Los Angeles Times

At 30,000 feet, George H.W. Bush confronted the most difficult hours of his vice presidency

WASHINGTON - It started as just another day in the vice presidency of George H.W. Bush.

He unveiled a plaque at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth where President John F. Kennedy had spent his last night alive and delivered a speech to a convention of cattle raisers. Next on the agenda was a speech in Austin to the Texas Legislature.

The vice president boarded Air Force Two and settled into his seat for the short flight to the state capital. Outside, it was bright and clear, fields of green stretching in all directions, not a hint something had gone terribly

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