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Will history be kind to Bush?
CNN ^ | June 1, 2012 | Timothy Stanley

Posted on 05/31/2012 6:58:57 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

Bushes humorous return to White House

(CNN) -- Thursday afternoon, Barack Obama presided over the unveiling of George W. Bush's official portrait in the White House, a warm event that reminds us: It feels like years since President Dubya regaled the world with his famous spoonerisms. His retirement has been defined by an awkward silence. While John McCain's endorsement was trumpeted by Mitt Romney, Bush delivered his in just four words. "I'm for Mitt Romney," he shouted to a journalist as an elevator door closed between them. If, just for old time's sake, Bush had said, "I'm for Ritt Momney," it would have been perfect.

Bush's silence may be motivated by the recognition that much of the public doesn't like him. He left office with the worst approval rating for a president since Watergate. But Bush could undergo a renaissance of enthusiasm. Consider the shifting attitudes toward Harry Truman.

When he left the White House in 1952, Truman was blamed for the recession and an ugly war in Korea. His approval rate was just 31%. By 1977, Jimmy Carter was hanging Truman's portrait in the White House and the band Chicago sang, "America needs you, Harry Truman!" The switch came partly because Truman, like Bush, had a gentle, honest personality that voters looked back on with fondness. But Truman also proved prescient in his conduct of the Cold War. Bush, likewise, might seem a better and more farsighted leader in a few years time.

(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush43; bushlegacy; historians; presidents
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To: MinorityRepublican

It depends on whether it’s the Left writing it.


21 posted on 05/31/2012 7:36:52 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("Talent Without Ambition Is Sad - Ambition Without Talent Is Worse")
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To: MinorityRepublican

As long as we visit websites such as CNN and subscribe to the NYT, etc. we should expect no change.


22 posted on 05/31/2012 7:38:43 PM PDT by Huskrrrr ( the will)
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To: rlmorel

Liberals are masters of projection. They have no understanding of morals or honor. I’ll never forget when an MSM reporter asked then Governor Bush this question, 4 days before the election in 2000—”Governor Bush, we have a report of you being arrested for DUI in Kennebunkport in 1977. What do you have to say about this?”The reporter waited smugly, expecting GWB to squirm at his well timed gotcha question, and give some parsing, evasive Clintonian “I didn’t inhale”, answer. Governor Bush said “That story is absolutely true. I’m not proud of it. I used to drink too much, and I drank too much that night, but I haven’t had a drink in 14 years. Next question?” The reporter looked very dejected, because Bush had disarmed him. At that moment, I knew he would make mistakes, but was motivated by doing the right thing.


23 posted on 05/31/2012 7:41:07 PM PDT by Freestate316
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To: cripplecreek
“My history of Bush will be kind but honest, meaning I won’t gloss over some failures that lots of folks get the blame for.”

“A consider him to be a very likable man who really cares about America and has shown an ongoing genuine concern for our troops.”
___________________________________________________

Very well said! My sentiments exactly!

24 posted on 05/31/2012 7:42:17 PM PDT by Artcore
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To: SkyDancer

“W” was a kind and honorable man in a tough job. Then add in 9-11 and a nasty media. He bore it with grace. He did the best he could with what he had. He had smart people around him. How much influence did Dick have over those eight years?

He did mess up some stuff though, just to get along, again as best as he knew how.


25 posted on 05/31/2012 7:43:15 PM PDT by GRRRRR (He'll NEVER be my President, FUBO! Treason is the Reason! Impeach the Kenyan)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Typical CNN B/S.

Nobody in their right mind could think that things would have been better with Scam artist Gore or Traitor-Paper cut-Kerry.


26 posted on 05/31/2012 7:44:15 PM PDT by Gator113 (***YOU GAVE it to Obama. I would have voted for NEWT.~Just livin' life, my way~)
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To: MinorityRepublican

I’m sure GW will be remembered for his statements, “Islam is a religion of peace!” And,”We’ll fight the war, ya’ll go on back to the mall!” But he did have a good heart.


27 posted on 05/31/2012 7:44:34 PM PDT by ImpBill ("America, where are you now?" - Little "r" republican!)
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To: CitizenM

If it had been me I think I would have asked that the portrait be put into storage and unveiled by the next president.


28 posted on 05/31/2012 7:45:44 PM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: Gator113

Hey, that paper cut was nasty! It required mecurichrome and a band-aid! What if it got infected?Purple hearts don’t come easy, you know!


29 posted on 05/31/2012 7:48:59 PM PDT by Freestate316
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To: BwanaNdege

CNN - kinda snide as always and becoming irrelevant but love seeing the Bushes.


30 posted on 05/31/2012 7:50:00 PM PDT by altura
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To: Revolting cat!
It was a Frenchman, whose name escapes me, who said: “Everyone knows the future, nobody remembers the past.”

Hindsight is always 20/20. Not sure who said that....
31 posted on 05/31/2012 7:50:40 PM PDT by Kirkwood (It's not a lie. It's a composite.)
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To: YankeeReb

Bush is not hated. He is incredibly popular. He does mountain bike events for handicapped servicement. He cannot go anyplace in Dallas without receiving a standing O.

People love to see him out at the ballpark with Nolan Ryan.

He’s a genuine nice guy and was a good president.

Just because Obama blames him for everything doesn’t mean we should.


32 posted on 05/31/2012 7:52:48 PM PDT by altura
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To: GRRRRR

>>> and a nasty media

Nasty doesn’t even come close.

They (Libs, take your pick) never forgave the Bush ‘stole’ the presidency bit.


33 posted on 05/31/2012 7:57:01 PM PDT by Sir Napsalot (Pravda + Useful Idiots = CCCP; JournOList + Useful Idiots = DopeyChangey!)
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To: cripplecreek

I’m a bit surprised the current WH occupants or staff didn’t draw Hitler moustaches and fangs on the pic with Sharpies.


34 posted on 05/31/2012 7:57:26 PM PDT by digger48
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To: Freestate316

That is a great example, thanks for posting that. Pretty much says it all, doesn’t it? I can only aspire to be as solid and graceful in that position.


35 posted on 05/31/2012 7:58:47 PM PDT by rlmorel ("The safest road to Hell is the gradual one." Screwtape (C.S. Lewis))
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To: MinorityRepublican
I think Bush is a decent and greatly underestimated man who loves his country and was the leader this nation needed in the weeks following 9/11. He did some good things in the White House. But he also presided over a massive expansion in the size, power and indebtedness of the federal government - Medicare Part D, the TSA and the DHS are just a few of the creations of his administration.

I like and respect Bush as a person. But he isn't a conservative and that along with the failure of conservatives in Congress to resist his worst instincts have helped to put us into the situation we're in now.
36 posted on 05/31/2012 8:09:59 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: altura

“Just because Obama blames him for everything doesn’t mean we should.”

Exactly.


37 posted on 05/31/2012 8:11:25 PM PDT by Gator113 (***YOU GAVE it to Obama. I would have voted for NEWT.~Just livin' life, my way~)
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To: ImpBill
ImpBill, I am sure that some will remember him only for statements like that, including many here on FR. They are welcome to remember him for those statements.

I prefer to remember him for this:

And for this:

But hey. That is just me.

38 posted on 05/31/2012 8:14:04 PM PDT by rlmorel ("The safest road to Hell is the gradual one." Screwtape (C.S. Lewis))
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To: AnotherUnixGeek

I respect and understand your point of view, AnotherUnixGeek.

There is definitely enough blame to go around.


39 posted on 05/31/2012 8:17:16 PM PDT by rlmorel ("The safest road to Hell is the gradual one." Screwtape (C.S. Lewis))
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To: rlmorel
stick up for himself and to let the liberals set the tone and define the rules of discourse

Other Presidents spent a huge portion of their time fighting the media (Nixon & Clinton come to mind).

Bush decided he was going to concentrate his energies on other parts of his job and during his tenure his CIC role was of paramount importance.

I'm glad he didn't squabble with the left which loves to brawl. (A by-product of this BTW is that media viewership went DOWN which is precisely BECAUSE Bush didn't engage like they wanted.) Bush instead concentrated on keeping us safe and did a fine job.

40 posted on 05/31/2012 8:33:11 PM PDT by what's up
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