TLS signed "George Bush," one page, 6.25 x 8.5, personal letterhead, November 6, 2000. Letter to Little Rock philanthropist Jennings Osborne, sent on the day before the 2000 Bush vs. Gore election. In full: "The Dom Perignon is here and is going to Austin with Barbara and me tomorrow. Win or lose, we will celebrate, for we are truly blessed with the most wonderful family and friends in the whole world. Thanks so much for always remembering the Bushes. This comes with warmest regards from the proudest, most nervous dad in America." He adds a handwritten postscript, signed "George," in full: "You are the kindest guy in the world." In fine condition.
When the Bush family celebrated the next night, the results of the election were yet unclear-the election came down to Florida, and all major networks had called it for Gore based on exit polls. However, as returns came in and the votes were counted, Bush took an early lead. Bush led the election-night vote count in Florida by 1,784 votes, which triggered an automatic recount the next day. The results of that count reduced his margin of victory to just over 900 votes, prompting a manual recount. The manual recount, which was fraught with legal issues that included the suspension of the count, was certified with Bush in the lead by a margin of 537. The final decision came down to the US Supreme Court in the Bush v. Gore case, decided in Bush's favor on December 12th.
Coincidentally, the recipient of this letter, Jennings Osborne, was no stranger to the Supreme Court. In the 1990s, his extravagant 3.2-million light display at Christmas had been declared a neighborhood nuisance and he was ordered to take it down by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Osborne asked the Supreme Court of the United States to review the case-claiming that the order diminished his religious right to celebrate Christmas as he wished-only to have his appeal refused.
A significant letter on a historic election by the 41st president, who witnessed his son make history as a two-term executive.
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