‘Who The Hell is Grover Norquist’: George H.W. Bush Lashes Out at Anti-Tax Crusader

Poor George H.W. Bush. His “read my lips, no new taxes” line is sure to go down in history as one of the greatest gaffes ever committed by a Presidential candidate, and with good reason. Not only was the line a campaign promise that Bush ended up breaking, but his willingness to raise taxes in exchange for government spending cuts that never materialized shows that it was a campaign promise that wasn’t even worth breaking in the first place.

Of course, the political fiasco that Bush caused by making that promise and then breaking it has since become a rallying cry for antitax spokesmen within the GOP. The foremost of these is Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform, and host of the much speculated about “Wednesday meetings,” for whom the story has arguably attained the status of a parable. Needless to say, Bush probably absolutely loathes Norquist for exploiting this painful memory.

George H.W. Bush Dismisses Grover Norquist in Interview With Parade Magazine, Norquist Sarcastically Tweets in response.

Grover Norquist

This apparent distaste led Bush to fire off an extremely harsh response to Norquist in an interview with Parade Magazine, published today, dismissing the antitax crusader as a nobody:

PARADE: During your presidency you gave in on your “no new taxes” pledge. You’ve been vindicated in many respects for that decision. I wonder how you view the “no new tax” pledge from Grover Norquist that seems to be requisite for GOP political candidates.
GB: The rigidity of those pledges is something I don’t like. The circumstances change and you can’t be wedded to some formula by Grover Norquist. It’s—who the hell is Grover Norquist, anyway?
BB: I think he ought to go back to Alaska. [laughs] Don’t quote me!

The quote from “BB” indicates Bush’s wife, Barbara, shares her husband’s dim view of Norquist.

Norquist, however, took the whole thing in stride, responding as only an amused and successful activist can by tweeting the following image:

George H.W. Bush Dismisses Grover Norquist in Interview With Parade Magazine, Norquist Sarcastically Tweets in response.

Norquist also took aim at Bush personally in an interview in the Huffington Post, slamming the former President as a liar:

“He didn’t lose this election because he lied to me, he lost the next election because he didn’t keep his word to the American people,” said Norquist in an interview with The Huffington Post.

Norquist took exception to Bush’s focus on him, stressing that the pledge is a commitment to the public.

Referencing a HuffPost headline showing different characters named “Grover,” Norquist said, “The key thing: The pledge is not to Grover Cleveland, it’s not to Grover the furry monster, it’s not to Grover Norquist. It’s to the American people.”

“I think he was buying into the Harry Reid argument recently that somehow the pledge is to me,” Norquist said. “Now he knows better than that … He gave a speech at the Republican convention. He didn’t turn to the side and say, ‘By the way, Grover, I won’t raise taxes.’ He said to the American people, I’m not going to raise your taxes, take that to the bank.”[...]

“It was 22 years ago. Let’s give the guy some slack,” he said. “He had an otherwise successful presidency … He got Iraq out of Kuwait without occupying the place for a decade — he ought to have a conversation with his son about how you do that. But he had one big hole in the bottom of the boat, and that was a tax increase.”[...]

“The reason why Republicans today take the pledge and keep it is they have the example of George Bush winning the primary because he made that commitment, winning the general election because he made that commitment and then losing the presidency because he broke that commitment to the American people,” said Norquist. “So he’s a very big part of the success of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”

Ball’s in your court, Mr. President.

Comments (115)

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  • QuincySmith
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:39am

    HEADLINE: “Grover Norquist – It was all Bush’s fault!” Norquist is right, Obungler is wrong!

    Report Post » QuincySmith  
  • TRILO
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:36am

    Why are most of you complaining or disagreeing? Both Bushes support, endorse and are fundraisers for Oromney. Do you honestly think you will get anything different if Oromney is elected?

    Report Post » TRILO  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:13am

    I never liked him or his george Washington wife, country club republicans…….he lost because he lied…RINOS.

    Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:24am

      Condoleeza came from Miami, Fla
      Hitchhiked her way across the USA.
      Plucked her eyebrows on the way
      Shaved her leg and then he was she – she said:

      Hey Babe, take a walk on the wild side,
      Said hey honey, take a walk on the wild side.

      She’s George Bush.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 10:20am

      Jerk,
      She folded to the N. Koreans just to make a deal she thought would be her legacy. How’s that working out? I want no part of her.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • ericsez
    Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:01am

    this is just another example of why this family should never be anywhere near power. bush, his wife and all the rest are elitist, arrogant snobs cloaked in folksy garb. they have a vision for US that will render US compliant to their world view wherein WE, the little people, will be a docile flock with them as the shepards. afterall, THEY are american blue bloods ordained to lead…

    Report Post »  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 7:10am

      Exactly……
      “HW” made the infamous “New World Order” speech and is, of course, a member of the CFR, which has been behind the One World Gov. idea from the begonning. This man is a traitor. I don’t care that he served in the armed forces.
      “HW” is another example of why our election process needs to be de-monitized as much as possible. And now- with the sanctioning of illegal immigrants being able to vote- it is totally out of control.

      Report Post »  
    • DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 7:45am

      ERICSEZ – The Bushes aren’t “elitist, arrogant snobs cloaked in folksy garb”. That’s an asinine thing to say. Misguided? Soft? Moderates? Yes, but there’s nothing arrogant or snobbish about them. Get over your hate.

      Report Post » DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:50pm

      Ya mean the like KENNEBUNKPORT KOWBOY?
      His favorite Texas dish is BBQ Lobster!

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
  • jeepkid99
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:56pm

    who the hell are you, georgie? that’s the problem with politicians, always thinking they’re above every other American citizen

    Report Post »  
    • DesertRose1960
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:04am

      You don’t get it. George H.W. Bush was elected to the Presidency of the United States. He was his party’s standard bearer. He was a Vice President for two terms. He was a Member of the House. He was appointed an Ambassador. Grover Norquist forces elected politicians to sign a pledge NEVER to raise taxes or he will use his political connections and the media to destroy their careers. Grover Norquist has never held an office, he was never elected to anything. Why does he place HIMSELF above the will of the PEOPLE? Who the hell is Grover Norquist and why does he have this much power?

      Report Post » DesertRose1960  
  • lylejk
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:47pm

    Who gave us Agenda 21? This guy also got us involved with Hussein but didn’t finish the job which gave bin Laden the stupid idea that we were weak so he planned 9/11. This RiNO should stick to jumping out of planes and I have little respect if at all for the guy; voted for Ross P. against this guy. His son I like marginally better but even W spent too much. When W tried to pass CAFTA, I ended up voting for Michael Peroutka against him. I’m tired of the RiNOs/Neocons that infiltrated the Republicans. I really don’t want to vote for Romney, but I’m not voting for Romney; I’m voting again BO so Romney is just the lucky recipient of my vote. We really need to give both the parties the boot but there is no viable third party that can beat BO so I have to do what I have to do. My vote’s to save the country from a dictator; my sole goal for the next election. I’ll probably vote 3rd party the election after unless Romney surprises me. :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:58pm

      The Bush family is a poison to real conservatism. Remember that Condoleezza Rice is a Bush in drag.

      Report Post »  
    • lylejk
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:13am

      Romney promised a pro-life (not a pro-choice lite) candidate for VP. We shall see how trustworthy he is to keeping his word. :)

      Report Post » lylejk  
    • 19RANDY59
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:50am

      We must start at local level elections to change the landscape. It’s going to take a long, long time.

      Report Post » 19RANDY59  
    • Action-Not-Just_Words
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 11:31am

      @WATERSRPEOPLE -Posted on July 14, 2012 at 5:35am
      In fact in 500 years no one will remember anyone who gave people handouts, freebies for which they called ‘Charity’ which only served to keep people in poverty.

      It’s NOT called charity when the money is taken from the people under threat of law or the working end of a gun. Taxes are not voluntary..

      Report Post » Action-Not-Just_Words  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:45pm

    Most politicians lie, cheat, steal, or flip flop to pander to voters. Bush, his son, McCain, Obama, and Romney are all the same.

    Report Post » Mutiny  
  • RealLiibertarian
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:40pm

    Exactly the type of garbage that drove me away from the Tea Party and from the GOP. I’ll take freedom, thank you, freedom from holier-than-thous and all other sanctimonious idiots.

    Report Post »  
  • freestaterev
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:35pm

    Barbara needs to go back to posing for Quaker Oats boxes…no really look at this pic:
    http://www.freestaterevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/barb-quaker-oats.jpg

    Report Post » freestaterev  
    • socialism.rocks
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 1:19am

      she is real royality real her family is not alone related to every king queen the world has seen but also
      every tsar most emperors of rome to famous greeks her family goes all the way back to moses her blood line is precious what has your family done for the world? her side of the family is gods warriors….. they are holy you have no idea who what you are talking about you are lucky you are behind a computer i would smash your face- for dishonoring her like that
      you are very lucky indeed

      a pox on you and your line forever

      Report Post » socialism.rocks  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:22pm

    I was more bothered by GHWB’s “New World Order” address from the Oval Office more than I was the “no new taxes” pledge:

    ———————————————————–
    “We have the opportunity before us to forge for ourselves and future generations…a New World Order…….”

    Report Post »  
  • antimarxiest
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:21pm

    I used to fight like a dog defending george w. bush against those who would ridicule him, even voted for him twice but what choice did I have ,al gorey or john scarry and with romney (hear we go again) well hes better than this physo we have now….gulp!!, but now I see the bush’s as hard charging in the beginning only to fade into a wimpering mass of goo in the end….but it was better than the alternative. sound familar….

    Report Post »  
  • klatoo
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:18pm

    “What is at stake is more than one small country; it is a big idea: a New World Order”. – President George H. W. Bush,
    GHWB was going to give up the sovereignty of the US for his vain big idea. Hey that sounds like the guy that invented the internet.
    Nope he’s a coward.

    Report Post »  
  • dadadadio
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:15pm

    Have every respect for GHWB’s service to his country. The picture of him being picked up by a submarine off Chichi Jima after his plane was shot down says volumes. Having said that, he also coined the expressions ‘voodoo economics’ and ‘read my lips, no new taxes’. Today, he is nice but confused elderly man.

    Report Post » dadadadio  
    • TRILO
      Posted on July 14, 2012 at 12:32am

      Sorry, he is not a confused old man. He has been true to the progressive agenda since day one.

      Report Post » TRILO  
  • betterthantv
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:14pm

    Rino

    Report Post » betterthantv  
  • Magyar
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:54pm

    Ya know—GH Bush‘s time has come and gone and I really don’t care what he has to say.

    In the end he was nothing but a progressive— as was his son.

    They both contributed to the failed state of this country by inplementing policies that eroded the core values that made the United States the greatest, most productive FREE nation on the face of the earth.

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:44pm

    No new taxes,that was the promise George HW made then promptly broke,typical lying politician.
    He’s a progressive just like George W. The son expanded the power of the federal government ie the patriot act and RX coverage through medicare,a big government stooge just like his old man.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Pontiac
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:42pm

    “He got Iraq out of Kuwait without occupying the place for a decade — he ought to have a conversation with his son about how you do that.”
    Didn’t know Bush served as president for 10 years and sorry, we ended up back in Iraq because we didn’t “occupy” just like we ended back up in Europe after WWI because we didn’t “occupy”. In a sense we’re still occupying Germany, Japan & Korea. Haven’t had a major problem with them since.

    Report Post » Pontiac  
  • macpappy
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:40pm

    Lets just hope Obama is held to the same standard

    Report Post » macpappy  
  • klatoo
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:39pm

    BB says something nasty and then says, “Don’t quote me” What up with that? Tell me BB, should he or shouldn’t he. Did you mean it or didn’t you. Or are you going to cop out like your old man.

    Report Post »  
    • DSTSS2010
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:57pm

      Klaatuu barada nikto. Sorry Klaatuu, Gort won’t be here to help you.

      Report Post » DSTSS2010  
  • klatoo
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:35pm

    GHWB could look you in the eye and lie all day long. No need to get angry about it that was a long time ago. He just couldn’t tell the truth. It’s a weakness with him and it still is. He’s a coward pure and simple. There is no justification, only really lame excuses and he did not have an otherwise successful presidency. He never like Reagan. Voodoo economics he said. Nope … old George there firmly believed, like Nancy Peloci, that you should stick the Amercans with more taxes until the scream and then give the screw another twist. He was a fraud and a criminal.

    Report Post »  
    • Goldi
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:44pm

      OK, he lost because of it. However, he believed the dems (something you should never do) when they said they would cut spending. Just like they want you to believe now.
      I think Daddy Bush is a good man. He believed someone he shouldn’t have ever!

      Report Post »  
    • SHASTADIANE1
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:50pm

      You are full of it…no way is he a coward, or a chicken…at over 80 he went sky diving, and no one at that age would even consider it if they were a coward. He did what he thought was the right thing to do based on what he knew at the time. You want to talk cowards..how about the ones put in office who have no credentials, no experience and NO business doing the work of the Peoples Country. I’m just really sick of people hitting and running. When they know not of what they speak. I remember when he bombed Sadam for days and days, and got the point across and we were all applauding him…how quickly we forget, and most in thanks to the idiot Dan Rather who was pushing HIS agenda..and lying through his teeth…so sad.

      Report Post »  
    • DSTSS2010
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:54pm

      Klatuu barada nikto. You need to learn how to spell your name. Gort won’t be coming to help you.

      Report Post » DSTSS2010  
    • klatoo
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:13pm

      @ shastadiane1.
      He chickened out. was more afraid of what the libs would do to him than what the people would do. Ronald Reagan wasn’t afraid. And he show old bushie how to do it. GHWB is a progressive republican. Don’t let you blind support of that president make you look like a fool. O yeah real brave…. He bombed Sadaam. Well he didn’t exactly it was more like the military. I remember a quote from Margret Thatcher. Don’t go all wobbly on me now George” is a famous quotation from Margaret Thatcher.

      Report Post »  
    • nueces
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:58pm

      He and his idiot son destroyed the Reagan Revolution.

      Report Post »  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:32pm

    Is it just me or does daddy Bush look a smidge EVIL?

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:26pm

    Nice post Mr Jeffs…Hows prison?

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:26pm

    Who cares what this NWO geezer has to say.

    “Clearly, no longer can a dictator count on East-West confrontation to stymie concerted United Nations action against aggression. A new partnership of nations has begun. And we stand today at a unique and extraordinary moment. The crisis in the Persian Gulf, as grave as it is, also offers a rare opportunity to move toward an historic period of cooperation. Out of these troubled times, our fifth objective — a new world order — can emerge: a new era, freer from the threat of terror, stronger in the pursuit of justice, and more secure in the quest for peace. An era in which the nations of the world, east and west, north and south, can prosper and live in harmony.
    Speech to joint session of Congress (11 September 1990)

    Report Post » DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:11pm

    As I understand it, GHWB made a vow to the American people and he broke it. Very simple. He dropped the ball; he was fired for it. I‘m sure it’s a sore spot with him. Oh well. Lots of Americans have sore spots these days. But I don‘t think GHWB is hurting as much as some folks I know who don’t have their houses anymore. I have no sympathy for the man. I appreciate his service to the country but he can save his snide comments about Grover. Very unbecoming. But that’s politics and politicians playing them.

    Report Post »  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:39pm

      remember that joe bigmouth biden just said he was a middle class person, it seems that it is the government rich who want everyone to feel sorry for them when they screw up and try to turn out great country into a communist state,but they could careless about the hard working middle class or those who are just under it,they only care for themselves and some times the needed.

      Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on July 13, 2012 at 10:04pm

    Proves that you NEVER compromise with the lefties.NEVER!

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • klatoo
      Posted on July 13, 2012 at 11:02pm

      You are correct sir. In GHWB’s case he knew what he was doing. It was pre meditated. He done wrong he knows that too. But not in the sense that it was unfair and it hurt people and the economy but only because he thought he was entitled to 4 more years of government pampering and pleasure. George was not a conservative. He was a progressive republican. That’s all anyone needs to know.

      Report Post »  
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