George W Bush: My Dad Would Have Won in ’92 if Not for Ross Perot

Former President George W Bush told Face the Nation’s Bob Schieffer Sunday morning that his father almost didn’t run for reelection in 1992 due to son Neil Bush’s role in the Savings & Loan scandal, but that he likely would have won were it not for third party candidate Ross Perot.

“I can’t prove it. It’s all conjecture, of course,” 41 said. “But it would ultimately have been a clear choice between a guy who had a very good first term and an untested governor.”

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Bush added that his father’s ’92 defeat toughened him up for his own terms.

“Ironically enough it did make it easier for me,” Bush said. “When people criticize my dad, somebody who I admire greatly, I didn’t react well at times. It really, really affected me. When they criticized me, the sting wasn’t nearly as difficult. Being his son during his presidency created a layer of asbestos.”

Watch the clip below, via CBS News:

[Image via screengrab]

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