George H.W. Bush hospitalization draws concern

President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush play with confetti as it showered them at the 1992 Republican National Convention, August 20, 1992. / Getty Images

Updated 1:11 p.m. Eastern Time

Former President George H.W. Bush has been in the hospital for one week battling a "chronic cough," his chief of staff told the Houston Chronicle, which reports that the president's condition has "drawn concern."

"President Bush is in the hospital," his chief of staff, Jean Becker, told the newspaper. "We have kept this quiet out of respect for him."

 Bush Family Spokesperson Jim McGrath told CBS News that the former president "had bronchitis, but they were able to cure that."

"He's still in the hospital with a lingering cough," said McGrath. "This is just a precautionary measure. Very hopeful he'll be out by the weekend. He was admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston the day after Thanksgiving."

Mr. Bush, who is 88 years old, has reportedly been in and out of the hospital for weeks. The Chronicle reports that his son, former President George W. Bush, visited Mr. Bush on Sunday.

Mr. Bush served as president from 1989 through 1993 and as vice president under Ronald Reagan from 1981 through 1989.

Over a long Washington career, he was also a member of the House of Representatives from Texas from 1967 through 1971, chair of the Republican National Committee, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Director of Central Intelligence.

UPDATE: McGrath sent the following statement at 1:09 p.m. Eastern Time: "President Bush has been in and out of Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center being treated for complications related to his bronchitis. He is in stable condition, and is expected to be released within the next 72 hours."

[hypnotoad72]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

This man knew what Reagan's warped concept of economics was, "voodoo economics" was the term GHWB used.

I wish he was able to do more about reversing Reagan's poisonous policies, but I've read enough in the past to say he is one GOP representative I can respect.

[jamie047]

Best wishes to all concerned. Bush41 brought me back alive from Desert Storm for which I'm eternally grateful. He's in my prayers for sure.

[jamie047]

So.

[bud28dy]

Get well Mr. President. I never voted for you and opposed many of the things you stood for. But as a true American, I respect you and the office you held and your service during WWII, regardless of political differences.

[Scimajor]

Ditto. I also would like to add that he is a genuinely nice person and that's pretty rare in politics.

[cannuc]

The only person in America, who when asked: "where was you when Kennedy was shot?" said "I don't Remember."

[mrleme]

Kennedy who? We're in the 21st Century now where's the relevance? Who cares

[Rafterman11]

I can't stand his son, but I actually liked the old man. H.W. was more gifted than he was given credit for. Plus, a WWII Naval aviator. Outstanding.

[thechooch1]

I agree, multi-talented President who will forever be tainted by his son's failures.

[hypnotoad72]

AD_IUD,

Please stop with the spin. Bush was able to get a ton of destruction accomplished, and I know you've read this link because I've posted it to you before:

http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-63.htm

Was it Bush's first term or second where he had the Democratic majority to laugh at?

Oh,

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/04/14/158424/republican-leaders-debt-limit-hypocrisy/

Have fun spinning that article, if you actually read it this time.

Bush Sr was decent, and even called supply-side economics "voodoo economics". He, unlike you, knew what it was about.