Thursday, March 13, 2008

From the Beginning

Hunting for something else I came across this bit from a Jan. 20, 2001 Washington Post article.

"There is always a cultural infusion when a new president comes to town," said Jim Cicconi, an alum of the first Bush administration and a Texan in Washington for the past 19 years. "It's the type of thing that helps reinvigorate Washington, and frankly keeps it from going into a death spiral of self-absorption."


...

Asked for a Texas comparison between dad and son, Cicconi, now AT&T's general counsel, settled in for a long answer.

"George W. Bush is a native Texan, born and raised there. I think Texas is probably more deeply ingrained in George W. from birth. There is a joke about native Texans and naturalized Texans. Both are obviously welcome, but it's a mind-set. I think he exemplifies a certain Texas style. There is a discipline and a focus to him that is impressive in his conduct in public office. On the other hand, he is very engagingly human. He's had a real life outside of politics. His self-worth is not wrapped up in the office he holds. This is a man who does not derive his personal happiness and value in life from the position he holds currently. That has been far too much the case in Washington for many decades."


The reporter was not inspired to point out that actually, no, George W. Bush was not born in Texas.