You know, I do think Bush was blinded by his own 'goodness' here.
He surely knew Clinton's reputation; and think that in even the wildest of his ruminations re the 'Clinton sleeze factor'; could the gentle/refined Bush imagine a 'President Clinton'. Believe that Bush assumed that Clinton was 'over-reaching'; and that America could/would see; what so many already knew.
Of course, by the time the realization of Clinton succeeding had set in; it was too late. . .
GW can have no such illusions about the nature of our enemy or the kind of battle that he must be engaged. (A few lost rounds with Kennedy, should have been enough of a wake-up call for Bush - but still; he wears the soft gloves). I hope behind the scenes,there is more than meets our eye here.
That said. . .you hit the nail on the head perfectly:
"winning recipe for Bush: add a dollop of New York street fighter..."
And yes, it is not simply a choice; but a duty required. . .
click on the apple.
Bush 1 knew.
But his warning about clinton and national security was too oblique, too genteel.
He should have said, it was his DUTY to say: "This aberration is a danger to our national security."