Secondly, despite my misgivings about former President Clinton, had he been President during this crisis and his security team had diverted him in the same way President Bush's security team diverted him, this forum would have been full of people calling him a coward. Again, neither likely has the authority to say "i demand to return." Clinton was widely criticized when Pennsylvania Avenue was closed during and for the remaineder of his administration. President Bush had not reopenned Penna Ave. and as of today, the security around the White House is even more restrictive. Today's security is probably necessary. But what about last June or March?
I am glad we have President Bush in the White House. I support him and supported him prior to this crisis. But even I was concerned about how his body language came off during his presentations the last couple of days. His stilted speech patterns troubled me. The words were there. Yet the elocution lacked the passion and compassion of the moment I needed. I yearned for the comfort and inspiration Ronald Reagan brought to the cameras in times of trouble and crisis. I'm sorry, President Bush hasn't done that for me.
None of my comments are made because I am unpatriotic. None are made because I am trying to split the American people. None are made because I am trying to aide and abet the enemy. None are made because I don't think that the President cares or is involved or is doing what is right. Honestly, at this time I don't envy the burden he is carrying. I believe he's a good man and a worthy President.
But as I read this, many of my thoughts and concerns were put to paper in this article. I'm glad it appears that he now seems to have found a way to connect. Partisans would have felt that way no matter how well or poorly he has performed.
There has been much unfair criticism of the President and of the events that may have been influential of how this happened. But in my opinion, the most wretched has been mostly from those who are to the right of Bush.......not from the media in general.
Was this articles timing maybe a little out of skew. Maybe. But again, I too was feeling much of what written.