Posted on 09/11/2002 6:44:34 PM PDT by Pokey78
In his speeches yesterday, George W Bush did what he does best: he bolstered American confidence, forced Americans to look forward and reminded Americans of their own strength. What a difference a year makes.
At the beginning of his presidency, Mr Bush seemed to many outside America as a little boy lost. He seemed lacking in decision and understanding. Within three days of September 11, he had the measure of what had happened, as he showed at the memorial service in Washington's National Cathedral.
His mettle was again apparent on September 20, when he addressed the joint session of Congress. "We will direct every resource at our command . . . to the defeat of the global terror network. Every nation now has a decision to make: either you are with us, or you are against us." Americans needed this show of absolute resolve.
Mr Bush had appeared inarticulate, but he has turned his lack of eloquence to his advantage. That his speeches cost him considerable effort somehow makes them more winning. A parallel is George VI: because audiences knew he was a stammerer, they found themselves on his side.
Mr Bush's awkwardness made him more believable than his predecessor, Bill Clinton, with his glib words. If Europeans are struck by the crudity of his demeanour, they fail to realise that it is precisely his homeliness that adds to his appeal for Americans.
Over the past year, Mr Bush has shown himself to be a president for the Americans in the unexpected situation in which they found themselves. In the days after the World Trade Centre's towers fell, America's confidence was devastated; its spirit could have been September 11's greatest casualty.
Imagine what the reactions of Mr Clinton, say, or Al Gore might have been to September 11. Mr Gore's hallmark is caution; his finger-wagging attitude would have been woefully inadequate. Americans felt that Mr Bush was with them, not an external critic. He took America into war in Afghanistan, and the war was won.
Mr Bush's blunt approach came as relief from Mr Clinton's "I feel your pain" approach. Mr Bush did what Mr Clinton would never dare to do: he spoke of good and evil. And, to the embarrassment of British observers, he invokes God. "Our purpose as a nation is firm, yet our wounds are recent and unhealed and lead us to pray," he said last September 14.
To Americans, this seems not embarrassing, but natural and right. After September 11, Mr Bush's approval ratings were the second highest in American history, 88 per cent. Even now, despite some anxiety over war on Iraq, his ratings are 69 per cent - Mr Clinton's all-time high.
Mr Bush's go-it-alone stance and his tough talk have raised European hackles. But his attitude was what Americans needed. Mr Bush is responsible for America's recovery, as Rudolph Giuliani is responsible for New York's. Mr Bush speaks - today as last year - of Americans' future; their resolve, not their wounds. They might not have known it when he was elected, but Americans have found in Mr Bush a great leader.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Lady like too!
So, I hope the Islamofascist Motherf**kers that lit this candle understand that while they may have landed the first shot, God himself will help us see to it that we land the last...
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