June 13, 1999
Web posted at: 10:42 p.m. EDT (0242 GMT)

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AllPolitics, June 13) -- Making a short pit stop during his first presidential campaign swing, Texas Gov. George W. Bush went to his family's Maine summer home Sunday for a show of support from a previous White House occupant -- his father.

Bush, here with wife Laura, said, 'It's a huge plus to be George and Barbara Bush's son'

"It's a huge plus to be George and Barbara Bush's son," the governor and 2000 GOP aspirant said while appearing before cameras and reporters with his parents and wife.

But for his part, the former president made it clear that he plans a hands-off approach to the campaign, saying, "I'm not in the advice business for George."

"He doesn't need my advice," the elder Bush said. "My contribution can be letting him find his own way. He's got his own team, a good team of issues people, and he doesn't need a voice from the past."

However, Bush, who was elected president in 1988 and defeated for re-election in 1992 by Bill Clinton, did say that to the extent that he had "served with honor" in the White House, "maybe I hope that will be a little bit of an asset."

Barbara Bush, the popular former first lady, gave her son an enthusiastic testimonial.

"I'm crazy about him, and I loved watching him on TV yesterday," she said. "He is talking about all the things that I think America is concerned about -- family and taking responsibility. I think we've done good."

Bush makes intentions clear in Iowa

Bush, 52, serving his second term as governor of Texas, was in Maine on the second day of a four-day swing that started in Iowa on Saturday and will take him to New Hampshire on Monday. Those two states will hold the nation's first precinct caucuses and presidential primary, respectively, early next year.

While not yet a formally declared candidate, Bush made no bones about his intentions during a speech Saturday in Amana, Iowa.

"I have come here today to say this -- I'm running for president of the United States," he said. "There's no turning back, and I intend to be the president of the United States."

In Iowa, Bush, whom polls show is the Republican front-runner, hammered away on his trademark theme of "compassionate conservatism," arguing that Republicans can cut taxes, trim welfare rolls, reduce crime, improve schools and promote personal responsibility without appearing intolerant.

"I am confident that Americans view compassion as a noble goal, the calling of a nation where the strong are just and the weak are valued," he said. "I'm proud to be a compassionate conservative. I welcome the label. And on this ground, I will make my stand."

The latest CNN/Time poll shows that fully two-thirds of Republican voters surveyed believe Bush will be the GOP nominee in 2000 -- although 69 percent said they don't yet know enough about him to decide if he will make a good president.

Among Republican voters, 54 percent of those polled said they would support Bush, while his closest competitor, former American Red Cross President and Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Dole, garnered the support of only 14 percent.

Others in the race include former Vice President Dan Quayle, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Rep. John Kasich of Ohio, former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, magazine publisher Steve Forbes, media commentator Pat Buchanan and conservative Christian activist Gary Bauer.

Correspondent Candy Crowley contributed to this report.

Sunday, June 13, 1999

• No decision on indicting Clintons, Starr associates say
• Bush has support of past White House occupant -- his father

ARCHIVES