemed if you watched the 1992 campaign to be unlikely but one certainly seemed to blossom from tha

the pub luck servant, the statesman, the family man, this morning president george h.w. bush remembered. >> prudence, humility and a lifetime devoted to public service, the country is mourning george h.w. bush. he passed away last night at age 94. his values and ideals now being honored across the political spectrum. the 41st president helped end four decades of cold war. his popularity soured after a coalition victory in iraq and a weak economy but he entered the white house with one of the most impressive resumes of any u.s. president. lester holt has more on the life, career and legacy of president george h.w. bush. >> i come before you and assume the presidency at a moment rich with promise. >> reporter: for george bush, becoming president was the capstone of a lifetime of public service that would also include being the father of a president. in fact, the bush family has been among the most prominent in american political history. but while george h.w. bush grew up in wealth and privilege and went to the best schools, he also learned the importance of serving his country

bush. with dick cheney in the george w. bush administration, you also got donald rumsfeld, his old ally and somebody who was not necessarily an ally of george w. bush. >> absolutely. the past was not prologue when it came to that. rumsfeld and george h.w. bush were young rivals in the washington of nixon and ford. it's sort of a shakespearean rivalry. george w. bush was always very determined throughout his son's both governorship and presidency, he took pains to point out these were different eras, they were different men. it's impossible to understand george w. bush without understanding texas politics. it's impossible to understand george h.w. bush without understanding how much the political center of the country moved from new england to the sunbelt in the 20th century. the family story writ large is in many ways the story of american politics prior to 2016. my sense of -- i spend a lot of time talking to him about it through the years. president bush really did look on his son's presidency in the way that dad would as

george bush was so stoic. he developed his own teary-eyed reputation as the founding member of what the bush family calls the ball brigade -- that would bawl. he was considered, people thetic, and kind. and the bushes passed on these values to their children. they nurtured a family of leaders whose contributions have enriched this country even more. few men so powerful would have even thought to call for a kinder, gentler nation. even fewer could have lived it themselves. his words literally lifted our spirits. his example inspired us. a quarter century after george bush left the oval office, his legacy continues to directly inspire not just a thousand points of light but millions of volunteers who serve others. so, madam president, in war and peace, in public and in private, in high office and in family moments, george bush stayed the course. the greatest generation indeed. the grand heroism that saved our nation. the quiet diligence that built it up, and the basic goodness that sustains it, all in one. today

so if george h.w. bush felt that his memorial service could end that and turn things in the right direction, i can very much see him approving of that. >> let me ask you about your approach to george h.w. bush. he's been described in a number of obituaries that i've read as someone who didn't have many vociferous enemies in washington, d.c. what was his approach to dealing with folks in the other party? >> andy karr said it earlier this morning. he was somebody that understood government in a way many others have not. his father was a united states senator, as well, prescott bush. and he was great at building relationships and building coalitions and he loved talking to the other side. that's the beauty of it. we're in an environment now, of course, where republicans and democrats don't have much dialogue, but president george h.w. bush was a master of dialogue with everybody, with republicans as well as democrats. and i think that was one of his strong suits is his ability to that. as a result, he was able

george h.w. bush or his son, former president george w. bush, that was a father, a son, paying tribute to his father as he was brought up the capitol steps. the bushes are known -- they'll be the first to tell you that they are emotional. that they cry easily. i know that he was steeling himself. you could certainly see on his face the emotion as he, you know, struggled to keep it together. >> tom friedman of the "new york times" is with us. like me and john and jamie, you spent a lot of time covering the president of the united states in various capacities. as you look back and watch what's going on right now in the rotunda, what goes through your mind? >> well, the biggest thing that goes through my mind now, wolf, is looking at the friends and colleagues that are there lined up. what a high-quality team he had around him. i covered secretary of state james baker, traveled virtually all 750,000 miles with him during those four years, including several trips with the president. and when you think abo

bush. with dick cheney in the george w. bush administration, you also got donald rumsfeld, his old ally and somebody who was not necessarily an ally of george w. bush. >> bhuabsolutely. the past was not prologue when it came to that. rumsfeld and george h.w. bush were young rivals in the washington of nixon and ford. it's sort of a shakespearean rivalry. george w. bush was always very determined throughout his son's both governorship and presidency, he took pains to point out these were different eras, they were different men. it's impossible to understand george w. bush without understanding texas politics. it's impossible to understand george h.w. bush without understanding how much the political center of the country moved from new england to the sunbelt in the 20th century. the family story writ large is in many ways the story of american politics prior to 2016. my sense of -- i spend a lot of time talking to him about it through the years. president bush really did look on his son's presidency in the way that dad would

george h.w. bush was a criminal. going to be joined by presidential historian douglas brinkley on the phone right now to talk about george h.w. bush. good morning. guest: good morning. host: how will president george h.w. bush be remembered? how should he be remembered? guest: he will be remembered as a man of great dignity and character, somebody who represented the best of the great world war ii generation, and as president, we are always going to remember what an amazing job he did in u.s. foreign policy. he got sworn in, in 1989, and that his inaugural we call it the new breeze inaugural. philosophy --f one did not believe a democracy was going to spread that quickly as inferred in his speech, but sure enough, by 1989, a series of events happened, mainly the berlin wall coming down. that had been the symbol of soviet to tell a tear in his him and divide -- totalitarianism, and dividing. young people in blue jeans listening to rock 'n roll music, nobody responded, nothing happened. bush suddenly got to be the presi

and george w. bushush: that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states. >> o'donnell: how proud of you was he when you became president? >> george w. bush: oh, man. he was-- ( laughs ) you know, my favorite story about all that is i just had got sworn in and andy card said, "why don't you go down to the oval and see what it feels like as president?" and i said, "okay." so i went down, sitting down there and just kind of taking it all in, and in walks dad. so andy had told dad that i was down there. and he walks down and i said, "mr. president, welcome." he said, "thank you, mr. president." and that's pretty much all that was said for a while. and it was a very profound moment for me. >> o'donnell: what did he say to you when you were president? what kind of-- >> george w. bush: i love you. and, you know, as corny as that sounds to some-- it is the most important words you can hear in life. you don't hear a lot of people say, "i love you," when you're president. ( laughs ) >>

we sorry visibly emotional george bush remembering him. george bush jr, his remembering him. we sorry visibly emotional george busth, his son, who followed him into the white house some years earlier —— we saw abe visibly emotional. manuas of the public began arriving to pay their respects. —— members of the public. it is likely many will do so over the coming days as george bush senior lies in state, a chance for people to share their memories, to be there, to show their feelings as a very significant time for the nation. and the culmination will be the funeral a state funeral service at the national cathedral in washington. and they're the cough and draped in the stars and stripes —— and eddie cotton —— and there the coffin. service people standing guard. we are expecting president trump and melania to enter the rotunda at any moment now. george bush senior passed away, according to those close to him, in a very gentle and peaceful way at his home in houston in texas and then a special flight, in houston in texas and then a specialflight

so was president george w. bushr the media that didn't enjoy him for the props and the fact that people said he was fun to be around. that is what they said about george h.w. bush, too. >> yeah, they both -- if you interviewed them as i did with both of them and they would tease you and it was kind of fun. and did they push back? yes. i have a button at home that says vote bush, annoy the media. but there is a big difference between that and calling us the enemy of the people which is something you would never have done. he knew that had his roots in stalinism and mauism and hitler-ism. >> and the things that he put on a uniform to fight. >> right. and that is what he was fighting. we knew when i was taking real shots at him in my column, we knew there was this core decency and sense of service and true patriotism. >> very good. thank you to both of you. more of the continuing coverage of the passing of george h.w. bush after the break. >> and nada nada, never said it, in all of my years of government service i neve

experience, george bush's background, george bush's nature, george bush's instinct, and georgeo bring things together, to enable something to happen were crucial to helping bring that about. he truthfully might have said of that event that all his life had been a preparation for that moment. >> what i like to remind people is that there is no precedent in history for the collapse of a great empire without a major war. and the period 1989 to 1991 was one of the most momentous, historically, i think, since world war ii. and some day george bush will get the credit he deserves for having managed that. >> bush developed a very close relationship with gorbachev. >> he always made gorbachev feel the equal. >> and in the end gorbachev was essentially removed from office when the country was dissolved. the first phone call he made was to george bush. >> i said to president bush, i said what was this conversation? this is extraordinary that in the last waning moments of the soviet union, gorbachev called you. and typical of george bush, he hadn't thought much of it. he's such a humble m

that made george bush so happy. his eyes shown. he smiled. and he knew that those messages of encouragement to him were heartfelt, and they were. finally, it's impossible to talk about george h.w. bush without talking about barbara pierce bush. they were a partnership. and what an example. for all of us. 73 years together. a true people. they put family first always. that has been a great lesson to my wife jane and me and our family to watch how they navigated this crazy political world we're in, and yet kept their family strong and together, and to this day, you saw the family yesterday, every one of those children and grandchildren and now great grandchildren coming, loves and respects their grandparents, great grandparents. that unconditional support and love that george and barbara bush had for one another in a very equal relationship. barbara bush was feisty and opinionated, and george bush respected that and respected and loved her. but those relationships between family is what gave him so much strength, in my view, as much as anything.

one last note, george w. bushas giving a speech, george, back when bill clinton was having heart surgery and he made a joke, he said bill clinton just woke from heart surgery surrounded by those who love him, hillary, chelsea and my dad. >> neil bush called him the brother from another mother. and of course president trump will also be there today. he's had a great hand in this ceremony as well. jon karl also at the national cathedral. >> reporter: president trump made air force one available to transport george h.w. bush's casket here to washington. after this ceremony he will board that plane that is air force one to go back to texa this is a truce, a truce in what is a very tense relationship between donald trump and the entire bush family. i mean, you really can't overstate it, george. george herbert walker bush in his last political act actually voted for a democrat, voted for hillary clinton, he was so upset by the way donald trump had treated his son, jeb bush, during that campaign. but there was certainly

. >> "nightline" celebrating george h.w. bush will be right back. ♪ ♪ connecting people... ...uniting the world. ♪♪ >>> this special edition of "nightline," celebrating george h.w. bush, continues. >> good evening. in washington, a day of ceremony, tears, laughter, and remembrance. with family, friends, and american leaders gathering to celebrate the life of president george h.w. bush. telling stories of his bravery and loyalty, his love of country and family, capped off by a tearful tribute from his eldest son, now the family's elder statesman. >> when the history books are written, they will say that george h.w. bush was a great president of the united states. a diplomat of unmatched skill. a commander in chief of formidable accomplishment. a gentleman who executed the duties of his office with dignity and honor. >> reporter: dignity and honor. a lasting legacy for the nation's 41st president. george herbert walker bush back in texas tonight for a final farewell. this morning, hundreds gathered in washington, d.c. for a state f

experience, george bush's background, george bush's nature, george bush's instinct, and georgeing things together, to enable something to happen were crucial to helping bring that about. he truthfully might have said of that event that all his life had been a preparation for that moment. >> what i like to remind people is that there is no precedent in history for the collapse of a great empire without a major war. and the period 1989 to 1991 was one of the most momentous, historically, i think, since world war ii. and some day george bush will get the credit he deserves for having managed that. >> bush developed a very close relationship with gorbachev. >> he always made gorbachev feel the equal. >> and in the end gorbachev was essentially removed from office when the country was dissolved. the first phone call he made was to george bush. >> i said to president bush, i said what was this conversation? this is extraordinary that in the last waning moments of the soviet union, gorbachev called you. and typical of george bush, he hadn't thought much of it. he's such a humble man t

the two-hour documentary that tells the story of george w. bush in the words of 41 of his colleagues, friends and family. >>> george's mother was a gentle, wonderful soul, and both his mother and father taught him by example. she gave george this bible, and i think that poem does reflect george bush's life. "i would be true for there are those who trust me." >> i would be true. >> for there are those who trust me. >> >> i would be pure, for there are those who care. >> those who care. >> our challenges are great. but our will is greater. >> i would be strong for there is much to suffer. >> i would be strong for there is much to suffer. >> i would be dare for there is much to dare. >> i fought more my country. >> i served. >> for there is much to dare. >> i would be friend to all, the foe, the friendless. >> i would be friend to all, the foe, the friendless. >> i would be giving and forget the gift. >> i am running for president because i honestly deeply believe i can change things. >> i would be humble, for i know my weakness. >> a thousand points

bush tiene nietos america... ahÍ vem llegada del expresidente george w bush con su esposa laura, y jeb bush junto con columba bush♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (habla en inglÉs). >> para su sepelio, oremos con confianza en dios, dador de vida que lo levantarÁ en la compaÑÍa de los santos. eleva a tu servidor george seÑor jesucristo y lÍbralo del mal y liber liberalo de toda atadura para que pueda descansar en el hogar eterno junto al padre y el espÍritu santo, donde vive y reina un dios ahora y siempre. amÉn. oremos por todos los que lloran, para que conozcan el consuelo de su amor. seÑor todopoderoso, mira a tu servidor por quien oramos, recuÉrdalo seÑor, alientalos dales consuelo y sentido de bondad, dales tu consuelo y brÍndales la paz por jesucristo nuestro seÑor. amÉn. >> (cÁntico). >> (cÁntico). >> (cÁntico). >> (cÁntico). >> (cÁntico). >> (cÁntico). >> (cÁntico). >> (cÁntico) la familia bush ha sido traÍda hacia la parte principal, reservado para ellos, justo atrÁs del presidente hay una silla vacÍa para recibir a la familia del george h.

-- i wonderfor legacy is of george h w bush? -- i wonder for you. legacy is of george h w bush? ush? -- i wonderfor you. well, i think george hw wonderfor you. well, i think george h w bush leaves the real legacy of civility in american politics. he clearly had mainstream conservative convictions but he was someone who was respected and admired across party lines. he forged a post— presidency relationship with clinton family, he was well thought of by the 0bama family, and so he really did happen back to an era where american politics was a bit more bypartisan, a bit more characterised bypartisan, a bit more characterised by class and decorum, and i think it is something that people will look at with fondness and see him as a real exemplar of that tradition. whoever is in the us presidency often defines the moon, perhaps you would say internationally. and he was president, what kind of tone and it is set for the rest of the world? —— when he was. it is set for the rest of the world? -- when he was. well, i think he set a profoundly optimistic tone. when you think about the year i

bush, barbara said that for bill clinton, george herbert walker bush was the father he never really had its own lane. it's ugly and tough. and george herbert walker bush was involved in tough campaigns. yet the relationship dwru sred of having been presidents. so this is a particular -- of all the presidents there, bill clinton had a particular relationship with george herbert walker bush. >> i don't believe we have seen yet there -- there is president trump and first lady melania trump entering at 10:48. the ceremony about to begin in about 10 minutes from now. >> they are the last to arrive before the family. and the 41st president. jon meacham who will eulogize the president tonight -- today, i should say, asked president bush how he wanted to be remembered. and meacham said he didn't pause. and he avoided as ever the first person pronoun which his mother used to call the great i am and applied that we put the country first. president trump shaking the hands of the obamas, the clintons did not acknowledge president trump. did not even look over. >> um-hum. >> that is a very interesti

george h.w. bush -- he appreciated these moments. think personally he might be uncomfortable with this, but chuck, the warmth and grace of the tributes to george herbert walker bush over the last almost 72 hours, now, suddenly, this moment seems to be a moment of exquisite pain, especially for that family sitting there. they're the only ones in chairs, the rest of the audience is stand, and especially for president george w. bush, who is now facing the reality, sitting there, looking at his father's casket, and it is -- he -- in that face you and i have known so well, a moment of real stress -- it's all really becoming real to him. >> it is. it's a who's who of the republican party. michael steele also here with us, as well. michael, i assume this was -- you were a young man when he was the head of the republican party. >> yeah -- >> you're still a young man. >> i appreciate that. no, really, i mean, the fact that this weekend, there was a lot of talk about all the very big federal things that he did, as vice president, president, ci

george h.w. bush was a criminal. going to be joined by presidential historian douglas brinkley on the phone right now to talk about george h.w. bush. good morning. guest: good morning. host: how will president george h.w. bush be remembered? how should he be remembered? guest: he will be remembered as a man of great dignity and character, somebody who represented the best of the great world war ii generation, and as president, we are always going to remember what an amazing job he did in u.s. foreign policy. he got sworn in, in 1989, and that his inaugural we call it the new breeze inaugural. philosophy --f one did not believe a democracy was going to spread that quickly as inferred in his speech, but sure enough, by 1989, a series of events happened, mainly the berlin wall coming down. that had been the symbol of soviet to tell a tear in his him and divide -- totalitarianism, and dividing. young people in blue jeans listening to rock 'n roll music, nobody responded, nothing happened. bush suddenly got to be the presi

they will receive the casket of george h.w. bush. george h.w. bush had 12 years of secret service agents and continuing on to he went out of office as vice president. so many of them here. but we're also told there is going to be of course "hail to the chief" one final time but the song "going home," a favorite of president bush's and the lyrics are quite poignant. this indeed will be the final trip home of hundreds, if not thousands of trips aboard air force i, aboard air force ii that he has taken in his long life of service. one nmore ceremony on the groun here before he is sent off. >> we're told the motorcade has now arrived at joint base andrews and this formal departure ceremony is about to begin. there will be full honors rendered. as you point out "ruffles and flourishes, " "hail to the chief." you see the top military brass. they have gathered there to pay their respects to george h.w. bush himself, a world war ii hero, who volunteered for the u.s. military at the age of 18 on the day he turned 18, fought in world war ii. t

george w. bush felt it should. he had the ability to pull that off. there was the gulf war which was one of the great successes, getting iraq out of kuwait in 1990, the coalition he put together, nafta, which he expanded to include canada, the agreement with mexico. acid rain agreement, the precursor of global warming. it really was international affairs that interested him the most. i will say the team he had, jim baker, dick cheney on defense, colin powell, that was one of the most impressive foreign-policy teams ever assembled. >> on where george hw bush received the lowest marks in that survey, coming in 27th when it comes to setting an agenda the vision, 23rd on public persuasion. >> that vision thing. having the vision and public persuasion, being able to sell it, the most instructive issue for bush was the issue of read my lips, no new taxes. as he was doing that i love to hear what you think. as he said that at the republican convention he is reading the lines, his heart isn't in this becaus

now, george w. bush is hopping mad about this. and he calls his dad, and he says, essentially, what the hell? what happened here? and his father says, brent is a friend. and george w. says, some friend. but, again, it says something but his dad he wasn't willing to stand in brent scowcroft's ways but is hurting because he knows it hurt his son. trying to do the right thing on all sides. i'm abundantly confident that george h.w. bush did not see that op-ed before it was written. and i. >> what about the retrospective fight over cheney. this gets really personal, too. obviously 41's defense secretary but barbara says i believe in one of your interviews, just criticizing cheney in very personal terms about the power and then w. comes back and says that guy didn't make one fing decision. it's really fascinating to see the split in the family over whether cheney grabbed too much power. >> i think that president bush goes to the white house with a clear understanding of domestic policy and he wants to be the education president. that all

put george h.w. bush into context. >> george h.w. elonged to a different generation, it didn't boast or hold itself forward. his mom told him you can't do that. and he came out of this tradition and that shaped everything he did so that he was not who wanted to have a fight. you talk about restoring civility, he is the perfect example of the kind of model we ought to have about that. but increasingly he belonged to an older generation. and impart am part of an older generation, we don't click as well as 25 years ago with younger generations, don't understand the references, musical references and all of that. i admire that in george h.w. bush. i think he was true to himself. he was authentic through his life. >> david gergen, appreciate your thoughts. you'll be with us through the day. from political rivals to long time friends, president george h.w. bush and clinton had an unlikely friendship. more on that just ahead. ♪ let's do the thing that you do. let's clear a path. let's put down roots. let's build something. let's do the thing

chief among those will be president george w. bush, the son of president george h.w. bush, father and son both served as president for a time in american history. >> actually, we were talking about everyone being assembled. we have seen all of the former living presidents who are in the cathedral, but we have not seen president trump and the gop leader of the republican party in san francisco, jason clark, is here. everyone is there, but president trump is not there. is it customary for him to enter last? >> it is customary. due to security concerns. >> and now here comes president trump and first lady melania trump. >> the president chose a blast. -- shows up last. >>> again, life pictures from inside the national cathedral. in the front row, you see all of the past living presidents. from right to left come easy jimmy carter, the oldest living president at 94 years old. he is the same age as president george h.w. bush. >> his wife is well. then hillary clinton and bill clinton. michelle obama. barack obama. and then melania trump and president trump. they arrived las

they over coming back out and george w. bushcoming in and clinton grabs the president and says george, this is my favorite work by x. i've followed his work for years. and at that point, as 41 would tell the story, he would say no wonder that guy would beat me. he could spin anything into gold. so i think president clinton loved president bush's serenity and dignity. george h.w. bush admired clinton's charm. >> well, if you can put it any way you want any time, particularly on the subject of george h.w. bush. thank you so much for your recollections today. >> thanks, alex. >>> in a moment why my next guest says the one-term president was an enormous success. (dad) got it? (boy) got it. nooooooo... (dad) nooooooo... (vo) quick, the quicker picker upper! bounty picks up messes quicker and is two times more absorbent. bounty, the quicker picker upper. not in this house.? 'cause that's no ordinary family. that's your family. which is why you didn't grab just any cheese. you picked up new kraft expertly paired cheddar and swiss for e

at night, thank god for your many blessings george h.w. bush." resuming here. in the meantime, some of the funeral service with the eulogy from his longtime friend and former secretary of state, james baker. james: my friends, we are here in the house of the lord to say goodbye to a man of great faith and great integrity. a truly beautiful human being. characteror his noble , his life of service, and this sweet memory as he leaves for his friends, family, and for our rightful nation. for more than 60 years, george h -- george herbert watch -- herbert walker bush has been my friend and role model. today, as we entrust his soul to have been -- to heaven, his name to history and his memory to our hearts, i must begin with an apology. i'm about to do something you always hated, and that your mother always told you not to do, brag about yourself. i will do this, because it must be done, and because as a lawyer, i see that thing beloved by all lawyers, a loophole. [laughter] yourself, youout once wrote, let others point out your virtues. today, mr. president, i am th

and certainly made george h.w. bush rest in peace. more now with shep smith. i'm dana perino. ♪ >> shepard: good afternoon, i'm shepard smith. our coverage begins today with george herbert walker bush making his final journey to washington. a live look at joint base andrews where the casket is set to arrive minutes from now, followed by a ceremony which we will bring you live during this newscast. hours ago a send-off in texas from the president's adopted hometown of houston. ♪ at ellington field, artillery fired the salute in that band played a hail to the chief as a military honor guard brought the president's casket from the harvest to the plane. of course that plane normally goes by air force one but the solemn flight has been dubbed special air mission 41. the late president's family is also on this flight including his son, the former president george w. bush along with the former first lady laura bush. here they are getting on that plane. also on board, the former presidents service dog, sully. you may have seen this photo of him lying down by the presid

pete: not only being at george h.w. bushould be more fitting but here at the ronald reagan lie baby. you likely never have president george h.w. bush. this airplane used by ronald reagan at this library but also used by george h.w. bush. a lot of history behind us. as you mentioned, you mentioned his service, which is so central to who he was and how his generation, the greatest generation was. can i only liken it to my own experience after 9/11 a generation of men and women mobilized for war to defend this nation. as you said, december 7th, 1931, a day that will live in elm family. infamy. but for that generation it awoke a generation. i don't need to repeat it he went to phillips exdoor. son of a wealthy family could have went to yale. instead enlisted as a naval aviator. he got the job stationed on aircraft carriers assigned to torpedo squadron. saw some of the significant battles o engaging with the enemies over 58 combat missions that he flew over the course of his time in world war ii. a fateful day as you have all all

bush was still in the navy. they would have 6 children including our 43rd president, george w. bush and popular florida governor jeb. bush left the navy and graduated yale before he and barbara moved to texas to find his dreams on the wheel field. by age 30 he was cofounder and president of zapata offshore which pioneered experimental drilling equipment but just like his father bush was attracted to public service and politics. after losing his first political race for a senate seat in 1964 he was elected to the house of representatives two years later serving two terms, encouraged by richard nixon to run again for senate in 1970, he was defeated a second time. he moved on to high government positions. in 1971 richard nixon appointed him ambassador to the united nations and in 1973 he became chairman of the republican national committee at the height of the watergate scandal. bush urged next to resign for the good of the party. >> i shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow. >> world bush sent them to china as part of the liaison office. a short time ago he called h

and jeff, my understanding is that neil bush and george w. bush, former president george w. other members of the family are on the tarmac. >> jake, that is correct. i can see standing here, watching the plane is former florida governor jeb bush and marvin bush, as well. they and their families and really dozens of former bush campaign staffers from the white house residence to the west wing to the staff of air force one, to the u.s. secret service, standing here in formation, watching as special air mission 41 makes a final turn here. and for president george w. bush, this is his first time aboard this airplane in nearly a decade, of course, since leaving washington. but as you see this, the special air mission 41 make a final turn here, jake, i can tell you, it's a crisp but rather warm december day. a clear blue day for flying. and everyone has their iphones out, from every family member i can see to other staffers, watching what is about to happen here. you see that presidential hearse sitting there, but the casket is going to be unloaded and then there will be a ceremony

prudence is the hallmark of george bush's leadership. idity were the right qualities in that very sensitive time in history. mumt also described barbara bush. >> we've received so many letters who say i can let my hair go gray, gain a few pounds. >> i have gotten letters that say stay fat, stay gray, stay wrinkled. we love you. >> barbara bush promoted literacy. even ghost writing books. it was news when the puppies had puppies at the white house. >> it looked so warm. that couple would gather with children and grandchildren at their estate in maine. >> all of my cousins come together when my grandfather was president, there used to be a helicopter pad. we'd take a car down to greet him. >> there he is, the president, our dad. >> there is certainly from top to bottom a family full of affection for each other. >> i got up at 6:00 a.m. many morningings to watch him play golf. he loved it have reporterers there because it made it like the u.s. open. there were always competitions, tennis, horseshoes, boating and golfing. >> the bushes were a

george h.w. bush. president bush dedicated his entire life to public service as a vocation, first in the military, then as a member of congress, a diplomat, director of the c.i.a., vice president and finally president. it is a record of service reminiscent of john quincy adams and unmatched in nearly a century. we thank you, oh god, for having endowed president bush with noblesse obligue and ask that his example of service to others might be an inspiration to all americans, indeed, to all the world. as we continue this celebration of honor, grant that all be des best selves in service to all our brothers and sisters, as you might call us to be. dear lord, thank you for inspiring such greatness in president george h.w. bush and continue to bless the united states of america. amen. >> 30 years ago, on the west front of this capitol, george herbert walker bush addressed the nation for the first time as our president. he said, "we meet on democracy's front porch. a good place to talk as neighbors and as fr

the world honors george h.w. bush "today," saturday, december 1, 2018. >> from nbc news this is a special edition of "today," remembering president george h.w. bush. >> good morning. welcome to "today." thank you for joining us on this special edition of "today" on a saturday morning. as we mourn the passing of the nation's 41st president, george herbert walker bush, peter is in buenos aires and harry smith is here. >> a lot of memories are flooding in this morning. former president bush dedicated has life in -- his life life in the service of the country. the condolences have been pulling in since late last night. let's get to garrett haake. >> reporter: the president's long term spokesperson announced the death late last night and condolences poured from from all over the world. the former president had been 94 years old and he has been battling a form of parkinson's disease and he had been in failing health for some time. he was last seen in public casting his vote in the midterm elections back on november the 1st.

i love george bush. do. >> i so appreciated your words about our relationship, about our friendship, bush wrote to clinton after a 2006 awards ceremony. it was from your heart. i hope you know i feel the same way. >> they've become really great friends. in fact, almost like family. and that's part of a jealous problem for the rest of the bush kids. they think they've got this other brother named bill clinton. >> until you've been on the ground and see it, it's hard to real advertise scope of the challenge that lies ahead. >> reporter: they first came together after the 2005 tsunami in southeast asia, and traveled extensively together over the years. here is what bush wrote to close friend and former "time" magazine columnist. clinton is a fascinating character. he has opinions on everything, no matter what. during that tsunami relief trip, bush like many others before him would be confronted by clinton's legendary problems staying on schedule. i had always heard that bill clinton had his own time. clinton

but the bush family, we know that george h.w. not vote for president trump. we know that george w. bush did not vote for president trump. so this is a room and part of his appeal, i suppose, the idea that he was very anti-establishment even though he is now the embodiment of the establishment. president trump is in a room full of people who did not vote for him in many ways. >> good to see jimmy carter there, as well. these are truly, truly remarkable pictures all being shown in honor of the 41st president of the united states. >> it's a glorious cathedral, the national cathedral and quite an assemblage. traditionally, the sitting president would be one of the people asked to give a eulogy. that is not the case here. you can say bush 43, it's a unique situation because bush 43 would be giving the eulogy. you can say that the bush family clearly chose not to have the current president actually speak. he was invited. i don't know if it is a slight smile on the face of barack obama, the awkwardness of the situation. >> first of all,

george herbert walker bush, george w. bush, the entire bush family, barbara bush, i sent my simp net and support to -- my sympathy and support, i thank you for the sacrifice you made for our country, your husband and your family. i'll try to always as close as i can -- i'll never make it but i'll do as much as i can to be as good or try to be as good as george h.w. bush was. i hope when i die and the papers report on that if there is any they'll be as kind to me as they've been to george bush. what they've done with george bush is told the truth, not told about any failures where there might have been a few. they talked about his victories, his passions, his love and most of all they talked about a great country, the united states of america. it is today great and always will be because of men like george herbert walker bush. may god bless his soul and thank him for the service he's brought to our great country. i yield back and note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

well, there's no contest, george h.w. bush. >> would you say the same thing about him? unconditionally. >> in their last conversation, the younger george told his father by phone, he had been a wonderful dad and he loved him. george senior's final words, i love you too. kristen welker, nbc news, washington. >>> retired general and former secretary of state colin powell was in president bush's inner circle as chief's of staff. secretary powell, we appreciate you being with us this evening. president bush was a combat veteran like yourself, he understood the price of war. tell me, if you would, about his decision making process after iraq's invasion of kuwait, and what would ultimately become the gulf war. >> it was a shock to say what iraqis had done, to take over the peaceful country to their south. the first couple days after the invasion, president bush was thinking it through, we gave him military options. we told him what the military could do. he was anxious to see if there was not a diplomatic solution to this problem, so the iraqis would simply leave kuwait again

and david mentioned the inauguration of the george h.w. bush. how about the inauguration of george w. bush. here you are with him speaking ability his father at the inauguration. watch this. >> he's not the kind of guy to sit down and say let's discuss how i feel. today. you can tell that he was very proud. and as was i. i decided i was going to see what it was like to be in the oval office as president. i was in there taking in the moment. dad walks in i said welcome mr. president. he said thank you mr. president. >> did he give you any advice? >> no. no. and he was very guarded about giving me add visz unless i asked for it. >> was it hard to live up to him? >> no. >> because? >> of unconditional love. the message from george bush i love you no matter what you do. >> can you imagine that. how proud a father would be to say congratulations mr. president. and then respond thank you mr. president. >> it was no question. and extraordinary moment in general. and certainly extraordinary moment for the two of them. both president bush 41 and 43 have s

president bush reaching out and taking the hand of his son, president george w. bush. lovely moment. and to think of george w. bush standing andatching his father, the former president. how often in our history, dating back to what? the adams. >> yes. aho sonas a president, stood in the rotunda to honor the fallen president that is his father. >> we're looking at a picture again from theapol rotunda as the dignitaries begin to file out. and as we have already said. there are opportunities for the public to gon a pay their ts resp >> yes. and today, one good thing for e family was they had beautiful weather. the public has tomorrow to be paying its respects before the funeral on wednesday. we know a lot of people areca wondering e they'll be standing in line. what do they have in store? >> much colder weather. it does look like things will be okay weatherwise. as far as sunshine, much colder. we saw everybody lining up across the street as the presidt drove, was driven through.mp teatures, 62 degrees. very nice across o region. 60s to the south. 65 degrees. ght now, a l