Bush Joins FDR, Reagan In Landmark Leader Club
From The Chicago Sun-Times
By Thomas Roeser
March 6, 2004
His enemies fault him for many reasons, but of this there is no doubt: With 10 months left in his first term, George W. Bush has already become one … of the most important presidents in U.S. history. He toppled two pro-terrorist regimes, sparing America from further incidents of terrorism; revived the economy, and now leads a defense of traditional values …
Any one of these actions would justify him as a memorable chief executive. … Considered together, Bush's attainments certify that his energetic presidency has landmark significance. …
Not that I have always agreed with Bush, but a president with deep faith in God does what he believes is best, confident the results will bear him out. Others would have delayed the invasion of Iraq, would probably have dickered to gain more international support. Not Bush. He dealt the cards in brilliant poker-playing fashion reminiscent of FDR, first leaking word that he needed no Capitol Hill vote, then going to the U.N. Security Council -- not to seek approval but to serve notice that he would not be held captive by them. Finally, he tossed the hot potato to Congress, with the words, ''I can't imagine an elected member of the United States Senate or House of Representatives saying, 'I think I'm going to wait for the United Nations to make a decision.''' … That is the kind of guts you get when a president is determined to lead, not follow consensus. …
[O]verall, Bush has been superb. James Monroe gave us the doctrine of no foreign intrusion in our hemisphere; Reagan the will to overcome the Soviet Union, and Bush the doctrine of preemption to fight terrorism and the will to go it alone if necessary.
The November election will determine whether he shall continue, or whether our security will be left to a President John Kerry who (a) views anti-terrorism as ''primarily an intelligence and law enforcement operation'' (b) will raise taxes and (c) will surrender in the culture war. Not since Lincoln vs. McClellan has there been a more pivotal choice. I'll take my stand now: Keep Bush.
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