Posted on 01/20/2005 1:41:28 PM PST by RWR8189
When George W. Bush took the oath of office four years ago, it was as a moderate Republican anxious to get beyond the unpleasantness of Florida and reclaim his reputation for easygoing bipartisanship. His agenda was hardly revolutionary: cutting taxes and improving public education at home, steering clear of nation-building abroad. He came across as easygoing, incurious, not given to hard thought or hard work -- and like his father, unencumbered by "the vision thing."
What Bush did seem to care about was the tenor of public discourse. During the presidential campaign he repeatedly promised to "change the tone in Washington, D.C." He scolded both parties for fueling "a cycle of bitterness, an arms race of anger" and promised to "restore civility and respect to our national politics." He even raised the issue in his inaugural address: "Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment," he said. "It . . . is a way to shared accomplishment."
Then came Sept. 11.
It was always an overstatement to say that 9/11 changed "everything," but it certainly changed Bush.
The man being sworn in today is a radical conservative with an audacious agenda, from overhauling Social Security to overhauling the Middle East. He is deeply polarizing, more loathed by Democrats than any Republican since Richard Nixon and more admired by Republicans than any GOP leader since Ronald Reagan.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
He sums it up well. Americans are, for the most part, an optimistic, forward-looking people. We don't wallow in self-pity and we don't tolerate doomsayers...Bush makes us feel good about ourselves.
Nothing like a moderate journalista to report this commentary.
LOL.
I wish.
Oh, wait. I think I get it now.
Maybe a "radical conservative" is one who is branded a "conservative" by the left but isn't really all that conservative? ;O)
I like Jeff Jacoby, but I think this characterization of Bush, circa 2001, is wrong.
"The man being sworn in today is a radical conservative"
Exactly how is Bush a true conservative?
Amen! The leftist media certainly subscribes to the notion that if you repeatedly beat something in one's head, eventually they will believe it. Fortunately, the majority of the people are too smart to buy into it.
I admire the President, but he's only slightly right-of-center overall, at best.
Radical conservative he is not.
Jacoby USED to be an unflinching reporter from the right. He got '@itch-slapped' by the Boston Glop last year and has been toeing the line ever since. He still wanders to the right but far more often he starts his statements well inside the box defined for plantation - 'house-boys'. His characterization of W circa 2001 is WAY over done. Earlier commentators hit the nail on the head - W's negatives are the result of the still powerful and unrelenting attacks by virtually all the media. BUT the effect is enhanced by the 'Stupid' parties compulsion to let their enemies say anything, accuse and attack Conservatives without response or retaliation. Lott, Newt, McPain,...the list goes on and on - we fail to defend our own (Lott), kiss the ring of our attackers and then reward them (Kennedy). I used to be upset when someone used the term the 'Stupid' party - now I am just resigned at the effort expended to EARN that name.
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