Another serious negative in Bush's ledger. Based on Mr. Gaffney's article, Paulson is a very poor choice despite his probable high competence. Bush has been weak on China, weak on North Korea, weak on Iran, and arguably weak on Iraq, and that's not to mention immigration, racial preferences, Harriet Miers, and some other things. It is a shame that the first Republican president since the Depression to have a Republican Congress has proven to be such a weak leader. We may not get this opportunity again, ever. I think this explains much of the disappointment and anger toward Bush on FReep. It certainly explains much of mine.
Correction: Ike had a just-barely Republican Congress in '53-'54. But he was lame, too -- and he needed the leadership of Robert Taft, who died in mid-'53.