MUST READ . . .
OBAMA’S MINIONS ARE INGRATES
The Bush administration did leave a plan for Afghanistan.
by Stephen F. Hayes
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/017/120ekabc.asp?pg=1
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THE POST-GRACIOUS PRESIDENT
Whenever he must make a difficult decision, Mr. Obama complains it’s Bush’s fault.
By WILLIAM MCGURN
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704335904574497780846099654.html
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LAURA BUSH: WOMEN ARE AGENTS OF CHANGE
Key quote from Orrin Hatch:
“In 30 years I’m the longest serving person on the Senate Intelligence Committee. We never talk about that, but I’m fully aware of the sacrifices, and the tough decisions, the really tough decisions, that George W Bush made for all of us,” Hatch said. “In 30 years, when those materials are declassified, people in this country will realize what a terrific president he was.”
http://kcpw.org/blog/local-news/2009-10-27/laura-bush-women-are-agents-of-change/
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INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER
‘Obama Is Average’
Key part of interview:
SPIEGEL: At the end of Bush’s second term, he granted you a long interview. Afterwards, you wrote that history would judge Bush kindly. Why?
Krauthammer: Basically I think Bush will have the same historical rehabilitation that Harry Truman did.
SPIEGEL: And why is that?
Krauthammer: Truman left in the middle of an unpopular war, to use your phrase, a war of choice. Truman didn’t have to go into South Korea. And he was reviled and ridiculed for the stalemate that resulted. Now, he’s seen as one of the great presidents of the 20th century.
I think Bush actually handled the Iraq War better than Truman handled the Korean War. For one thing, the number of losses is about one-tenth. Secondly, he made the right decision with the surge. Thirdly, if Iraq turns out well, meaning becomes a country fairly self-sufficient and fairly friendly to the West, it will have a more important effect on the West than having a non-communist South Korea. The Middle East is strategically a far more important region.
Bush’s worst mistake was the conduct of the Iraq war in the middle years — 2004-2006 — and the attempt to win on the cheap, with a light footprint.
On the other hand, I think he did exactly the right thing after 9/11. Look at the Patriot Act, which revolutionized how we deal with domestic terrorism, passed within six weeks of 9/11 in the fury of the moment. Testimony to how well Bush got it right is that Democrats, who now control Congress and had been highly critical of it, are now after eight years reauthorizing it with almost no significant changes.
Afghanistan is more problematic. Our success in overthrowing the Taliban in 100 days was remarkable. It’s one of the great military achievements of all time. On the other hand, holding Afghanistan is a lot harder than taking it, and to this day we are not sure how to do it. But the initial success in 2001-2002 did decimate and scatter al-Qaida. It is no accident that we have not suffered a second attack — something no one who lived in Washington on Sept. 11 thought possible.
I’m sure he will be rehabilitated in the long term.
Clare Booth Luce once said that every president is remembered for one thing, and that’s what Bush will be remembered for. He kept us safe.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,656501,00.html
Amen to what Orrin Hatch said! GW Bush will be vindicated!
Then the quote from Hatch:
We never talk about that, but I’m fully aware of the sacrifices, and the tough decisions, the really tough decisions, that George W Bush made for all of us,” Hatch said.
WOW -- wish they had all been this supporting and outspoken when President Bush was still in office and could have used the support.
Thanks for the ping and the great articles.
Could someone, anyone, please tell me exactly what the problem was with the "conduct of the Iraq war" everyone keeps referring to? Was that the phrase McCain coined to harass President Bush with?
My understanding has always been that the light footprint was a huge success. Perhaps I am misremembering.
I LOVE this title (and the column!).
Krauthammer is, once again, amazing. Thank you for posting this interview. I am so glad that he is willing to write and speak out on television--because of his physical limitations it must be difficult to do so--but we need him now and I am glad he is with us.
Dana Perino was on "Brian and the Judge" this morning. I love listening to her--she is so articulate, smart, and she loves President Bush. :) I think there will be a podcast of her time on the show at the above link (it might be there in a day or two). Their podcast is apparently for subscribers, but they put up the first segment each day (which she was) for free.
One question they asked her was about reports today that BHO has had many big contributors at the WH for visits. Some donor was given access to the WH bowling alley for a family event. Dana said that she never got to see the WH bowling alley.
One reason I love listening to her comments is that she is great about pointing out difference in the two administrations. :)