Peggy Noonan- 2001: A Bush Odyssey

Opinion Journal ^ | 01/04/2002 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

One year ago he stood before us, right hand raised, a new president chosen by a shade less than half the American adults who are responsible enough to bother to vote. He had been certain of victory and shocked by the closeness and the Florida aftermath. The weekend before the polls opened, Al Gore strained for every vote; George Bush went home early, making the almost fatal decision of responding with what seemed wan disinterest to a well-wired last minute revelation of a drunk driving incident in his past.

[Pokey78]

Ping for the PNPL! If you were left off the recreated list or want to be on it, leave a note here or FReepmail me.

[Pokey78]

I can't believe I left you off! hehe

[Tex-Con-Man]

Please add me...I do love this woman.

[Pokey78]

Done.

[Penny1]

ping for later reading....

[thnx243dignity]

Great article, I've said this before, but it's worth repeating,

What the world has seen is what many of us already knew, we have a leader that has risen to the occasion and has shown the overwhelming majority of us and the rest of the world that he has what it takes to lead this country when leadership is so desperately needed. World leaders who met him in Genoa Italy were very impressed, Vladimir Putin changed his tune once he met him, and now that the entire world can see his ability to lead this country and demand that freedom loving leaders of the world follow this country as we rid the planet of these evil terrorist who poison the minds of their children and deny people of basic human rights and dignity.

George W. Bush has been the leader we always knew he would be and in the last 11 months he has fulfilled almost every promise he made during his campaign and he has done it without using the bully pulpit or dirty politics, and considering the tactics from the true illegitimate leader Tom Daschle and his ilk, he has done it with civility and dignity, and I for one salute this man as probably one of the best Presidents we will ever see. George W. Bush is my Commander in Chief and he will lead in the "Calling of our time" and in his father's words "He will do it with honor and dignity". I look back at how far we were divided after the 2000 election and it is hard to believe how much things have changed. We now can listen to the President without wondering if we should be parsing his words, we now have a first couple who love and support each other, we now have an administration who is serving the nation and not the President, we now have a country united and not divided. When you think of it! Is this not what he promised us?

God Bless George W. Bush and his lovely Wife

[Badray]

Thanks for the ping. Another winner from Peggy.

[JulieRNR21]

Noonan has got it exactly right.....Mr. Clinton spent all his time thinking about his legacy, and by the end he had one: He was the president who spent his time thinking about his legacy while Osama made his plans. He wasted history's time. Mr. Bush isn't like this. Be grateful.

That's why I thank God every day for GWB.

[shattered]

Please add me to the list also. Thanks!

I love how Peggy's contempt for Clinton shines through in everything she writes. She really doesn't even need to mention his name - it is obvious.

[MJY1288]

You gotta love Peggy Noonan, She really knows how to expose the qualities of George W. Bush. The fact is, he has done very very well for a first year President, I challenge anyone to find me a President in our history that has done this well this early in his term.

[woofie]

Good one

[Pokey78]

Added.

[connectthedots]

put me on the list.

[MJY1288]

ping for a good read

[Positive]

Mz. Peggy is obviously a verbalist. So when she says that... "Mr. Bush continues to prove that he is not eloquent..." I am brought to pause, because my dictionary says that "eloquent" means "characterized by persuasive, powerful discourse."

I say that Mr. Bush lives up to the definition of "eloquent" .

[Pokey78]

You're there.

[kayak]

I like the way he talks because I understand it. Bill Clinton was always issuing great smoggy clouds whose meaning I could not fully decipher. Mr. Bush gives you arrows of speech that have a target. It's good.

So true. Bush's language isn't flowery ..... but you sure as heck know what he said when he finishes .... and I like that ... a LOT!!!

It really doesn't leave a lot of room for the Dumbocrats to spin ..... just exactly how can you misinterpet a statement like "OBL: Wanted - Dead or Alive!"?

[Right_in_Virginia]

Who among us doesn't wish we could say what Peggy Noonan says...in the way she says it?

Peggy Noonan's essays are poignant...they touch our heart and soul.

Thank you, Peggy Noonan. May God bless and keep safe not only you,..... but also the American people you believe in and the President you trust.

[DoughtyOne]

While I think Bush has done some good things, most notably the war on terrism effort, I still think it's a mistake to make broad stroke comments on his greatness this early in the game.

Most of what this article states is true. Much of it's impact can change in the twinkling of an eye. I don't begrudge Bush success. The nation is better off for that success.

I am thankful that Bush's demeanor is so much different than Clinton's. However, I'd rather make certain observations regarding his past year and forgo the predictions for the future. We have seen what can happen to a 90% approval rating.

Bush's full impact will not be known until he has been out of office for a few years. Even then his administration will not stand the test of time until a decade or more has passed. I still feel that Clinton's legacy could blow up sky high. If it can and may even after his administration is over, I think it's best to wait some time before writing glowing reports of Bushes overall impact on history.