I'm sorry, but I'm a staunch Bush supporter and cringe everytime I see him doing the "ranch" thing. It's just not that convincing to me.
He's a Yale educated, MBA type. A businessman, a former baseball franchise owner. And he's an astute politician. He's the son of a president/CIA Director/Ambassador, for goodness' sake. I understand he's a born-again Christian and I assume a recovering alcohlic. Just doesn't fit the "cowboy" mold to me.
John Wayne and Ronald Regan, now that's a different story!
Be careful how you pigeonhole folks:
Like our President, I attended Yale, though a year behind him, and I too have a master's degree, though in engineering.
I split firewood with an axe better than anyone you've seen, I'd wager; and I learned to shoot and ride on my uncle's ranch near Bandera (Texas, of course!) at age six. I'd also wager I can shoot as well as anyone you've met, and ride better than most.
Being educated doesn't necessarily change your nature.
So according to you, his ranch in a desolate part of TX is a sham? He goes to his ranch to ride his horses (oh yes!) and do the "yard" work around the ranch. Is that all an act? I think not and you are wrong about him! Having lived in the TX desert for a year, I can't imagine going there for R&R, but he does.