I really don't think that President Bush should have controlled the election process, do you? What do you suggest he might have done to keep Democrats from crossing over to vote for McCain? What would have been an appropriate action, short of something illegal, or some form of abuse of power, that would have had any effect?
Just for the record, President Bush IS my hero, and I make no apology for that. But one thing that my admiration and respect has done over the years, is kept me from being swept away by the emotions of many on this forum, kept me from the Bush blaming groupthink that I've seen so much of here, and kept me accutely aware of what the man was really doing, vs what was reported that he had done. I think that gives me more insight into the facts of the situation, and shouldn't necessarily lead to the derision (that you have willingly offered).
As far as "absolving him of all responsibility" let me clarify that for you. I agree that his characteristic humility and lack of self-defense has contributed to his negative poll numbers. Where I disagree with many of you, is in thinking that humility and lack of self-defense are flaws in his character.
In other words, yes, his relative (not total, by any means) lack of self-defense against his rabid accusers, factored into his low approval numbers. But, no, in historical perspective, he is not wrong in not wasting his time to defend himself. The numbers will change over time as the truth is revealed, and the fact that he didn't think it was his responsibility to correct the errors while he was actively working to protect America, is not something I consider to be a flaw.
Where I disagree with many of you, is in thinking that humility and lack of self-defense are flaws in his character
"Humility." Humility is a virtue. It is not humility to allow political enemies to ride roughshod over your supporters; to ruin your policy initiatives. That is weakness. And, IMHO that was a flaw in the man we admire..
"Lack of Self Defense," has left us in the former President's party with a weak defense against sweeping changes that threaten to inundate us with government edicts and economic policies that could end our way of life. And, IMHO, that was a flaw in the man we admire.
kept me accutely aware of what the man was really doing, vs what was reported that he had done.
Why do you feel unique in that ability? Many of knew precisely what he had done, only to watch while he sat silent when it was mis-reported, misinterpreted. Again, that exposes his supporters to "derision," a feeling of which you seem acutely aware.
His deafness to calls for to more effective control of the border, for example, exposed his supporters to derision as "racists," and worse.
I really don't think that President Bush should have controlled the election process, do you? What do you suggest he might have done to keep Democrats from crossing over to vote for McCain? What would have been an appropriate action, short of something illegal, or some form of abuse of power, that would have had any effect?
Of course he could not "control the process." What he could have easily done is taken part in it, as was his duty as head of the party. I agree fully with you that as time passes, his standing as a good President will be established. But, his immediate legacy is before us on the TV screen, Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., in all his marxist glory.
I want you to personally know, that during his Presidency, I did not "join in the chorus" of unhappiness with George W. Bush, rather I tended to defend him, even as you do now. Furthermore, I wouldn't dream of discussing this openly with members of the Democrat party, although I suppose this forum is an open book to them.
Now that he is out of office, and we in the GOP are left with the wreckage, it is not IMHO, the time for reticence. I don't propose that we disown him, just be aware of his mistakes in order to build upon them. Above all, we shouldn't waste our time in defending W in those areas where he did little to defend us against profligate spending, against illegal immigration, against a Democrat Congress that made his last term a disaster.
He kept us safe. That is the overriding success story of his 8 years. But he did not have the political leadership abilities and communication skills necessary to assure handing over the power of his office to someone who would continue with that basic need. In short, while you continue to loyally defend him, a virtue on your part, he did not fully return the favor.