Quiz: Why Did George H.W. Bush Pick Dan Quayle for his VP?
P. Schultz
May 1, 2015
This
question bugged me for some time until a friend pointed out to me that Papa
Bush was the head of the CIA and, hence, probably played a role in some
clandestine activities both then and as Reagan’s vice president, activities
that, if exposed, could lead to his impeachment, conviction, and removal from
office. The “October Surprise of 1980” would be one example of such an activity,
the “surprise” by which the Reagan team made a deal with the Iranians not to
release the hostages held by Iran until after the election, which of course
would also connect to what got labeled the “Iran-Contra Scandal” during
Reagan’s tenure.
Well, here
is some information that would support the answer that Dan Quayle was George
Bush’s “insurance policy against impeachment,” from Kevin Phillips’ book, American Dynasty, his account of the
Bush family’s history and considerable involvement with the CIA and its many
subsidiaries.
“As
president, Bush senior gloried in the Gulf War and the 1989 invasion of Panama,
both cast as strikes for democracy – even if the dictators attacked were former
friends. Over a decade . . . his web of covert international relationships prompted
charges of his participating in and covering up in three actual or alleged
illegalities: the Republican Party’s ‘October Surprise’ negotiations with Iran in
1980, supposedly undertaken to ensure that no hostages taken in Iran would be
released before the election; the Iran-Contra scandal; and ‘Iraqgate,’ secretly
arming Iraq from 1984 to 1990 before hurriedly changing course after Saddam
Hussein took Kuwait. Two catchphrases recur in the family resume: ‘arms deals’
and ‘clandestine operations.’ A third recurring association would be
‘cover-up.’” [p. 268]
Makes you
wonder, doesn’t it? For example, what was in John McCain’s closet that led him
to pick Sarah Palin as his VP nominee? Hmmmm……
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