(1) In extemporaneous settings, Bush commonly lacks the ability to articulate a coherent line of thought in defense of his policies. This often leaves him seeming to be a dullard unable to cope with the demands of his office. Bush's weakness as a salesman extends to the virtues of his party and its philosophy.
(2) Bush has a tendency to clown around in public in ways that diminish his stature as President. Recall, for example, the butt bumps at the West Point graduation ceremony. Can you imagine any other President doing that?
(3) Bush's passive personality and dislike of confrontation has often left his administration mired in unresolved feuds and conflicts. this has had devastating consequences in Iraq and is contrary to the “energy in the executive” that is essential to the Presidency.
(4) Bush has a weak staff and a tendency toward cronyism and misplaced loyalty to faltering appointees. The inept and unqualified Gonzales as AG and Brown at FEMA are but two examples among many. Presidents do not have the luxury of treating their appointees and staff as their pals but must ruthlessly pitch them overboard as needed.
(5) Bush failed to check the excesses of the Republican Congress in spending and ethics issues. Bickering with Congress and vetoing bad things is part of the President's job, even when Congress is of his own party.
(6) Bush has an appalling attachment to bad policies like lax immigration and unrestrained domestic spending. I surmise that if a bad idea lodges in his head, he will pursue it to the point of self-destruction. Both policies were against public sentiment and his and his party's interests. And,
(7) Bush gives all appearances of being lazy as to his duties in office: more vacation days than any other President; sitting in Crawford as New Orleans was drowned and suffering a faltering rescue and recovery effort; and inert as the US Army was failing in Iraq. I wish that Bush had devoted himself to his duties as much as his exercise regimen.
In sum, Bush combines many of the faults of Warren Harding, Jimmy Carter, and James Buchanan (without the buggery).
Comments?
Man, did you hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately every point you made was absolutely true.
That left a mark.