This is a political thread, IMO, not a place to uncritically admire anyone, and any viewpoint which is justified should be explored.
I liked what Bush did in his first term a lot. He did fine leading the nation after 9/11, was on top of things, communicated well, reached out to people. He was in a word what we expect from a leader.
I think any objective observer, regardless of political persuasion, will tell you that he is not the same President who lead the nation during his first term. This may be due to the lame duck syndrome or to other considerations, I don't know.
Since the election, he has failed to hit the road to communicate his vision about Social Security, Iraq, the economy, war on terror, you name it, including my personal issue, Katrina, on which he made a speech, then dumped us. He seems holed up in the WH like some remote king who shows up only when absolutely necessary.
This is not the way to lead the country.
Feltman hit the syndrome on the head of the nail, and that is why I posted his piece. This failure of engagement has hurt him and the GOP politically--just look at the polls. There are zero initiatives coming out of the WH this term as he seems to have given up on SS reform, the only major initiative he backed. He sacked Mike Brown, the FEMA idiot, but hasn't replaced him. As a result, FEMA does not have an appointed capable leader and is foundering. Let's hope the nation does not suffer some other calamity any time soon.
Perhaps the Libby thing has weakened him, or all the GOP congressional scandals, or the "Bush lied about Iraq" BS, or the increased difficulties in Iraq, I don't know, but the fact of the matter is that he seems weak and disengaged. If it is Iraq, he needs to make trips, speaking engagements, throughout the nation to vigorously show why it is that the Dems are wrong and how we are making progress. He has not done this, despite having the best bully pulpit in the world, thus giving the Dems the golden opportunity of setting the national political agenda. He is simply not acting as a good politician should. And I don't know why. Something is happening personally with him, but I certainly can't figure it out.
No President can risk the perception that he is floundering take hold, but that is what is happening, IMO. He has given the Dems the chance to make lots of political capital, and they have. I don't like this a bit. |
