The following letters are the full text of personal correspondence between George W. Bush and Kenneth “Kenny Boy” Lay -- who was finally fitted with a deserving pair of cuffs on July 7, 2004.

The letters were obtained from the Texas state archives in response to Freedom of Information requests. They touch on ‘personal matters like Bush's knee surgery, Christmas gifts, birthday greetings, and even a Lay heads-up regarding a Thomas Friedman story about globalization. Enron, in case anyone forgot, was Bush's biggest Lone Star political contributor.’

Remember, Ken Lay is a person with which Bush claimed to have no personal relationship. Might he have lied? You be the judge.

To see the actual letters, go to The Smoking Gun.com

Bush - Lay intimate letter 1

* From George W. Bush to his “old friend” Ken.

April 14, 1997

Mr. Kenneth Lay
2121 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas

Dear Ken:

One of the sad things about old friends is that they seem to be getting older – just like you!

55 years old. Wow! That is really old.

Thank goodness you have such a young beautiful wife.

Laura and I value our friendship with you. Best wishes to Linda, your family, and friends.

Your younger friend,

George W. Bush

Bush - Lay intimate letter 2

* Scratched out longhand by Ken Lay to “Dear George”

Dear George, 1/13/97 I was sorry to read that you will be going through arthroscopic knee surgery in a few days. But I also want you to know that at least one jogger (me) got past 50 without surgery. Hope you have a fast and complete recovery and are back out jogging real soon.

Best Regards,

Bush - Lay intimate letter 3

* From George to Ken thanking him for his sensitive, caring get-well note.

April 2, 1997 Mr. Kenneth L. Lay Post Office Box 1188 Houston, TX 77251-1188

Dear Ken:

Thanks for your recent note after my recent knee surgery.

All went well, and I am feeling great. I was able to get back to work almost immediately. My only regret is that I will be benched from jogging for about a month and will miss Austin’s Capitol 10K race.

Laura and I appreciate your kind expressions of concern.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush

Bush - Lay intimate letter 4

* From Kenny Boy to Bush congratulating him on his victory in the gubernatorial election and also offering his hand in legislative activities, “…let me know what Enron can do to be helpful in not only passing electricity restructuring legislation but also in pursuing the rest of your legislative agenda.”

* Lay seems to say that he and other business interests are attempting to create the legislation themselves. Perhaps this is the precursor to Cheney's 'energy task force'!

November 11, 1998

The Honorable George W. Bush
Governor
State Capitol, Room 2S.1
Austin, Texas 78711

Dear George:

Congratulations! What a fabulous victory for you and the entire Republican slate in Texas. While the rest of the Republican ticket was clearly strong in its own merit, your leadership and ability no doubt had much to do with the unprecedented sweep of statewide offices that the Republican Party enjoyed.

Your focus on opportunity and responsibility was one that I believe resonates around the country as well as in Texas. As one of those opportunities, we hope that you will again actively support efforts to pass a bill restructuring the electric industry in Texas. By passing such a bill , your administration would be responsible for providing the citizens of Texas with the equivalent of a tax cut which could immediately amount to $1.7 billion or more annually.

Texans spent $17.7 billion on electricity in 1997. Even a 10 percent reduction in bills will yield significant savings for Texas homeowners and businesses. Historically, deregulated industries see savings in the 20 to 40 percent ranges over time. There is no reason to expect this industry to behave differently.

Enron has worked during the last year with interested parties from all segments of the electric industry in Texas – legislators, IOUs, coops, munis, consumer advocates, large customers, small customers, marketers, and independent power producers, to name a few – to forge a better understanding of the others’ positions and to try to craft a consensus bill. While we have not yet achieved consensus on all topics, it appears that all parties accept that there will be legislation bringing retail competition to Texas passed by the 76th Legislature. Enron looks forward to participating in these deliberations and has confidence that Texas can pass the best piece of restructuring legislation yet in the United States. Please have your team let me know what Enron can do to be helpful in not only passing electricity restructuring legislation but also in pursuing the rest of your legislative agenda.

Again, Linda and I extend our heartiest congratulations! We look forward to working with you and your team as you bring Texas into the 21st century.

Sincerely,

Ken

(Also written in long hand on the typed letter is a note that says: “George – Linda and I are incredibly proud of you and Laura. Ken”)

Bush - Lay intimate letter 5

* From Ken Lay to George W. Bush

December 21, 1999

Governor & Mrs. George W. Bush
State Capitol
Austin, TX 78701

Dear George and Laura:

Linda and I very much want to thank you for the “Tejano Santa” print by Sam Coronado with your signatures and the official seal. It was so thoughtful of you to send it to us, and it is a gift we will treasure.

We want to wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year.

Sincerely,

Ken

(Also written in long hand on the typed letter is a note that says: “George and Laura – Linda and I are so proud of both of you and look forward to seeing both of you in the White House. Hope you have a great Christmas with your family, Warmest regards, Ken”)

Bush - Lay intimate letter 6

* Ken Lay to George W. Bush and wife Laura thanking them for yet another “thoughtful” gift.

December 11, 1997

Governor and Mrs. George W. Bush
The Governor’s Mansion
State Capitol, Room 2S.1
Austin, Texas 78701

Dear Laura and George:

Linda and I very much want to thank you for the handsome 1997 capitol ornament, The State of Texas, that you sent for the holidays. It was a very thoughtful gift and one our family will enjoy hanging on the tree every year.

We want to wish you and your family a healthy, happy and prosperous 1998.

Sincerely,

Ken

Bush - Lay intimate letter 7

* Ken Lay to George W. Bush notifying him of an article on globalization and showing great concern for Bush’s ability to read the ‘long’ article.

March 31, 1999

The Honorable George W. Bush
Governor State of Texas
State Capitol, Room 2S.1
Austin, Texas 78701

Dear George:

I quite intentionally do not send you things to read knowing quite well that you probably have much more to read than you have time to read it. But I have made an exception with respect to the attached article by Tom Friedman, which appeared in the New York Times magazine this past Sunday.

I believe Freidman’s article concerning globalization is an excellent overview of most of the major issues concerning international financial markets and trade. Although the article is somewhat longer than it could be and includes some of Friedman’s own biases toward particular safety nets, the overall content makes it well worth spending a few minutes to review.

My very best to you and Laura.

Sincerely,

Ken

Bush - Lay intimate letter 8

* Hand written in near unintelligible script from George W. Bush to Kenneth L. Lay with the word “Personal” underlined at the top of the page.

Personal

Mr. Kenneth L. Lay
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Enron Corporation
P.O. Box 1188
Houston, Texas 77251-1188

4/14/99

Dear Ken –

Thanks for the Freidman Article – I too found it very interesting

All is well

George

Does this sound like correspondence between two men who have no personal relationship?

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