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Aboard the Bush Plane
Exclusive for The Daily Beast
In a Daily Beast exclusive, a former Bush advisor files his account—and his photos—from aboard the former president’s flight back to Texas.
Knowing it would be impossible to get out of the city Tuesday morning, many of us arrived Monday night at the very funky Econo Lodge by Air Force Andrews Base. The Blair House it was not. But good to be humbled on the way out.
We jumped in a van in the morning and watched Obama’s inaugural address from the lobby at Andrews. The group of 100 or so watching, of which 100 percent were George Bush supporters, all offered their enthusiastic applause for the new commander in chief. Not to say there weren’t some critical reviews of the speech, complaints about taking unnecessary shots, and grousing about borrowed ideas, but there was an absence of malice one normally sees among the constituencies of the vanquished.
And then we all boarded the plane. Among the passengers, longtime Bush family, friends, and staffers included the former president’s mother and father and daughters Jenna and Barbara, Karl Rove, Karen Hughes, Dan Bartlett, Josh Bolten, Joel Kaplan, Jared Weinstein, Mike Meece, Andy Card, Don and Susie Evans, Blake Gottesman, Clay and Ann Johnson, Ed Gillespie, Barry Jackson, Joe Hagin, Israel Hernandez, Jeanne Johnson Phillips, Margaret Spellings, Alberto Gonzales, Brad Freeman, Jim and Debbie Francis, and Roland and Lois Betts.
“Grateful.”
That’s the word expressed not just by former President Bush, but his staff, as well, on the last flight home aboard on what any other day of the last eight years would have been Air Force One, but today was Special Air Mission 28000.
I can only imagine the blogosphere lighting up with what will be some version of “good riddance.” But while I expected the president’s mood to be defiant, bitter, defensive, or vengeful toward his critics, he was anything but. As he toured the cabin of the airplane throughout the flight, visiting with old friends, family, and staffers, he was filled with equanimity, grace, and a generosity of spirit.
Bush has gotten to know Obama during this transition period and he has a pretty good gut for people. His gut tells him Obama has what it takes to be a successful leader.
And while I’m reluctant to quote the president directly from private conversations, I think I can fairly report that he feels a genuine warmth for President Obama. He admires his sense of family, his relaxed and easygoing nature, and his character. He has gotten to know him during this transition period and he has a pretty good gut for people. His gut tells him Obama has what it takes to be a successful leader. Not yet tested. Not yet proved he is willing to make difficult and unpopular decisions. But the potential is clearly there.
And it’s nice to see that while some partisans have yet to sheath their swords, Obama too has warmed to President Bush during this period of peaceful, diplomatic, and graceful transition. He now believes, as does anyone who knows President Bush, that he is a “good guy” and that “he made the best decisions that he could at times under some very difficult circumstances.”
I also know the Obama team has deeply appreciated the degree to which President Bush and his staff went out of their way to make for a smooth transition.
President Bush acknowledged that before Obama was even sworn in today, he knew his life had changed when his usual morning papers failed to be delivered at the White House.
About midflight, everyone gathered with President Bush in the conference room to view a moving and emotional 22-minute video produced by Scott Sforza and edited by Laura Crawford that included administration highlights and personal messages and thank-yous from staff and Cabinet members.
Mrs. Bush strolled the aisles thanking friends and staffers. The president’s father, with his walking stick, hobbled through, as well, with a familiar glint in his eye and smile at the corner of his lips. Wife Barbara padded around behind him, ever ready with a witty riposte to any and all. Karl Rove was in his usual seat in the conference room, challenging Joe Hagin and Blake Gottesman to a game of cards. And winning. Insisting they autograph the final score. And I was snapping pictures all along, inspiring Josh Bolten to declare me a “tourist.” Which I happily admitted I was and have been all along.
There was a lot of talk of old days and old times. About how eight years had flown by. About how children had grown. There was no high-fiving or celebration. And no weeping or whining. Just a quiet and friendly exchange of hugs between longtime colleagues and friends who had traveled a lot of miles together and weathered a lot storms.
And in the end, we all were simply grateful for the incredible ride.
RELATED: An oral history of presidents' final flights home.
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, causes, and individuals, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today’s rich internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
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GVidal
He did not leave soon enough - We don't care about him - American's have had it - 80% wanted him GONE -
Finally we can sigh a breath of fresh air that this incompetent damaging adminstration has ended. The last 8years were terrible for the US. Elections matter - image if Gore had not had the election stolen??Bye bush - don't ever return - even to visit - stay in Texas.Thank the Lord we have come through this - It will take 8 years to begin to overturn the mess of Bush. NO MORE BUSHES
JB5150
I'm proud to say that I am one of the minority who will always be grateful for our 8 years under President Bush's leadership. While I'm happy for the peaceful transition of power from one good man to another, it was sad to see the former president leave Andrews on what was Air Force One. I spend a lot of time in Washington for work and have always been honored to drive by the White House. He brought honor and decency to the office that he so humbly held. He was dealt one of the worst hands in history and I am glad he was President during this time. While many blame him for the trials America faced, I believe we have his leadership to thank for helping America through those trials. Thank you President Bush!
Mugly067
"he made the best decisions that he could at times under some very difficult circumstances." Hmm lowering emission standards when the rest of the world is trying to figure out how to lower emissions, That a real difficult decisions there, to do right or wrong, and which did he choose, bah useless, maybe he can use that as his defense if your country has the balls to bring him and his merry band of henchmen to some semblance of justice.
BigSky1970
Great article. Just the man I always knew in my heart he was. As for you Obama voters, I will respect Obama in the same manner you respected President Bush. Don't like it, tough.
Annie2013
This is more spewage of the bitter swill. Quit poisoning the well.
He and his ilk may be gone, but we'll be cleaning up the carnage for generations.
DevilsLawyer
I believe you and Bush are both good guys, Mr. McKinnon, even if I disagree with you on a lot of fronts. What I don't understand is how Mr. Bush's good gut for people gave us Bolton, Rumsfeld, Gonzales, Feith, and so much incompetence, scandals, and catastrophe.
But I guess you're not the person to answer the questions so many are asking. You're the ad guy, a damn good one at that, and a tourist as you describe yourself. I'm happy for you that you came out unhurt from the maelstrom of the past eight years, and I admire your decision not to help McCain's campaign. Hope the last eight years were fun for you, and I wish you the best.
Blenko
I only hope TDB was paid by the Bush's to insert this patronizing dribble. It may belong in someone's scrap book but not as a writing piece with real substance in TDB. File it as a celebrity piece and move on.
tomgtv
Nice sentiments, I'm sure the people who have lost their homes and jobs due to this regime feel great right about now. Oh, did you notice Bush wincing when upholding the Constitution was mentioned? Bush turned out to be worse than any 10 Al Qeida organizations as far as the harm that has been done to this country.
Maybe, just maybe, the US will learn the lesson of letting a radical ideology, cloaked in patriotism and religion, gain control of the levers of power.
writerforhire
Reflection is always the rule of the day when a president leaves office. Bush's polices were not popular and the choices (which the public does not know in detail) were not fun and still they had to be made. In the days past the election his popularity decreased quickly; that's the game. Nixon was not a popular president at the time of his departure and still he is honored and scholars reflect on his brilliance. Clinton survived a public infidelity and is revered. Bush will be honored as history becomes more than yesterday.
mrsaggie81
Thank you, Mr. McKinnon, for that tribute to George Bush, his family, and staff. I didn't always agree with everything George Bush did, but I do believe he did a lot of things right. It was nice to read a favorable article for a change.
keith67
You know im reading some of the comments here and i will never understaind peoples need to be hateful. Bush has not done the best job ever but he has done a pretty decent one. When we look back at something we all have 20/20 vision. as far as cleaning up his mess if you are refering to the war lets look at Clintons mess any one seen Black hawk down that is a true story during Clintons administration i was in the Military and we were bombing Sadam Hussan long before both wars. My point is ever president has made there mistakes let Bush's die already and move on!!!!
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Sapphire
I am so grateful that he was our president for the last 8 years ---- who knows what might have happened if we had someone less committed to our safety? We may soon find out. I am disgusted and sick of congress and americans ignorant to the truth and so gullible to believe the lies of mainstream media to blame all things wrong on President Bush.
Shame on those obama worshippers yesterday who demonstrated childish and hateful attitudes toward a man who did more to protect this country than you will ever know. The hysterical idolotry of obama is just startling --- all for someone who has no experience and surrounds himself without apology with people of questionable backgrounds and practices ---- I mean, a secretary treasurer who cheats on his taxes? It's laughable and scary how a lot of americans just think all this is fine, are quick to overlook the many attempts by the bush administration to oversee and audit fannie and freddie and congress' strong stand to prevent it ---- but it's all bush's fault?
How many millionaires were made during the years 2002-2006? Too bad many didn't sit on some of that wealth.
burnshazel42
Shame on you people that does have the integrity or maners to disagree with someone in the right way. People might even listen to you if you did. Hazel
twinzee
I can't believe all the harsh comments towards President Bush. He did the best he could during times that were unthinkable in America's eyes. I would hate to see where our country would be if Bush had not taken action after 911. You cannot back down and hope for PEACE when terrorists are in our country. As for the economy, if a democratic president had been in office we would still be where we are at now. Bush was a loyal and honest man who always stood by his beliefs whether we agreed or not. Do you people really think that everyone is going to agree with our new president? No, I am sure there will be many disappointed with his decisions. I just hope and pray that the United States does not focus on him being the 1st Black President sooooo much. If color is not an issue then why make a huge deal about it. That in itself will cause many problems if it continues as it has been. President Bush was there for 8 eight years he obviously won America's heart by staying there that long. As many of the military said and I agree, we will give our new president a chance and see how his decisions play out. WITH MANY THANKS TO PRESIDENT BUSH!!!!!!!!!
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