Entering into Politics

Entering into Politics

Following in his father's footsteps into politics, Bush became more involved in the Republican party.  In 1962, the same year his father Prescott Bush retired from the Senate, George H.W. Bush was elected chairman of the Republican Party: marking the beginning of his political career.  In 1964 Bush ran for U.S. Senate but lost.  He ran again in 1966 and became the first REPUBLICAN Texas representatives.  Although Bush did not leave any legacies while in Congress, he was nicknamed "Rubbers" because he pushed for family planning and population control. In 1970 he tried again for the Senate but like before lost.

1970 Senate campaign in Texas

Bush sworn in as Director of CIA

Ambassador to United Nations

After failure to be voted into the Senate, Bush took on many positions given him by President Nixon and Ford.  Nixon promised to give Bush a job if he lost and so he did.  He served as Ambassador to the United Nations in 1971, Chairman of Republican National Committee in 1973 (during the Watergate scandal), envoy to China in 1974, and Director of the CIA in 1976.  His political life took a short break when Jimmy Carter won the presidency and the Democrats ruled the White House.  He returned to Texas for 2 years as a private citizen.