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Bush Twin in N.Y., W's Library to SMU, Bike Riding Ronald Kessler NewsMax.com's Washington Wire, with Ron Kessler:
1.Barbara Bush Explores Architecture Jobs in New York
1. Barbara Bush Explores Architecture Jobs First daughter Barbara Bush is moving to Manhattan to explore jobs that allow her to pursue her interest in architecture. The Washington Post's Reliable Sources reported today that the Bush twin was moving, but the paper did not know why. "What the First Daughter has planned for NYC remains unknown; the White House maintains a firm policy of not commenting about the twins' personal lives," the paper said. But sources say Barbara, 24, is interested in jobs related to architecture. After graduating from Yale, she spent roughly a year working on projects helping victims of AIDS in South Africa and other African countries. In part because of Laura Bush's influence, the president decided to commit $15 billion over 15 years to combating AIDS in Africa. Since graduating from the University of Texas, Jenna Bush has been teaching inner city kids at a charter school in Washington.
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2. SMU Likely Choice for George W. Bush Library The search for a suitable spot for the George W. Bush Presidential Library has been going on for a year with no end in sight. Initially, seven sites were being considered. Now the field is down to three—Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Baylor University in Waco, and the University of Dallas. Insiders believe SMU — Laura Bush's Alma mater — will be the choice. But a final decision has been put on hold because Texas lawyer Gary M. Vodicka filed a lawsuit claiming that SMU used deceit and scare tactics to oust residents, including him, from University Gardens so that SMU could raze the condominium complex and build the Bush library. SMU denies any link between the library and the purchase of the apartments, which had been in the works long before the library was proposed. They claim Vodicka filed the suit to get a higher price for his units. "We are assessing the proposals, and the president will make a decision," commented former Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans, Bush's close friend who is in charge of the review. One thing is definite, Evans told me. To attract young scholars, the library will include a public policy center similar to the Hoover Institution, which is affiliated with Stanford University. The library is expected to cost at least $200 million, compared with $165 million for the Clinton library.
3. Bush Rides Bike 'Like a Demon' Many of the president's friends wish he would find another sport besides bicycling. Because of an injured knee, Bush had to give up running and instead treks sixteen miles or more on a mountain bike. The Secret Service often has trouble keeping up. He also works out at the White House six days a week. In May 2004, Bush fell from his bike at his Crawford ranch. He suffered cuts and bruises. When Bush was in Scotland for a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in July 2005, his bike slipped on wet pavement. The president went flying into a police officer, who came away with a sore ankle. Because they try so hard to keep up with him, Bush's friends have had mishaps as well. Just before he resigned as White House Chief of Staff, Andrew H. "Andy" Card., Jr., fell off his bike while riding with Bush at Camp David. Card wound up with a cast on his arm. Last month, Bush's Yale friend Michael M. Wood, who was sworn in on June 8 as ambassador to Sweden, was bicycling with Bush at a Secret Service facility in Beltsville, Maryland. Wood fell off his bike and broke his collarbone.
On Memorial Day weekend, Bush was bicycling at Camp David with his close friend Don Evans, who fell off his bike and returned bloodied. "He knows his limits on his knee," Dr. Charles M. Younger, an orthopedic surgeon who is a close friend from Midland, Texas, said. "Jogging was his passion, and his knee got to the point where it was no longer a good option for him [to jog]. When he jogs, he goes all out. If he would jog sensibly, then he probably could jog. But he'd rather ride a bicycle like a demon than to jog sensibly." For Bush's birthday party last July, Laura Bush had the White House pastry chef bake a three-foot-long chocolate cake. On top of the cake was a three-dimensional chocolate bicycle.
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