For Bush, a family affair in New HampshireBy Mike Ferullo/CNN
January 29, 2000
Web posted at: 7:20 p.m. EST (0020 GMT)
MILFORD, New Hampshire (CNN) - Locked in a very tight race with Arizona Senator John McCain with just three days to go before the New Hampshire primary, Texas Gov. George W. Bush campaigned for the first time Saturday with his famous father and namesake, former President George Bush.
There was a decidedly "down home" feeling among the festive crowd of 1,800 Bush supporters as they awaited the arrival of the GOP front-runner at the Hampshire Hills Swim and Tennis Club in Milford. The Bellamy Brothers musical group cranked out country-style tunes just before the extended Bush family -- including siblings Neil, Marvin and Dorothy -- took the stage with their famous older brother.
"I'm blessed with a great family," the Texas governor said. "When I heard my family was coming up here to knock on doors, it gave me that extra impetus to keep charging in New Hampshire."
Bush was also flanked by a number of prominent New England Republicans who have thrown their support his way: New Hampshire Congressman Charles Bass, Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci, and Senator Judd Gregg, also from the Granite State.
Bush was also joined by Elizabeth Dole, the wife of the 1996 Republican nominee, Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, and a one-time candidate for the 2000 GOP nomination.
The Texas Governor then introduced "two others who could not stay away," former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara. Mrs. Bush made only the briefest of appearances.
"We said, we just gotta go up (to New Hampshire)," Mrs. Bush said as she handed the podium over to her husband. "We are excited to see you all here."
The elder Bush, who ran three times in the New Hampshire primary and won twice, also got straight to the point during the brief appearance.
"To say that Barbara and I are just thrilled to be here is the understatement of the year. From as far away as Texas we could tell that things are moving up here, moving along well," he said. "I'm proud of our whole family. This boy, this son of ours, in not going to let you down."
A Bush victory in Tuesday's first-in-the nation primary would cement his standing as the GOP front-runner and damage McCain's ability to challenge him in South Carolina and elsewhere on the election trail. The Texas governor began his day in the nearby port city of Portsmouth, where he appeared before an estimated crowd of 1,000 people.
Many in the Milford crowd, who waited for as long as two hours, expressed surprise that Bush and his father didn't say more.
Garth Hoff, from the nearby town of Weare, New Hampshire, remained undecided between Bush and McCain after the event.
"I'm leaning toward Bush but won't make up my mind until I get into the booth on Tuesday, said Garth, a registered Republican who supported Bob Dole in the 1996 New Hampshire primary.
"McCain has some good ideas some bad," Hoff said.
With the polls pointing to a neck-and-neck finish, the Arizona Republican lambasted the Bush campaign strategy Saturday as "quick, get me another endorsement" from the GOP establishment. McCain has irked many of Republican faithful with his modest tax cut proposal and repeated calls for sweeping campaign finance reforms that many fear will give a decided edge to the Democrats in the fund-raising department.
Clare Mason, a retired secretary from nearby Manchester, was not in the least disappointed by the Bush family appearance.
"I loved his father," she said. "I think John McCain is a very fine and he would make a good president, but I think he's been a little bit wishy-washy on the abortion issue. I don't think he's come out as strong as Bush on that issue."
John Burns, a retired electrical engineer from Cullum, said he was supporting Bush because he thought the Texas governor gave the Republicans their best shot at regaining the White House in 2000.
"I think he's got the best chance of beating the current administration, better than (Steve) Forbes, better than McCain," said Burns, who said he was also attracted to Bush's commitment to protecting the rights of gun owners.
Neil Bush, George's younger brother, responded to questions about the very brief appearance.
"I think its fair, I think these people came here knowing George Bush, he came here to rally the troops," said Bush, 45, who runs an educational software and multimedia company in Houston.
"I can't imagine being parents and not help out in some way," the younger Bush said, pointing out that he had visited some 30 towns this past week. "The efforts of a second brother, especially a non-Governor brother have a limited impact," he joked.
Bush's other brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, stayed home to tend to official business.
"I don't like the idea of the dynasty, but I do like the idea that my father has modeled a quality of public service that we as family hold in high esteem," said Bush, joking that his young son Pierce may decide on a future in politics.
As for himself, "My dad was president and I managed to keep a low profile and I'm managing to do the same thing now."
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