Posted on 02/03/2003 5:17:39 AM PST by Master Zinja
DISPATCHES FROM THE AMERICAN FRONT
George Bush, Real Man
By James Benton
You could see it in his eyes, hear it in his tone Tuesday night in the second half of his State of the Union speech: this was a man not to be trifled with, a man who would see a difficult, dirty business through to the end, and God help anyone who stood against him as he does battle against the foes of America and her ideals. If anyone had doubts about Bush's commitment to victory in the War on Terrorism, they were laid to rest Tuesday night.
Rarely in history has an American president faced as much adversity as George W. Bush has in his first two years in office. Probably only Washington, Lincoln and FDR have had as tough a time as Bush, becoming president during tumultuous, difficult times, having so much happen so quickly.
Washington had to forge a nation; Lincoln had to fight a war; FDR battled the Depression from Day 1. However, Bush has probably had the worst time of all since taking office.
For those of you keeping score at home, so far President Bush has endured:
-An incredibly close election whose outcome was delayed for over a month,
-The first attack by a foreign power on the continental United States in nearly 200 years,
-A world war which may not be won before he leaves office,
-More terrorism at home with anthrax,
-A teetering economy,
-Fierce opposition from his political opponents if he does anything more than sneeze,
-The destruction of Columbia on Saturday and the loss of seven more heroes.
And that's just the highlights of his first two years in office, with Iraq and North Korea on the horizon and God knows what else still to come.
Yet, with all this going on, two indisputable facts have surfaced about the man in the Oval Office.
First, this is a man we in middle America have always identified with and trusted. We know his word is his bond. He's not perfect, he might not always be right, but we instinctively know he makes his decisions based on what he believes is best for the American people. If America were a small town, Bill Clinton would be the used car salesman everyone but newcomers and idiots avoided; George W. Bush would be the owner of the general store who also happened to be mayor, chewing the fat with the locals around the wood stove on Saturday mornings and helping them to get things done that needed doing.
Second, this is a sincere, pious man, which is also the underlying reason for the first point. George W. Bush demonstrates a quiet yet confident faith in the Creator, which governs his everyday life and decisions. We have seen it all too often in his eyes in the past 18 months - there is real pain there, real tears when things have gone truly bad, tears shed not for himself but for those of us who are suffering emotional or physical pain. Again, if we saw America as a small town, George would be in church on Sundays and would try to close up early on Wednesdays to get to church then also. He'd be one of the first on the phone to you when a family member died, and no doubt Laura would be by soon with a covered dish and just the right words of comfort.
In short, this is a real man, and it's been too long since such a person - such a family - has graced the White House. After eight years of scandal and a me-first attitude, Bush & Company have restored many American's respect for the office of president far fast than anyone believed possible. Respect may not wipe away the tears of tragedies and war, but it's a start at helping to keep us from total despair. God only knows what we would be feeling or how much confidence we'd have that everything will turn out all right if Clinton or Gore were at the helm; the mere thought gives me nightmares.
I would say I hope George W. Bush stays the course no matter what he faces, but that would be merely stating the obvious. He will. We instinctively know this, those of us who work a real job, worried about mortgages and kids. We know this, because at heart he's one of us, a working man, doing his best for all of us.
A real man. Thank God.
Yes, another good catch. Let's also consider the rare circumstance of the party in power gaining seats in a midterm election.
Translated for liberal lurkers: The ass-kicking that you endured in 2002, masterminded by W!
What???!!! Royal family? NO! (Unless you're thinking of the Kennedys...at least they THOUGHT/sill THINK they're royal.) And since you brought it up, I'll go out on a limb to predict another Bush in the White House...JEB. How's that for the monarchy!
Perhaps President Bush would be one of the greatest American Presidents ever, even better than Ronald Reagan. I just think that may happen.
If America were a small town, Bill Clinton would be the used car salesman everyone but newcomers and idiots avoided; George W. Bush would be the owner of the general store who also happened to be mayor, chewing the fat with the locals around the wood stove on Saturday mornings and helping them to get things done that needed doing.
This just might be the best description of the differences between the two that I have ever read.
I totally agree.
God is Sovereign.....in control of all that goes on in this world, and He has promised that He won't allow His children to suffer more than they can bear.
He obviously has a great deal of confidence in George W. Bush, just as He did in Job.
How I thank God for this President!
Maybe. And have you been watching George P (Jeb's son, and a Hispanic at that)? He's young, but he's learning from some good folk. I wouldn't be surprised if he one day occupied the WH.
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