Elections · History

In An Election Filled With Vitriol, Pres. George H.W. Bush’s 1993 Letter To Bill Clinton Is A Lesson In Dignity And Respect

by Samuel Warde No Comments

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The handwritten Inauguration Day letter wishing “great happiness” to Bill Clinton is a lesson in dignity and respect in stark contrast to this year’s presidential campaign.

I came across a Facebook post from a childhood friend linking to an article about the handwritten Inauguration Day letter that outgoing Pres. George H.W. Bush left for incoming Pres. Bill Clinton after he suffered a crushing re-election bid in 1992.

In the wake of Donald Trump’s refusal – not once, but two times – refused to say whether he would accept the results of the November presidential election, promising instead that “I will keep you in suspense.”

Pres. Bush’s letter serves as a perfect contrast to Trump’s refusal to respect our country’s history of a peaceful transition of power, and I completely agree with my friend’s post:

“Grace, warmth and professionalism. I hope our country will display these characteristics before, during and after the election. THAT would make America great.”

U.S. News and World Report reports that: “The Inauguration Day letter is from Bush’s presidential library and is mentioned in both presidents’ autobiographies. Back in June, the letter resurfaced on social media, and Hillary Clinton posted it on her Instagram.”

Dated January 20, 1993 the handwritten Inauguration Day letter reads:

Dear Bill,

When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that too.

I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.

There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.

You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.

Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.

Good Luck,

George

NBC’s Today Show reports that: “Presidents writing letters to their successors and leaving them in the Oval Office on Inauguration Day is a White House ritual. George W. Bush left one for President Obama in 2009,” adding that “Ronald Reagan, in his note to the elder Bush, his vice president, famously counseled, ‘Don’t let the turkeys get you down.'”

Below is Hillary Clinton’s Instagram post:

You may have noticed a letter that went viral on the internet this week. The letter is from George H.W. Bush’s presidential library. I hadn’t read it in a long time, until yesterday. It moved me to tears, just like it did all those years ago. It’s the letter that President Bush left in the Oval Office for my husband, back in January of 1993. They had just fought a fierce campaign. Bill won, President Bush lost. In a democracy, that’s how it goes. But when Bill walked into that office for the very first time as President, that note was waiting for him. It had some good advice about staying focused on what mattered, despite the critics. It wished him happiness. And it concluded with these words: “You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success is now our country’s success. And I am rooting hard for you. George.” That’s the America we love. That is what we cherish and expect.

A photo posted by Hillary Clinton (@hillaryclinton) on

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