a State of the World address by the free worlds leader.
Why We Have Presidents
John L. Perry Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003
The State of the Union address Tuesday was a living illustration of why the Constitution looks to the chief executive, not Congress, for national leadership.
There is no one else, by office or force of personal stature, who can sum up for an entire nation where it stands in the world and where it must go.
That is what George W. Bush did in this address, and did it with sincerity, humanity and force of integrity. It may well have been his finest hour.
State of the World
Beginning with George Washington, some presidents have had a go at addressing Congress on the State of the Union, others not. Only a few have done the job with overriding excellence.
Bush went one giant step further. His was a State of the World address by the free worlds leader.
In the days that follow, there will be a caterwauling of critics who seek to grab some of the spotlight by chipping away at Bushs address here, daubing mud on it there.
The President Sets the Agenda
But in the end it will be the presidents take on how things really are and which direction the compass needle points that prevail, mostly intact.
The first post-State of the Union would-be wrecking ball came from the poor schlump chosen by the Democratic National Committee to make the obligatory rebuttal written for him well before the president spoke.
Bush left that designated fall guy, [59]Washington Gov. Gary Locke, with his political pants down around his ankles.
Lilliputians at Work
Even before other would-be spoilers knew what Bush had to say, he was being lectured by lesser figures who do not share his solitary responsibility for the entire nation, who have nothing to lose if history proves them wrong and are itching to snatch some sliver of political gain if he makes the slightest misstep.
What alternatives they have to offer are not in the nature of what to do instead, but rather not to do anything Bush says.
They prefer to parrot, even elaborate upon, the exaggerations and alarums of Americas dishwater allies, envious rivals and outright enemies.
Same Old Failed Nostrums
In their scramble to discredit, undermine or incapacitate this president in the full view of ungrateful cultures that the American people, in blood and treasure, have repeatedly saved from their own appeasement folly, the pygmies in pursuit of Bush lack the artistry of original criticisms.
How easy it would be for this president to grovel to their wishes, cave to their cowardice. In politics, nothing is usually the easiest thing to do. Its price comes later down the road.
Rejecting that cop-out, Bush told Congress that the course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others.
The Hard Option
This president has chosen the mantle of gutsy leadership, and well it fits him. It wears well with the American people, too.
Bush could never throw the wolves all the meat they can swallow, for with them there is never enough. If he is looking for an oasis along the way, a pit stop at which he can refuel or a platform from which he can take bows, hes in for a huge disappointment. No matter how many times he might stand on his head, they will insist upon more.
The reassuring thing is he clearly knows it well, and will not be gulled.
No to the Rear, March
Once entered upon the perilous road of creative leadership, there is no moon-walking backward.
If not altogether at once, then in the playing out of history, Bush will receive his rewards for having risked the lead.
It would not be surprising if he has already recalled, with fortification, the words of earlier world leaders who have taken the tough road.
The French Redux
In 1782, John Adams, who became the second president, demonstrated the same aversion Bush has rightfully exhibited to kowtowing to the preachments of European wafflers.
Regarding French attempts to tell this new nation how it should conduct its foreign affairs, Adams agreed with the admonition to be honest and grateful to our allies, but to think for ourselves.
He wrote to a friend that he could never agree to whatever the French ministers should advise us to do, and to do nothing without their consent.
You heard the same from Bush these 221 years later.
No Focus Groups
The news-media know-it-alls have been taunting Bush that his popularity in the opinion polls has slipped although any of them would gladly settle for only a fraction of his ratings.
Like Bush, Adams did not place a great store on putting popularity above patriotism.
In 1787, he wrote: A man must be sensible of the errors of the people, and upon his guard against them, and must run the risk of their displeasure sometimes, or he will never do them any good in the long run.
Bush is undeniably in this for the long haul.
Only One Duty
Perhaps the clearest trumpet from the past was sounded by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, addressing the House of Commons in 1941, when the very existence of Britain was in mortal peril from the Nazi threat:
Nothing is more dangerous in wartime than to live in the temperamental atmosphere of a Gallup poll, always feeling ones pulse and taking ones temperature.
There is only one duty, only one safe course, and that is to try to be right and not to fear to do or say what you believe to be right.
Advice From the First George W.
The free world has so far survived because of leaders fit to lead, and why in times of greatest peril the United States has always produced presidents such as George W. Bush.
It would well behoove this 108th Congress to recall the admonition given the first Congress by Americas first president in the first State of the Union address on Jan. 8, 1790:
to secure the blessings which a gracious Providence has placed within our reach will in the course of the present important session call for the cool and deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness and wisdom.
They Knew Even Then
This Congress will have to rise to that challenge. This president has already coolly and deliberately exerted that wisdom, firmness and patriotism.
Which is why the Founding Fathers opted to place the mantle of leadership where they did on the president.
John L. Perry, a prize-winning newspaper editor and writer who served on White House staffs of two presidents,
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