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ONE-ON-ONE WITH DAVID FROST: GEORGE BUSH: A PRESIDENT'S STORY (TV)

Summary

One in this series of special interview programs hosted by Sir David Frost. This program features a conversation with former President George Bush at his home in Kennebunkport, Maine, and in various other symbolically important locations around the world. The interview begins in the Bush library in Texas with a discussion of Bush's family background and childhood. Bush talks about the strong influence of his parents as well as his educational and recreational experiences at Phillips Andover Academy, and he presents photographs from the library that illustrate major events in his youth. He and his wife Barbara Bush recall the beginning of their romance, his decision to join the navy during World War II, and his harrowing experiences during a battle in Japan. Next, the pair discuss their marriage and their move to west Texas, where they raised their family and George Bush began to work in the oil industry. He also became involved in Republican Party politics, first on a local level, and then by 1966 on a wider level as a Congressman. Bush recalls his growing political career under the guidance of Richard Nixon, and he reflects on the challenging position he took as chairman of the Republican National Committee at the time of the Watergate hearings in 1973. Next, in Beijing, where Bush served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the Bushes reminisce about the time they spent in China, and George Bush and Brent Scowcroft analyze U.S. policy toward that country. Back in Kennebunkport, Bush comments on the following: his soured relationship with Ross Perot; his nomination as vice president under President Ronald Reagan; his perception of ReaganÕs involvement in the Iran-Contra affair; his own nomination of Dan Quayle as vice president; the achievements of his cabinet in domestic policy; the mistake he made in promising not to raise taxes and then yielding to pressure to go back on his word; his unrecognized role in reviving the economy; and his defeat by Bill Clinton in the 1992 elections. The discussion continues in Russia, during an informal visit with Boris Yeltsin in the Kremlin. Bush remarks on the changing relationship between the U.S. and Russia during his presidency, particularly as seen in his interactions with Boris Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev. Frost and Bush then move on to Berlin, where they visit the Berlin Wall, and Bush reflects on his reactions to German unification and explains the complicated process of bringing the Cold War to a close. In Kennebunkport, Bush comments on his attitude toward the press, the divisiveness of the issue of abortion, his contributions as a leader in the Persian Gulf War, and Saddam HusseinÕs strategic errors. Included is a clip of FrostÕs interview with Bush immediately following the Gulf War, in which Bush expresses the tremendous responsibility and pain he feels about the deaths of U.S. soldiers. The program concludes with a discussion of the following: the reasons for Bush's choice to end the Gulf War in accordance with international law instead of pursuing Saddam Hussein; the qualities that are important in a president; BushÕs political legacy; and the possibility that the Bush children might pursue high political offices. Commercials deleted.

Cataloging of this program has been made possible by the Bell Atlantic Foundation, 1999.

Details

  • NETWORK: A&E
  • DATE: February 24, 1999
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:36:26
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:57173
  • GENRE: Talk/Interviews
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Presidents; Vice-Presidents; Watergate; Iran-Contra Affair, 1985-1990; Persian Gulf War, 1991; U S - Foreign relations - China; U S - Foreign relations - U S S R
  • SERIES RUN: A&E - TV, 1999
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • John M. Florescu … Executive Producer
  • David Frost … Executive Producer
  • Michael Cascio … Executive Producer
  • Michael G. Amouri … Coordinating Producer
  • Laura Fleury … Coordinating Producer
  • Wallace Westfeldt … Producer
  • David S. Wilson … Producer
  • Joanne Harrison … Associate Producer
  • David Frost … Host, Interviewer
  • George Bush … Guest
  • Barbara Bush … Guest
  • Bill Clinton
  • Mikhail Gorbachev
  • Saddam Hussein
  • Richard Nixon
  • H. Ross Perot
  • Dan Quayle
  • Ronald Reagan
  • Brent Scowcroft
  • Boris Yeltsin