BUSH OPEN TO TAKING V.P. OFFER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-00498R000100010046-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2007
• Sequence Number: 46
• Publication Date: December 15, 1975
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2007/08/21: CIA-RDP99-00498R000100010046-3
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The senior Repbulican on Symington asked Bush if ST ENN S - TOLD Bush
the committee. Strom he "would volunteer any- that it has been his obser-
Thurmond of South Caroli- thing that was Krong.," vatiar. that it takes at least
na. hailed Bush's appoint- "I am confident that I year for a CIA director
meat and gave up" the ; would cooperate fully." to get on top of the job."
He asked Bush if h
e was
opportunity to ask questions Bush responded. _
CIA. Nominee Says S willing to devote that much
or the nominee, indicating That is not a direct an-
time and effort.
He Wont Seek Of ce . .; that he was was satified swer," Symington said. I certainly will make
- with the nomination. The answer is yes," that committment " Bush
By Norman deapster Bush said.. said. "I have no other
i:: .. tias:.ingtonStar StaffWriter =: > SEN.' STUART Syn',ing- plans. There is a lot of
tong D-Mo., told Bush he BUSH STRESSED that.'
George Bush pledged today to take. learning to do.'
had. made '-a very impres- his . experience as U.S:
no partin partisan politics while CIA sive Stennis remarked that he
director but he refused to rule out ac- statement, based on envoy to Peking and as U.S. was unsure why Bush would
irectg the Republican vice ac- the remarks that have been ambassador, to the. United want the job which he. said
dential nomination. - made, it looks that you have Nations gave him valuable was politically as much a
Busz; the former tiblican Na- alrezdy been confirmed." insights .for. the job. as CIA dead end as "being mayor
Rep But Symington, in effect, . director: ?
tional Chairman whom President of rw York City." Bush to pledge that Bush said his experience 'I didn't seek this job - I
Ford picked to.. succeed : William he would volunteer to Con- in. China particularily had was riding my bicycle in
Colby as CiA director, said he would ?ress information about : impressed on him the value Peking. comin
not .`.`renounce his political birth-- _-CIA wrongdoing even if the of a strong-U.S. intelligence church, when 1 received home from
a
right" to accept the vice presidency tawmzkers failed to ask, operation:. - message,'. Bush said. "It
::.if offered. about it. In the past, CIA Referring to the leaders was out of a clear blue
Appearing, at-- the Senate' Arms directors have often an of China, B~,~sh said. "I szw Ciura sky that this come to.'
Services Committee's hearing on his - ` swered - the questions of , more .clearly . through their me. There is nothing politi
confirmation, -Bush said he had no Congress without providing eyes the importance of cal in this for me - it is a
apology for his political service, four information : beyond- the: - being strong as a nation, du to my country."
years as a Republican House mere- narrowest response to the particularly concerning
ber from Texas and two years as -question. _ possible problems from the
GOP rational chairman: Soviet Union."
At the same time, Bush
"I DO NOT view political exneri- pledged to prevent abuses
1.: ence as a detriment," Bush said. "1.-.
y the CIA in the future.
view it as a r. asset; but I also receg- "Investigative, resorting
size the need to leave politics behind by major newspapers and
:.the minute I take on the new job if . ! investigative work by the
confirmed..-....:- ;_~.. :? Senate and House have
r ' ?"If coni.:raed, I.c'ill take. no part, brought to light some
directly or i.?idirectly, in any paristan abuses ? -that have taken _
("political activity of any:-kind," be place over a long period of
time," Bush said. "Clearly,
i?--.said. " I will not attend any political ---
meetings. I will give no political -'things have been done that . .
speeches nor caake any politcal con- were --outrageous and
tributions." morally offensive. These
But on-the-subject of his possible-` must not be repeated and I
selection by Ford to be on the GOP will take every step possi-
ticket next year, Bush first repeated --: ble that they are not."
Defense Secretary Donald Rums
feld's remark that it was "presump--:
tuous" to withdraw from considera-'-,
ticn. for "something.I am not in
consideration for!'.
He added;.: "Ii some individual or
group comes forward promoting we
ffor vice presdient when I am director
of CIA I will instruct them to cease
such activity." =
t?iJ 1, 1 UMNLNG to the cnnly ['Pay a =-
vice presidential candidate is ever-'
really named -= selection by the
presidential' candidate - Bush said,
"I cannot in all honesty say that I -
would not accept. I don't think any
American should be asked to-say he-:
'-would not accept."
Bush won lavish praise f r o m the
senior members cI the Armed Serv-
. ices -Committee.* Chairman Jahn
Stennis. D-Miss., called him "a gen -
':tlemen that as far as I know has an
honorable public career, a man of
capacity and integrity...
Approved For Release 2007/08/21 CIA-RDP99-00498R000100010046-3