People Have Eyes: Americans dislike Bush's enemies more than they dislike Bush.

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Thursday, April 22, 2004 | Peggy Noonan

[jcb8199]

I do not know precisely why President Bush's popularity continues high despite a month of the most relentless pounding from partisans, the press, the 9/11 commission and history itself (Fallujah, etc.) No one else knows either. Professionals will read the polls through the prism of their own expertise. Media people will say it's the cumulative effect of Mr. Bush's stirring ads. Those who agree with the president's stand on Iraq will say it's Iraq. Others may argue it's because he put tax cuts at the heart of his economic policy and the economy has begun to rebound. There is probably some truth in all of this. But my guess would be something else.

I think Mr. Bush is admired and liked after three years of war, terror, strife and recession because people have eyes.

They look at him, listen to him, and watch him every day. They can tell that George W. Bush is looking out for America. They can tell he means it. They can see his sincerity. They can tell he is doing his best. They understand his thinking because he tells them his thinking. They think he may be right. They're not sure, but at least they understand his thinking.

They are not shocked that our intelligence system wasn't working very well before 9/11. They would like our intelligence system to be first-rate and the best in the world, and they like to say they expect it to be best in the world. But they also think it comes from Washington, it's government, and so by definition flawed. Mr. Bush has survived not finding of the weapons of mass destruction for two reasons. One is that Americans have come to be sure that Saddam was an unusually bad man and a threat to whatever stability the Mideast enjoys. The other is that Americans believe Mr. Bush himself honestly believed Saddam was a threat. If Bill Clinton, who thought Iraq had WMDs, had invaded Iraq post-9/11 and not found them, he would have been thrown out of office. That's because no one ever believed what Mr. Clinton said, and they wouldn't have believed his explanations. They assumed most of what he did had a cynical and self-serving basis. Mr. Bush doesn't have that problem, because regular people don't think he's a habitual liar. (This is why in presidential elections character trumps everything. It's not some abstraction, it has practical and daily presidential applications.)

Americans do not think Mr. Bush has a persona to dazzle history, they think he is the average American man, but the average American man as they understand the term: straight shooter, hard worker, decent, America-loving, God-loving.

[Oberon]

One of the worst I've ever seen came from the wrong side of the tracks, and stayed there. Bill Clinton had no ethics, no morals, and certainly no leadership.

Yes...and the Clintons were Washington outsiders who have never been truly welcomed by the ruling elite. Tolerated, yes, accepted, yes, but never welcomed. The gulf between Little Rock and Kennebunkport is just too great.

[momincombatboots]

Wow! That was refreshing. Kinda reveals idiots supporting Kerry as the illogical,delusional,one issue wonders they are. She sounded like the true American spirit of God, family & country. I hate to say it, but it's nice to hear from a woman who thinks. Thats why i like my newly found source of awareness here on Free Republic, thank you everyone for your eye- opening examinations. Last year on veterans day in an assembly at my kids Christian private school. Less than a dozen parents and grandparents stood up, i was the only woman. Thank you Lord for the sacrifice of the brave.

[Sam Cree]

The Democrats and the media would like us to think that Bush is a: liar, stupid, radical, and insane, all rolled into one.

He is none of these things, but there are people buying it, I hear it from people I know. I think most of us understand the truth, but I have no doubt that the propaganda campaign is having some effect.

But I hope the blowout prediction is right. It would send a message to the Muslim world, for one thing.

[mtbopfuyn]

Ooooh, a secret society! Did you know Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble are members of the Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo?!? Good grief, get over it. Skull and Bones is just a fraternity just like any Greek lettered boys' club. Nothing more, nothing less. The media went crazy with it simply because it's name sounded satanic and you fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.

[Sam Cree]

the Clintons were Washington outsiders who have never been truly welcomed by the ruling elite.

I don't know, seems to me like the Clintons are still in control of the Democratic Party. They may not be "elite," but they are certainly rulers.

[Sam Cree]

"one was a black...er...African American lady"

That's encouraging, OT.

Good morning!

[Overtaxed]

Morning!

Is it Friday yet?

[Badeye]

I think President Bush continues to receive strong support because he's the Anti Clinton. He is plain spoken, no question "what the meaning of is, is".

I also think the Washington Press Corps did him a huge favor by acting like spoiled children last week. I suspect Americans that watched the press conference felt "Hey, you are acting our President!" and are reacting accordingly.

This is a small example of what will happen if / when we get hit by the terrorists before the coming November elections. We aren't Spain.

[macrahanish #1]

Are you illiterate, or only pretending to be illiterate?

[jcb8199]

"He only kills people like Brown and Foster I guess who have no real power. HAHAHAHAHA! PRICELESS!!!!

[cyncooper]

You think you get it...but you don't.

[Kozak]

One would think the issue would be settled, but no. Kerry continues with the 'hate Bush' campaign.

Kerry is trapped. He dares not back off on the Bush bashing, or he loses his wild eyed activist support. If he continues it, he sickens the moderate voters and drives them to Bush. Lose Lose.

[jcb8199]

So you laugh that we are pro Bush, yet you try to stun us with your intellecually superior "I'd flip a coin."

Interesting...

[Oberon]

You think you get it...but you don't.

That much is implied by the forum format. Aren't we all enamored of our own perspectives?

If you disagree with me, fine...but if you aren't going to tell me specifically why, and make me think about it, you might as well say nothing at all. If you were trying to advise me that not everyone at FR agrees with me, well, thanks, but it ain't news.

[eyespysomething]

The real political dividing line in this country isn't between left and right...it's between top and bottom.

Actually, I think hte real political divide is between small l libertarian conservatives, and RINO's. More than likely, the Dems will have imploded enough after November to become almost a 3rd party in a sense, and we can shift the Republican party over to the right, with a strong helping of liberty thrown in for good measure. The Republican Party will split into 2 parties within 15 years.

[cyncooper]

If you were trying to advise me that not everyone at FR agrees with me, well, thanks, but it ain't news.

Uh, no, that's not what I was "trying" to tell you. But since you don't get it, I am not surprised.

[Oberon]

If you were trying to advise me that not everyone at FR agrees with me, well, thanks, but it ain't news.

Uh, no, that's not what I was "trying" to tell you. But since you don't get it, I am not surprised.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were trying to communicate. My mistake.

[Ready4Freddy]

Dupe article, original post - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1122213/posts

[Ready4Freddy]

Heheheh, actually triple posted - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1122211/posts

[Steve_Seattle]

Deeper in the article, she says regarding Kerry, "[It's] As if Iraq is an issue Kerry feels he has to handle, and not a brutal question we have to solve."

Very perceptive. I have the same feeling about Kerry, that he thinks of Iraq primarily as a campaign issue to be finessed, not as a compelling reality that must be dealt with seriously.