[Plutarch]

President Bush far from some sort of lackey to the Wall Street Journal's editorial page. He believed in steel tariffs...

Indeed, Bush enacted steel tariffs, in a craven attempt to purchase swing state electoral votes. He is also for ethanol subsidies, in another free trade WSJ apostasy. Overall, Bush hews to WSJ free trade/open borders to the extent that political expediency allows. Bush' s border gestures such as the National Guard deployment are analogous to the steel tariff, that is a minor transgression providing political cover to an overall theme of WSJesque free trade/open borders.

[mjolnir]

Indeed, Bush enacted steel tariffs, in a craven attempt to purchase swing state electoral votes.

Craven? Sure, if you're jaded enough to not see that President Bush is someone who says what he means, means what he says and stands on principle. President Bush does largely agree with the Wall Street Journal on free trade, as does virtually every conservative. He also differs with them on borders-- thus the National Guard providing support.

A cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Based on your words and that definition, you appear to be a cynic with regard to President Bush.