George Bush, Real Man

Dispatches From The American Front | February 3, 2003 | James Benton

[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.

[Master Zinja]

Comments appreciated.
Zinja

[Tarheel]

Excellent article! The only thing I would add would be the incident, about 3 or 4 months into his administration, with the Chinese jet fighter and the subsequent capture and release of the Navy flight crew.

GWB is beginning to sound like Job.

The Tarheel

[Bahbah]

Can't think of anything to add.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Bump.

[MJY1288]

An excellent Article

[Miss Marple]

Thanks for the ping. You are right..it is an exceellent article.

[Soaring Feather]

Thank you.

[twyn1]

Out of all the things mentioned that he's had to endure -- this is the one that angers me the most -- "Fierce opposition from his political opponents if he does anything more than sneeze"

[McLynnan]

Wonderful article that sums up how I feel about him. He is a man to be trusted, is not driven by ego, and is motivated by a sincere desire to do the right thing.

[Mudboy Slim]

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

[rintense]

This article says it all. Thanks for posting such a wonderful piece.

[McLynnan]

this is the one that angers me the most -- "Fierce opposition from his political opponents if he does anything more than sneeze"

Me too. There is nothing wrong with honest difference of opinion, but the Dems undermine him even when his goals match theirs. The constant demonization of Bush's character and agenda sickens me. This is a time when a small modicum of cooperation and work for the common good of our country should be at the top of the opposition's political agenda.

[smith288]

Out of all the things mentioned that he's had to endure -- this is the one that angers me the most -- "Fierce opposition from his political opponents if he does anything more than sneeze"

And if he didnt sneeze, they would ask why he hasnt and what can be done to mobilize sneezation.

[Mudboy Slim]

"South Shall Rise Again!!
(To be sung to R.E.M.'s "So. Central Rain")

Clinton's gonna fall!! Dem Leftists try to stall...
Their Lib'ral mis-Directions...are driving RATS insane!!
Our Will shan't bend!! Slick Willie washed away...
The Evil of the Lib'rals...has forced Mudboy to sing.

I'm sorry...Slick's sorry...Left's sorry...Right's always...

Justice is our Right...Third Party calls...the RINOs frown...
The wise man wrote his words upon the rocks...
But MUD's not bound to follow suit!!
The Left shall bend...Slick's ConDamnation's Nigh!!
If Slick's Treas'nous Crimes YOU Condone...yer choice isn't mine!!

Slick's sorry...Left's sorry...

Med'yuh never called!! MUD waited for Left's calls...
Left's lies and mis-directions are driving US away!!
Then Limbaugh sang...Left's Brain-washin' washed away...
Left says that I should "Just Move ON!!"...that Choice isn't mine!!

I'm sorry...Slick's sorry...Left's sorry...Justice's RIGHT!!!

Ooooh...Ahhhhh...Ahhhhhhhhh-EEEEE...Ahhhhh-ahhhhhhh-uhhhhh...

{end very intensely on Am}

Heh heh heh...Mudboy Slim (15 January 2002)

[olliemb]

I still think that the defection of Jeffords thru covert deals with the democrats and therefore difficulty in getting his agenda thru a democrat majority also is a load that the president has had to deal with.

[Carolinamom]

GWB is beginning to sound like JOB.

I've had the same thought.

Thanks MZ for posting this excellent "take" on the President.

[happygrl]

For all that, he needs our prayers everyday.

[FreepLady]

George Bush is an EXCELLENT President. It's so funny because, when I think he has done something that I don't agree with, it ends up that he was RIGHT all along and KNEW what he was doing all along! This is a great man!!

[nolaw0ady]

No offense, but that sounded like a letter to Teen Beat magazine lol. Some people just completely idolize politicians, and it's amazing.

[Pippin]

You've said it all!