Really? I think his positions were clear in 2000 when he was running -- which is why I didn't support him back then. He was never really overly conservative.
That said, he was handed a tough hand quite early in his term, and I've supported him ever since.
His defense of the nation was laudable, but what amazes me is after an attack on our country that shocked us so much, he could not keep the country united. We are more divided now, then ever, and he had a lot to do with it by his actions and especially by his inaction. While not minimizing the role of the opposition, he failed to lead the people and allowed the situation to deteriorate.
But, you are also right, unfortunately, that the words he said, in retrospect were in many ways exactly what he did. However, IMHO no one understood (unless they were insiders) that he would so wholeheartedly buy into the illegal immigration issue. Some of his words stated that he would seal the border, and he actively fought against that, and will continue to do so until he leaves office.
That is one reason I cannot support the slate of candidates for the Republicans now, because I am looking at their words very carefully, and they are not what I want in a leader for our country in this time of peril. They are telling me that they are no going to follow a conservative agenda.
What does a moderate get when he compromises for the sake of getting legislation passed? Where is the middle when you start in the middle?
Like most of FR, this thread has been and will continue to be co-opted by a noxious group of Paulites, Buchananites, paleocons, libertarians, ‘tin foil hat’ conspiracy nuts, one-issue purists, BDS sufferers, and leftist/DNC infiltrators — KOS wannabes all!
[Hey Noonan: You and the cabal identified above are as wrong about President George W Bush as you were about Ronald Reagan:
“THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND OF RONALD REAGAN WAS LIKE THE TRENCH WARFARE OF WORLD WAR I: NEVER HAVE SO MANY FOUGHT SO HARD FOR SUCH BARREN TERRAIN” Peggy Noonan]
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THE LEGACY OF PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH IS SECURE:
“All soldiers say MR. PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH IS THE HERO MAN IN THE WORLD,” Abbas told us in fractured English. “He’s fighting on behalf of hte world, not just Iraq. Mr. President Bush is fighting on behalf of humanity. America was the only country in the world that decided to help the people of Iraq. Under Saddam we had a very black future. We had no refrigerators, no electricity. We lived like the cow. Now we have a future.”
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/642xndxj.asp?pg=1
And his accomplishments are many:
THE ESSENTIAL PRESIDENT BUSH
The Anchoress
A much-esteemed, long-neglected friend sent an email this morning, which was delightful to recieve. At one point he mentioned this post from yesterday and wrote: I think (President Bush) has lost his bearings. but then, so did Moses from time to time, it’s quite understandable.
That made me wonder a little - has President Bush lost his bearings, or have we? Is it President Bush who has broken faith with “his base” or have they?
When I read my friend’s line, I thought of a line from Pride and Prejudice, in which Elizabeth Bennett says in new appreciation of Mr. Darcy, “In essentials, I believe, he is very much what he ever was.”
Perhaps I am a dim bulb, but President Bush has never surprised me, and that is probably why I have never felt let down or “betrayed” by him. He is, in essentials, precisely who he has ever been. He did not surprise me when he managed, in August of 2001, to find a morally workable solution in the matter of Embryonic Stem Cells. He did not surprise me when, a month later, he stood on a pile of rubble and lifted a broken city from its knees. When my FDNY friends told me of the enormous consolation and strength he brought to his meetings with grieving families, I was not surprised. When the World Series opened in New York City and the President was invited to throw the first pitch, there was no surprise in his throwing (while wearing body armor) a perfect strike.
Read the entire RANT (including MANY live links) here:
http://theanchoressonline.com/2006/05/22/the-essential-president-bush/
The Anchoress’ link to the President’s ‘rescue’ of his top secret service agent is no longer working . . . You will find a similar videoclip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX3aaWlUmpc
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I plan to enjoy the President’s SOTU with a large group of supporters who recognize George W Bush for the courageous, visionary leader he is . . . If you want to ‘get directions’ to the party, freep mail me.