Name the arms race that we've ever lost.
Posted on 12/15/2001 7:07:48 PM PST by Jean S
A successful leader is a person who has two primary assets. First, he knows where he is going and is going to the right place. He has a vision, a plan, and a set of fixed principles—a North Star—to get himself there. Second, he has the ability to persuade others to follow him. He recruits strong individuals, builds a powerful team, and empowers that team to achieve the vision using their unique, God-given talents and skills.
We have all witnessed George W. Bush emerge as an exceptional world leader when we needed one most. For this he deserves to be Human Events Man of the Year.
1. He unified the country. Just a year ago, America agonized through one of the most divisive elections in our history. Bush won, but narrowly. Many questioned his legitimacy. No more. His handling of the September 11 crisis has been masterful. Principled. Decisive. Tough. Empathetic. Bush quickly figured out where we needed to go, and brilliantly set about to rally the nation, and the world.
He declared America at war. No Carteresque hedging. He vowed to "smoke out" bin Laden and the "evildoers" from their caves and bring them to justice. He quickly linked terrorism with those who harbor terrorists. His performances at the National Cathedral and the joint session of Congress were inspired, as was his trip to Ground Zero to meet with New York’s finest and bravest.
2. He chose a superb Vice President. Dick Cheney was born for this moment. Three decades of experience. Cool under fire. Great on TV. No future political ambitions. But only Bush seemed to get that—instinctively—18 months ago. Thank God.
3. He chose a first-rate national security team. Madeleine Albright, Warren Christopher and Sandy Berger were the keepers of the counter-productive Clinton Doctrine: Do nothing of consequence, but have lots of photo-ops. Clinton and his team had eight years to get bin Laden "dead or alive," but didn’t. They could have avenged the last World Trade Center bombing, but didn’t. They could have truly gone after the Khobar Tower killers, but didn’t. Not so with Bush and his team. The world sleeps better knowing Don Rumsfeld, Condi Rice and Colin Powell are on the job. Now they just need to let Paul Wolfowitz convince them Saddam Hussein should be next in line.
4. He made missile defense a top priority. And stuck to his guns. Bush gets this issue. He knows America is extremely vulnerable to missile attack. And he is relentless about getting it done. It helps that the Air Force tests are finally going well.
5. He is developing an historic relationship with Russia. If Bush didn’t have a sound national security vision, his early schmoozing with—and gushing about—Russian President Vladimir Putin may have been cause for concern. But Bush, impressively, has persuaded Putin to be on our side in the war on terrorism, and to keep an open mind on missile defense. He’s dispatched Commerce Secretary Don Evans to strengthen our economic ties, especially with Russia’s emerging gas and oil industries. He’s also repeatedly praised Putin’s move last year to scrap Moscow’s corruptingly complex tax code in favor of a 13% flat tax. No wonder Russia’s economy is finally beginning to grow at a healthy clip.
6. He has restored honor and dignity to the White House. The man wears a suit and tie in the Oval Office. Always. Enough said.
7. He is open about his faith. One of the truly wonderful things about Bush and his wife is their comfort-level in talking about their faith in Jesus Christ, without setting off alarm bells in people who believe differently. Clearly, faith and prayer are deeply important to this President, and with great results. They have clearly been a wellspring of strength and comfort and compassion for him during this crisis. And in turn the President has helped encourage a stunned and rattled nation to turn its eyes towards the God who loves us and can guide us through the valley of the shadow of death.
Challenge ahead: Bush has mastered the art of war. Now he must master the art of growth. He must publicly and aggressively put Tom Daschle and the Democrats on notice: Pass a bold, sweeping, pro-growth tax cut (including sharp, across-the-board, marginal tax rate cuts; accelerated expensing; and a cut in the capital gains tax rate), or be personally responsible for putting millions of Americans out of work. Expanded unemployment benefits are nice. But people need jobs, not handouts. Vaclav Havel once said: "The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him." George W. Bush is passing with flying colors.
In light of the articles linked to on this page, Orrin Hatch, Lamar Alexander, John Kashic, and yes, even Patrick J. Buchanan himself, you would think that conservatives would rally behind the president, and the cause of Freedom. You would think that after the events of 9/11, and the unsuing tsunami of patriotism, love of flag and country we have been blessed to be witness to, the rank and file of the loyal opposition would take a page out of Pat Buchanan's play book, and praise the man whose shoulders bear the weight of nearly four thousand souls crying for justice from the still smouldering ashes in New York, from the center of military might of the world in DC, and from a field in Pennsylvania.
God Bless President Bush indeed my FRiend, and may HE provide him with wisdom, and insight for a long time to come.
Luis
2. He chose a superb Vice President. Dick Cheney was born for this moment. Three decades of experience. Cool under fire. Great on TV. No future political ambitions. But only Bush seemed to get that—instinctively—18 months ago. Thank God.
Could you imagine Joe Lieberman the whinning jewish princess standing down the taliban---they would have their own channel on cable---sleepovers in the white house...taliban study--dress up days at school---prayer rugs in the senate!
Putin DID compromise on missile defense and arms buildup.
Not so dumb.
Bump.
Name the arms race that we've ever lost.
With the dirty laundry from his family's past (mostly his father's - Clinton/Mena connection, covert mind control conspiracy rumors, leaving Saddam Hussein in power, and I don't know what all), he gets EXTRA credit in the bargain for being able to cover-up or at least side step the issues on all this suspected egregious government involvement of the atrocities that have gone on during the past decade.
I love the guy as far as a true leader and seemingly wonderful person (who is lightyears removed from the inhumane, sociopathic piece of owl Slick Willy who posed as POTUS for eight years.)
It bothers me to no end and I get sick to my stomach to think of what may be true about some of our past presidents and other leaders that Dubya has the responsibility to hide and 'rule around and beyond' pressing on in the name of our U.S.A., now diminished in morality, common sense and sanity.
Kudos for the effort, George. My prayers are still with you.
Get a clue.
I sure agree with that. Why not go for a Senate seat?
Yes I do. And no, I don't think Bush is a god.
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