George W. was savaged in the media, both nationally and internationally, like nothing I’d ever seen before. Even if you believe what you do is for the country’s good, you know it had to hurt his soul seeing so many millions of people making a national passtime of publicly expressing their hate for you.
I often wonder how he got out of bed in the morning. I wonder how he could bear giving interviews to completely biased reporters without telling them where to go. Both George W. and Jeb have grown up immersed in politics since childhood. Therefore their tolerance level for political B.S. is going to be much higher than the average office holder. It’s almost like growing up in show business, the way Ronnie Howard did. Or being raised as part of a Royal Family. I can’t blame W. for staying out of it. Nixon went through a pariah period also after leaving office.
“...Therefore their tolerance level for political B.S. is going to be much higher than the average office holder...”
There is a certain point where, in defense of yourself and in defense of what you love and hold dear, it becomes necessary to speak up and speak out against what is going on.
I had many political differences with W; that being said, I never - EVER - thought the man had anything but love, the deepest respect, and reverence for this Country, his office, and the traditions and culture that created and shaped us as a Nation and as a People.
The same can’t be said of this current critter.
One of my criticisms of W was that he DIDN’T face down the detractors - he let himself be savaged (as you said - and that is an appropriate term for it). While yes, it does speak to the classiness of the man that he didn’t talk smack back at them, still, there is a point where you need to defend yourself and your accomplishments.
History might be kinder to him; especially in retrospect of what came after him.
But we are here NOW, the Country and our People are being savaged by this admin, and I believe he should rise to the occasion and step up forcefully - like Cheney is doing.
Just my .02.