The Presidency

By Hugh Sidey

A White House wit calls it "the geezer patrol." Nothing formal. Just a trio of former Republican Presidents whose words and actions can serve as a potent force for political good -- or misunderstanding.

Take last Monday. President Bush found a memo on his desk from Richard Nixon. It was a five-page document that Nixon had circulated to 50 power players. The former President claimed that the U.S. response to the Soviet meltdown was "pathetically inadequate," a "penny-ante game" that mocked Boris Yeltsin's do-or-die bid to plant democracy in Russia and could raise a devastating political debate over "Who lost Russia?" A bit alarmed, Bush called Nixon, who was headed toward Washington to speak on the same subject. Nixon, now a world statesman, told Bush not to worry; he was talking beyond personalities.

Later in the week, Nixon introduced Bush with a flourish, declaring he was "without question . . . the best qualified to lead the United States and the free world in the years ahead." Bush returned the embrace: "It's a wonderful privilege for me to be introduced by you." In his speech, Bush clung to his belief that he did not have the money to do all that Nixon suggested. Thus was confrontation turned to advantage -- for both men. Nixon, at 79, got to dominate the world stage for a day, reminding people of the great drama in Russia and its importance to Americans, offering Bush an opportunity to rise above the primary street fighting.

The Nixon episode came two weeks after the Bush campaign caravan stumbled into a California brier patch with Ronald Reagan, who reportedly had said Bush was in trouble because "he doesn't seem to stand for anything." Reagan denied the story, but a meeting between the two was set up at Reagan's Bel Air home, traditionally off limits for photographers and reporters. In the heated campaign environment, it seemed like a Reagan chill. Last week Reagan was in Los Angeles' posh Regency Club clearing the air: "George Bush was with me in my crusade. I support his candidacy to the fullest."

Meantime Jerry Ford was hobbling around his Palm Desert, Calif., digs, awaiting an artificial right knee to match the left knee he had inserted two years ago. Unable to get to his native Michigan to plug Bush for this week's primary, he boomed his message over the phone to several old friends in the media. "Pat Buchanan has had his run," said Ford. "It's time for him to get out of the race so the President can spend more time dealing with a Congress that is in total disarray." If the economy is improving, then Bush will win handily, insisted Ford.

Each of the former Presidents has a special following: Nixon, the influential foreign policy establishment; Reagan, the Republican right wing and the broad segment of the populace that still holds great affection for the old trouper; Ford, a grass-roots network of pols whom he helped during his four decades in Congress. Standing behind Bush on the convention stage in August, this trio would give the final campaign a rousing kickoff.

Or would they? At Bush headquarters they wonder if Nixon, who hasn't attended a convention since 1972, is really rehabilitated enough to help rather than harm. And there is a question whether Reagan will project his renowned charm and enthusiasm -- not to mention concerns about Ford's dexterity onstage.