George W. Bush

Education, military service, and early personal life

Main article: Early life of George W. Bush

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The son of former President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush (nee Pierce), George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut but was raised in Midland, Texas and Houston, Texas along with his (abovementioned) younger brothers Jeb Bush, Neil Bush, and Marvin Bush and his sister Dorothy (aka "Doro").

Related Topics:
George H. W. Bush - Barbara Bush - New Haven, Connecticut - Midland, Texas - Houston, Texas - Jeb Bush - Neil Bush - Marvin Bush - Dorothy

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After graduating from the Phillips Academy in June 1964, Bush attended Yale University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1968, with a 2.35 grade point average. In May 1968 he joined the Texas Air National Guard; questions about his service during this period would end up dogging him throughout the U.S. Presidential Election, 2004. In 1973 he obtained permission to end his six-year obligation six months early, and left to attend Harvard Business School, where he received his Masters of Business Administration in 1975. Two years later, he married Laura Welch, a Democrat librarian originally from Midland. They have twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, born in 1981. George W. Bush is the only President in history to be the father of twins.

Related Topics:
Phillips Academy - June - 1964 - Yale University - Bachelor of Arts - History - Grade point average - U.S. Presidential Election, 2004 - Harvard Business School - Masters of Business Administration - Laura Welch

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After graduating from Yale University, Bush joined the Texas Air National Guard on May 27, 1968, during the Vietnam War, with a commitment to serve until May 26, 1974. He was promoted to first lieutenant on the November 1970 recommendation of Texas Air National Guard commander Lt. Col. Jerry B. Killian. He served as an F-102 pilot until 1972.

Related Topics:
Air National Guard - May 27 - 1968 - Vietnam War - May 26 - 1974 - First lieutenant - Jerry B. Killian - F-102

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It has been frequently alleged that Bush skipped over a waiting list to receive a National Guard slot, that he did not report for required duty from 1972 to 1973, and that he was suspended from flying after he failed to take a required physical examination and drug test. These issues were publicized during the 2004 Presidential campaign by the group Texans for Truth and other Bush critics. See George W. Bush military service controversy for details.

Related Topics:
Texans for Truth - George W. Bush military service controversy

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On September 4, 1976, Bush was pulled over by police near his family's summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. He was arrested for driving under the influence, admitted his guilt in the incident, was fined $150, and had his driving license suspended for 30 days within the state. http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/11/02/bush.dui http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/bushdui1.html

Related Topics:
September 4 - 1976 - Kennebunkport, Maine - Driving under the influence

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News of the arrest was uncovered by the press five days before the 2000 presidential election. Bush has described his days before his religious conversion in his 40s as his "nomadic" period and "irresponsible youth" and admitted to drinking "too much" in those years. He says that he gave up drinking for good shortly after waking up with a hangover after his 40th birthday celebration: "I quit drinking in 1986 and haven't had a drop since then." He ascribed the change in part to a 1985 meeting with Reverend Billy Graham. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/bushtext072599.htm http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/bush072599.htm http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/11/02/bush.dui

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Bush has said that he did not use illegal drugs at any time since 1974. http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/08/19/president.2000/bush.drug

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He has denied the allegation (Hatfield 1999) that family influence was used to expunge the record of an arrest for cocaine possession in 1972, but has refused to discuss whether he used drugs before 1974. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n1143/a08.html?4588

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In taped recordings of a conversation with an old friend, author Doug Wead, Bush said: “I wouldn’t answer the marijuana question. You know why? Because I don’t want some little kid doing what I tried.” When Wead reminded Bush that the latter had publicly denied using cocaine, Bush replied, "I haven't denied anything." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4282799.stm http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6999665

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See also George W. Bush substance abuse controversy

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Bush is 5 feet, 11 inches (180 cm) tall. His most common nickname is "Dubya", from the colloquial Texan pronunciation of his middle initial.

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