Rehabilitation of George W. Bush Has Begun
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Not surprisingly, only those very close to Bush, such as his wife, and Secretary of State Condolezza Rice are getting much visibility declaring that his presidency was not a failure.
It’s a sign of how far he has to go that the question is not how powerful is his legacy, rather how much did he fail.
Condi (we are close personal friends, aren’t you 
make the indisputable case that how he will be judged will be in the fullness of time, rather than with emotional, perhaps even biased views today. The same has happened with other presidents, Nixon (who enjoyed some partial rehab), Bill Clinton (who remains popular despite a number of items including most recently perhaps helping to lose the 2008 election of his wife). Harry Truman comes to mind.
One of the most interesting rehabilitations happened with Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. He was not the featured speaker that day, and reportedly he was almost not invited to speak in the planning for the consecration of that famous Civil War Battlefield because planners feared his reputation as a speaker who droned on and on and was not very interesting.
Then when he finished his short address to a nearly silent crowd, he was dejected by that response. I wonder what would he, or his audience would think today, as that speech has been elevated to one of the memorable addresses in US history.
This is not to say that every Bushism will make it into Miriam Websters anytime soon, although it might not be wise to bet against one or two of them actually achieving that status some day, after all it ain’t impossible.
And that is the point. And my only point worth remembering despite the upcoming “change” I welcome.
Comment by benhed on 15 January 2009:
I will remember George for his unwillingness to break what he felt right to satisfy either party.I will remember Bush keeping my country safe. I will remember Bush saying “freedom is a gift from our creator & the right of every man,woman & child”. I will remember Bush telling the U.N. how it was going to be. I will remember Bush showing up in Iraq on Christmas & serving the troops dinner (do you remember the soldiers faces?) I will remember Bush for strengthening & praising our military but,most of all I will remember the times I saw tears come from the man when he talked about 911 & soldiers & military families or the victims of Katrina. Bush is a man who loves his country & for that I love him back. I hope our next president has 1/2 the passion & testicular fortitude as Bush!
Comment by Proletarian on 17 February 2009:
All presidents have their goods and bads, history seems to remember them all. People on the other hand, only remember what is dearest to them. If you are a peace activist, with no concern for justice or recourse, you wouldn’t like Bush. If you are an austere Christian you wouldn’t like Bill Clinton. Or if you were a devout capitalist, FDR or Obama wouldn’t do it for you. The point is, we are in a society that views things short term. You know, what have you done for me lately.
Every president has done something good for the country, that’s why they were elected. Bush’s legacy will be two fold. He kept us safe for seven years since 911 and he was stalwart, desisive and unwavering in character. Whether right or wrong he didn’t waffle like so many politicians do. The popular view for a politician is to waver like maple leaves wafting in a gentle breeze.
I’m not a big Bush fan, neither daddy Bush or junior, but Junior had one thing over daddy. He stood steadfast on his decisions. As a matter of fact, in that catagory he stands next to JFK.
The real problem lies with us, the American public. We’re spoiled, ignorant and easily led. During the entire ‘08 election process, from the primaries to election day, I went to forums, town hall meetings, et al. You know what I found? For the most part people were ill-informed. They voted on emotion, or personal interest. Not what our President would really do for the country or the world.
Why do you think politicians pander and use demagoguery? Because it works!