Tribute to former President Bush yields discussion of Florida Election

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- At a tribute in his honor, former President George Bush took the opportunity to discuss the impending inauguration of his son, his family, and also "the terrible 37 days" of election chaos in Florida.

Sharing the stage with wife Barbara and grandson George P., Bush spoke in front of a friendly crowd at a reception held at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building.

Former President Bush introduced George P. as a rising star in the family, but expressed concern at the treatment of George P.'s father, Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

"One of the things that troubled me the most was the gratuitous attacks on this boys father, the most honorable, honest man in the world," he said.

"And to see him come under fire for doing the right thing, conducting himself with honor, it really burned me up, and Barbara, too."

The event was sponsored by the law firm of Baker Botts. James Baker, partner in this firm, was the representative of the Bush-Cheney team in Florida. Bush senior praised Baker's work in Florida, saying Warren Christopher "never had a chance."

"I am telling you, we like Warren Christopher, I have great respect for him, but he was in over his head when Baker took him on," he said.

Bush also told the crowd that he had emailed his doctor at the Mayo Clinic for a prescription to dry up tears in anticipation of Saturday's inaugural.

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