pillow underwear, talking bush doll?
Many people who were involved with the project are still upset with Mr. Bush. He refused to let go of his man-pillow underwear, even though we pointed out that it would essentially just be a cloth diaper, said one of the lead designers. His absolute favorite idea was the pillow sweat suit, said a Dallas venture capitalist who was pressured by the former president to invest in the project. Bush ordered the design guys to come up with a pillow sweat suit sample, which he loved and ended up wearing every single day for two months straight. He looked like a 65-year-old version of the Michelin Man.
One Dallas businessman who reluctantly invested in the 43 line said that Mr. Bush still owes him nearly $300,000. He keeps telling me hes a little short on cash right now, said the investor. Last time we talked he said hed be able to pay me back in July
when the birthday check from his mom arrives.
The 43 clothing line isnt Mr. Bushs only post-presidency business venture that has failed to meet expectations. Consumers were confused in October of last year, for example, when the former president released a battery-operated talking Bush doll which, when the string was pulled, said either Tear Down This Wall, Go Ahead Make My Day or Who Let the Dogs Out. The Bush Doll was market-tested in several Houston area Wal-Mart stores and then quietly pulled from the shelves due to poor sales. I told him that everyone knows those phrases arent his, said one disgruntled investor. But he just narrowed his eyes, gave me that glare of his and then said youre either with the me and my doll or youre with the terrorists.