Peggy Noonan: The President Within

Opinion Journal ^ | 11/16/2001 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

He walked into history an obscure, flat footed, bantamy little fellow in a light gray suit, the inhabitant of an eloquence-free zone who gave boring speeches in a flat voice. He was not compelling. This was more obvious because he followed a charismatic leader who did big things and filled the screen. He was quickly defined and dismissed by the opinion elite as "a first-rate second-rate man." And maybe at the beginning he feared the appraisal was correct, for when he became president he said very frankly that he felt the moon and the stars had fallen upon him.

[ChemistCat]

What the HECK are you talking about?

[ohioWfan]

Only one problem with this. At 6', 190 pounds, the President can hardly be described as "bantamy," unless "small, aggressive and spirited" becomes just "aggressive and spirited." :o)
That he is!! (and cute too!!)

[St.Chuck]

I can't help wonder why Ms. Noonan is obsessed with lionizing Pres. Bush. Surely it is not unreasonable to think it quite premature to canonize the man.

I am beginning to wonder if Ms. Noonan has a Dubya lunchbox.

[Sabertooth]

Written by Peggy Noonan, and it's NOT a girl thing! Translation: please read the entire essay!

Is it OK if I looked at her picture first?

And after?

[AfghanAirShow]

"Yesterday we tasted steak and listened to music and did all of this to increase the understanding between peoples," said Mr. Putin. He especially liked the barbecue: "When I asked the president he said, 'Indeed this cannot be done except for in Texas.' "

World peace through BBQ... gotta luv it! It's amazing what some slow-smoked brisket can do, huh?

[ohioWfan]

I am beginning to wonder if Ms. Noonan has a Dubya lunchbox.

I can think of several thousand people who'll buy one. Do you know who sells them?? :o)

[Republic]

I have to tell ya ChemistCat, that your comments above touched me greatly. What a wonderful tribute to our President, our First Lady and Peggy Noonan. I hope Peggy lurks here now and then, because your words would surely delight her. And as for the liberals vs our President, I could not agree more-but I do love it that they have to search so desparately to find even teeny, tiny, miniscule, unweighty, irrelevant, itsy, bitsy, criticisms of President Bush. I mean-so far they have not had to worry about President Bush selling tech secrets to China for kickbacks of $$ via, the Loral Corp-you know-BIG THINGS like that which impact our nation.

They are exposing themselves at such an alarming rate to the masses that, heck, it may not ever matter that they dispise President Bush so much; pretty soon no one is going to pay any attention to um, period.

[onyx]

Of course! I should have anticipated a comment like that from YOU!

[onyx]

Forgot to take your anti-clymer meds again? Double the dose!

[Benoit Baldwin]

What the HECK are you talking about?

Reality.

[BushMeister]

No man personally responsible for the death of a single human being was, is, or ever shall be, a great man.

Dumbest thing I've ever heard. And a pathetic attempt at sounding *profound*

Oooooohhhhhh...

[Republic]

What's the problem with early 'lionization'. You think greatness has a time table? Like, four years, six years, perhaps only one year, or whatever? Let's get outside the box here, St. Chuck, and learn to face reality squarely. It might not be PC, but it provides GREAT inner peace. President Bush is already a Great President! He will make some blunders, of course, but then, who doesn't? But I bet when he DOES, he will take responsibility, real responsibility, not just bite his lip and blame someone else, the standard MO of billy klinton.

[Sabertooth]

I should have anticipated a comment like that from YOU!

Seemed to me you were asking for it... again.

[BigWaveBetty]

I wanna Dubya lunchbox too!!

[ohioWfan]

I wanna Dubya lunchbox too!!

It should have a nice picture of Dubya in a cowboy hat and jeans on the side of it.
It would be just like the Lone Ranger one I used to have!! :o)

[whoever]

FYI, this is a most interesting read.

[BigWaveBetty]

Thank you kindly for the ping! :-)

I have decided President George W. Bush will be the GREATEST president EVER!! Once a stickler for good grammar, now I don't give a hoot and just laugh at those who continue to fuss or make fun of our president. Although, if he ever uses hisself I'll have to write him a letter. I'm sure that will never happen. :-)

[SmartBlonde]

I bought some copies of Peggy's Reagan book today to give to clients as Christmas presents. The salesman at Borders was not happy - which made me VERY HAPPY!!!!

[St.Chuck]

What's the problem with early "lionization" ?

The problem lies in the enormous power that man wields. Too much of the wrong kind of support could weaken the balance of power as proscribed by the constitution. Also, it is healthier if the electorate maintain a certain skepticism toward its leaders. I couldn't imagine Hitler or Stalin getting any better press than the kind Ms. Noonan pens.

[whoever]

What about a man who prevented the deaths of millions? Would he be a great man in your eyes? Pres. Truman did that.