Local Republicans remember what was different about George H.W. Bush

December 3, 2018

Collins Parker,

The nation is beginning a week-long observance of the life and legacy of the 41st president of the United States George H.W. Bush.

As you may know his body has been taken to Washington today to lie in state at the capital rotunda.

Back in Chattanooga, we get a local perspective, with News 12’s Ashley Henderson.

“I don’t think, in our lifetime, a greater American public servant will be buried. There have been greater presidents. I think Regan’s going to go down as a two term president, as a greater president, not a better public servant, in the truest sense of public service, than George Herbert Walker Bush.”

Former congressman Zach Wamp had plenty of opportunities to see and speak to the former president. Wamp says he was easy to be around informal and down to earth.
Current Congressman Chuck Fleischman first met Mr. Bush when he was a freshman in college in the 80’s.

“I think his hallmark is civility. And that’s what we’re seeing now. And I have always tried to be civil, not only with republicans and democrats, people who agree with me and people who disagree with me, and I think that’s going to be one of his outstanding legacies, his civility and his infinite kindness towards other people.”

Fleischmann says he believes then-Vice President Bush was influenced by the man who held the top office at the time.

FLEISCHMANN: “Ronald Reagan’s influence on him was profound. He became avowedly pro-life, he became much more conservative, not only as a candidate, but then later, as a president.”

But Zach Wamp says the nation can learn important lessons by looking at the life of George H.W. Bush….

WAMP: “The greatest thing that could happen to this county as we say goodbye to Bush 41 this week, is that we would, everyone including president Trump, everyone, take a dose of his humility, a dose of his commitment to serving people, if we all did that, it would honor him. It would honor him, because he was that example.”

In Chattanooga, Ashley Henderson, News 12 Now.