From Parade Magazine Via ThinkProgress
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.
George Herbert Walker Bush: 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?
Barbar Bush: I think he ought to go back to Alaska. [laughs] Don’t quote me! [A reference to a comment Mrs. Bush made about Sarah Palin in a 2010 interview, in which she said, “I think she’s very happy in Alaska—and I hope she’ll stay there.”]
My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub.
~ Grover Norquist
He (G.H.W. Bush) 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.
. . . 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.
~ Grover Norquist quoted by Huffington Post
Oh my God,#LOVE. thkpr.gs/OCNDkP The GOP desperately* needs the medicine George H.W. Bush is dispensing.
— Fátima (@Fdas7) July 14, 2012
George H.W. Bush used to have a reputation as a "wimp," yet he's one of the few in his party to stand up to Norquist.
— Bearded Stoner (@beardedstoner) July 13, 2012
I love Bush 41,however if he would have listen to Norquist and had not raised taxes he would have served a 2nd. term.
— Michael Reagan (@ReaganWorld) July 13, 2012
I'm willing to bet more Republicans have been elected following Grover Norquist's advice than George Bush's.
— Jim Antle (@jimantle) July 13, 2012
George HW Bush on Grover Norquist reminds me of why being old is awesome. You can say whatever you want & what are they gonna do about it?
— Chris Lilienthal (@ChrisLilienthal) July 13, 2012
More Republicans ditching Norquist's anti-tax pledge huff.to/Ma0dsW
— HuffPost Politics (@HuffPostPol) July 7, 2012
