Add George HW Bush and Barbara Bush to the list of Bushes critical of Grover Norquist, the man behind the GOP’s no-tax pledge. A month after their son Jeb Bush — former governor of Florida — criticized Norquist and his pledge, the elder Bushes told Parade Magazine they don’t much care for Norquist’s pledge either:
Thoughts on the “no new tax” pledge from Grover Norquist.
PARADE: During your presidency you gave in on your “no new taxes” pledge. You’ve been vindicated in many respects for that decision. I wonder how you view the “no new tax” pledge from Grover Norquist that seems to be requisite for GOP political candidates.
George Bush: The rigidity of those pledges is something I don’t like. The circumstances change and you can’t be wedded to some formula by Grover Norquist. It’s—who the hell is Grover Norquist, anyway?Barbara Bush: I think he ought to go back to Alaska. [laughs] Don’t quote me! [A reference to a comment Mrs. Bush made about Sarah Palin in a 2010 interview, in which she said, “I think she’s very happy in Alaska—and I hope she’ll stay there.”]
