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Susan Collins: George H.W. Bush ‘Always Did What He Thought Was Right’

David J. Phillip
/
Associated Press
Obit George HW Bush Thu Ton, of Dallas, places flowers at the base of a statue of former President George H.W. Bush outside the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in College Station.

Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, were more than political supporters, they were friends.

Collins says she visited them at Walker’s Point on several occasions. She says his long career of public service deserves high praise.

Collins admits she was surprised to find out Bush’s last tweet was praising her speech in support of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

“I was incredibly surprised to learn that was his last tweet and I was very honored by that and his very thoughtful support of the position I took,” she says.

Collins says Bush possessed a particular trait that more politicians should adopt.

“He always did what he thought was right and that’s very good advice for anyone that is in public service.” she says.

Collins says this year, she lost some of the people she most admired.

“In this past year I have lost my father, Barbara Bush died, John McCain died and now President Bush. They were all great Americans in my book and people that were devoted to public service,” she says.

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.