Political leaders have fond memories of Barbara Bush

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire’s political leaders have fond memories of former first lady Barbara Bush, who has died at the age of 92.

John H. Sununu served as President George H.W. Bush’s White House chief of staff for nearly three years, from January 1989, when Bush took office, until December 1991.

Sununu, the father of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, told WMUR-TV Mrs. Bush would offer advice to her husband in private. He said the former president took his wife’s advice seriously and “she certainly was part of everything he did.”

Judd Gregg, a former Republican U.S. senator and governor for New Hampshire, said Mrs. Bush brought “a decency, honesty and forthrightness” to the American political stage.

Gregg said in today’s politics, “We could use a lot more Barbara Bushes.”

Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Rep. Annie Kuster also paid tribute to Mrs. Bush.

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Information from: WMUR-TV, http://wmur.com