George H.W. Bush's "famous last words" campaign promise, with Mark Updegrove

Originally recorded on 10-24-24

In this episode, Matt and Mark talk about the 41st President, George H. W. Bush, and his campaign promise of "Read my lips, no new taxes" during the 1988 presidential campaign, and how that promise clashed with the realities of governing that led to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and a balanced budget...and ultimately sowed the seeds of Bush's defeat in the 1992 election. Mark UpdegroveMark K. Updegrove is the president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation and serves as Presidential Historian for ABC News. From 2009 to 2017, he was the director of the LBJ Presidential Library, where in 2014 he hosted the Civil Rights Summit which included Presidents Obama, George W. Bush, Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Carter. 

Updegrove is the author of five books on the presidency including Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency, published in 2022 and the executive producer of the CNN Original Series, “LBJ: Triumph and Tragedy.” He has written for the New York Times, Politico, Time, National Geographic, the Daily Beast, and USA Today, and has conducted exclusive interviews with seven U.S. presidents. His next book, Make Your Mark: Lessons in Character from Seven Presidents, will be published in March 2025. 

Previously he was publisher of Newsweek and president of Time magazine’s Canadian edition. He is married to Amy Banner Updegrove, the former publisher of Texas Monthly, and lives in Austin, Texas.

00:00 Introduction to Country Over Self

00:34 Guest Introduction: Mark Updegrove

01:05 George H. W. Bush's Impressive Resume

02:22 The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990

03:54 Bush's Controversial Tax Decision

06:47 Impact of Bush's Tax Compromise

09:57 Rise of Conservative Media and Its Effects

11:39 Ross Perot's Populist Candidacy

17:30 Bush's Legacy and the Clinton Letter

24:54 Rapid Fire Questions on Presidential Choices

30:50 Final Thoughts and Closing

To learn more about Country Over Self or to check out other episodes head to Countryoverself.com. 

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Country Over Self is edited and produced by Culture Collaborative Media.