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Heartbeat:
George Bush in His Own Words
With Jim McGrath
Former Bush Speechwriter
Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001; Noon EST

"Chart your own course," George Bush wrote in a letter to his sons Jeb and George W. in August 1998. Coming from a father, the advice is solid. Coming from a former president this advice takes on added significance. In the wake of the events following Sept. 11, what effect did his father have on future President George W. Bush?

In the new book, "Heartbeat: George Bush in His Own Words," former Bush speechwriter Jim McGrath has collected excerpts from Bush's speeches, letters, public papers and interviews. The collection offers insight into Bush -- both as a public figure and private individual.

McGrath was online Thursday, Dec. 20 at Noon EST, to discuss the book and the 41st president of the United States.

McGrath has worked for Bush since 1991 -- at the White House as a writer and editor, as his post-presidential spokesman, and currently as his speechwriter. He lives in Houston, Tex. where he is founding partner of CEO Communications.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Jim McGrath: We hope that people will enjoy this book as much as readers of "All the Bust," President Bush's letters book enjoyed that. No one book can tell an entire story of any one person -- particularly a president of the U.S. but we hope that after reading "Heartbeat" readers will get a better sense of the personal values of the innate drive and decency that prompted George Bush to do what he did as president.

Washington, D.C.: What was the biggest effect Bush the elder had on our current president?

Jim McGrath: I think it would be in the realm of values. Of course, the best person to answer that question is the president himself, but to venture a guess I'd say it is chiefly in the area of personal values -- serving others, do your best, serve with honor. They're obviously both Republicans, but George W. Bush is his own man in a political sense, but in a personal sense he adheres to the Bush family creed of service with integrity. He also adheres to the Bush family creed of fastplay on the golf course.

Fairfax, Va.: How did you get into speechwriting? And what did you do in the White House?

Jim McGrath: I did not write speeches at the White House. I started as a staff writer and editor in the office of presidential correspondents so I dealt with presidential messages. If the 4H club in Columbus, Ohio were celebrating an anniversary and the president couldn't come, I'd send a message. I dealt directly with constituent mail. People writing to say they agreed and disagreed with this issue. So I had a hand in formulating the written response that would either go for the president's signature or Shirley Green's. I helped pull the president's mail sample -- we'd give him some to let him know what people were saying. I helped on presidential proclamations.

So, I didn't start on speeches, but got a start early on explaining his philosophy and his actions to the American people. So it was a great way to get my feet wet and helped to prepare me for speechwriting, which I undertook in 1994.

Bethesda, Md.: How much input does Bush have into his speeches? Does he tell you the main points he wants to make and then you flesh it out... how much give and take is there?

Jim McGrath: It's one of the most rewarding aspects of the job to be able to work directly with President Bush on these speeches and the WHite House there was a rather Byzantine process... checking with this office, the National Security Council to make sure what you were saying didn't create an incident. It's a more linear process these days. It's just President Bush and me. I talk with the people hosting the event to find out what they'd like him to say, I report to Bush and he tells me what he wants to say and we move forward. I've been writing for him now for 10 years, so normally I have a good sense for where he will want to go with a set of remarks. It really improves the draft when he makes corrections. The process is linear and it's a phenomenal learning experience to be able to work with him on some of the speeches.

Alexandria, Va.: The Bush clan seems to be shaping up to be a Republican counterpart to the Kennedys. What do you think it is about how George and Barbara raised their children that made them all so successful? And are there other siblings besides George and Jeb?

Jim McGrath: Well, I know President Bush (41) does not like comparisons between families. He does not like talk about dynasty becasue that's not how he raised his kids. He didn't lecture them at dinner on Mideast peace relations. He didn't say to each child what they would do when they grew up. He let them chart their own course. President Bush (41) learned from his father mostly by example. His father taught him by example mostly. His mother gave him lessons. From his father, it was by example. He tried to take the same approach with his children. But he didn't tell George W "one day you're going to be president." They were exposed to their fatgher's values, ambitions, the give and take of the political process, which isn't unlike an athletic competition. They knew it was a tough business, but decided to get into it.

There are three other bush children not involved in politics, one in Virginia, Texas and Maryland. Two have chosen to get into politics, three have not, but President Bush is equally proud of all them.

Arlington, Va.: What about Barbara Bush. How influential is she in the family?

Jim McGrath: Barbara Bush -- it may be the President (43) who refers to her as the enforcer. It may be 41. But that's what she is. She is one of the most frank and genuine people you'll ever come across. What you see is what you get. What that means is if you're doing something (I've helped her with her speeches) and if you do something with which she does not totally concur you are very apt to hear from her immediately. And so in terms of the family, I believe if there's something one of her children does that she doesn't concur with, they are likely to hear from her. But she does it in a wonderful way, that you can only smile after you've been "Barbara Bushified."

Washington, D.C.: How does Bush feel about his son's handling of U.S. policy and plans in the wake of Sept. 11. Is he giving G.W. any advice?

Jim McGrath: Well, I am not aware of any advice. I know that 41 as he was there for Bill Clinton when he called for advice, is always willing to offer advice if asked. I'm completely certain he does not call the White House unprompted and say, "You must do this or that." I am quite certain that he does speak with the President. How often I have no idea and what advice is given, I have no idea. It's hard to imagine that the president has not consulted his father on one issue or another in the wake of Sept. 11, but I think former President Bush, though not completely unbiased, would no doubt side with the vast majority of Americans who support the President's actions.

Washington, D.C.: Does Bush feel that Clinton dropped the ball on terrorism and the Middle East during his presidency? And do you think what is happening now is settling scores George H. wish he had done when he was president?

Jim McGrath: That may be an impossible question to answer, because is President Bush was dismayed by Clinton's action he never expressed it in my presence. In dealing with terrorism, there is a significant role played by the CIA and our intelligence agencies. Which means that there is a lot being done by the government to address this terror question that most Americans will never hear about. As such, it'd be tough for anyone who is not privy to every last detail to cast aspersions on President Clinton and his response to terrorism. I don't think anyone predicted 9-11 before it happened.

I do not believe it is settling old scores. I do not believe this is vengeance. I don't believe that's the way George W. Bush conducts policy. I think he will -- nation by nation -- make a realistic determination of where these leaders and where these countries are in terms of terrorism. And if Saddam Hussein is found to be harboring terrorists, if he is found to be developing weapons of mass destruction and if he is found to be preparing to use those weapons against the United States or our coalition partners then I believe the president, as he did with the Taliban, will take measured but decisive action. And I do not believe that this President of the U.S. makes foreign policy decisions based on domestic political considerations or any family history that might be a part of the equation.

New York: What is Bush Senior up to now? Does he have a major cause or job that he does? Or is it just golf, golf, golf?

Jim McGrath: Trying to keep up with George Bush in retirement is like trying to get a sip of water from a firehose. He just became chairman of the board of visitors at the MD Anderson Cancer Center here in Houston. I believe it is a two-year term. Both President and Mrs. Bush have been very active -- certainly since leaving office -- in the fight to address this disease and help find a cure. To help those who are involved in research and to improve the methods of treating cancer. But this is what personally touched by this disease when they lost their second child to leukemia in the early 50s. So that is one issue into which President Bush has thrown himself with his usual verve and vigor.

He is very active at the George Bush school of government and public service at Texas A&M. He is honorary chairman of the Points of Light foundation. Every year, he hosts a fishing tournament in Florida to raise money to protect the Everglades. Since leaving office, the Bushes have helped to raise money for dozens of charitable organizations and have helped to raise tens of millions of dollars for that cause. The former president also maintains a very busy speaking schedule. He has traveled to some 56 countries in all of the 50 states in his eight years of retirement. And so when he's not doing all that, yes he does find some time for golf.

VA: Is your job mostly politics or PR? Can you mix politics with policy?

Jim McGrath: Well, President Bush tries to stay out of politics. The only politics that really appeals to him are the politics of his two politically active sons. And it is increasingly, now that his eldest is president, that President Bush (41) does not comment on issues. He doesn't comment on the stimulus package making its way through Congress. He doesn't talk about other issues that complicate life for the President of Gov. of Florida. In my job, it's almost impossible to separate politics from a former President, but when he talks these days it's more from the "Heartbeat" side than Republican or Conservative vs. Liberal or Democrat.

Florida: Do you think Jeb Bush will make a run for higher office?

Jim McGrath: I think Jeb Bush has certainly the intellect and now the respect of Floridians and Americans across the country to mount a credible and successful campaign for any office. I believe he's running for re-election in Florida. And will win. Then he and his family will decide what the future holds for him. I count myself among those who have unlimited respect and belief in his abilities and I've spent some time around him.

Bethesda, Md.: Why don't presidents (or prospective ones) try writing their own speeches? Do they ever?

Jim McGrath: President Bush has written his own speeches since leaving office. He went back to the CIA, for the 50th anniversay, and wrote his own remarks for that. He returned to Yale, his alma mater, and was asked to give a personal talk and he wrote his own remarks for that. He wrote his own remarks at the 1996 GOP convention. The problem for former Pres. Bush, as is the case with others, is that they're so busy. The paramount example is a sitting president. THere's so much going on they can't stay on top of every event where they need to speak. That's where (thankfully) we speechwriters fit into the occasion.

I have no doubt his speeches would be far better than anything I could write for him if he had the time. Anyone who read his letters book know what a heartfelt writer he is. But, thankfully, he does need me. If only due to his time contraints.

Jim McGrath: I want to thank washingtonpost.com for this opportunity to talk about the book. I believe George Bush, regardless of politics, but regardless of elections will go down as one of the great statesmen of the 20th centurey. But those of us who know him also know him as one of the funniest, wisest, most caring individuals we've ever come accross and if readers get that same sense from "Heartbeat," then it would have served some good purpose.

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