South Carolina and the Dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library

What does today’s dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library have to do with South Carolina? On the face of it, you might be confused, but there are a number of Palmetto State connections.

• Andrew Card, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, served as President Bush’s Chief of Staff.
• Ainsley (Williams) Nelson, a graduate of the University of South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg), worked as President Bush’s scheduler while he was Governor of Texas.
• Greenville Native Tucker Eskew worked in the Bush White House first as Director of the Office of Media Affairs and then as Director of External Communications – working out of London with foreign media a couple of months after 9/11.

All three of them are there today for the library’s dedication, and Tucker Eskew took a few minutes to talk with CRESCENT about the experiences of the day.

“Today isn’t over, but it’s already been an amazing opportunity to see old friends, reflect on a major period of change and drama in my life and the country’s, and appreciate the non-partisan common ground that reminds some of us that country is bigger than party.

“And that George W Bush is a big man. Big enough to be humble, prayerful, and reflective. I’ve seen friends who came from all over the country in 2000 to help us win the South Carolina primary and friends who served in the Fall 2000 campaign and recount win over Gore. Friends at the White House and throughout the Bush Administration. I feel like I’m at a cross between a great high school reunion and a Republican Convention – with a few Democratic presidents thrown in for historic effect! Amazing day, a great honor and a chance to see people I might never have to chance to see in one place again.”

We appreciate Tucker for taking time to give us his thoughts on the day.

PHOTO CREDITS: Tucker Eskew