http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/opinion/18dowd.html
The Long, Lame Goodbye
New York Times, The (NY) - Sunday, January 18, 2009
Author: MAUREEN DOWD
Abstract: Maureen Dowd Op-Ed column contends that it is huge relief to be getting inquisitive, complicated mind in White House; holds that George W Bush decided there was no need to be president of whole country—he could just be president of his base; maintains that Barack Obama is determined to be president of as much of country as possible; says we are trading dogmatic president for one who is shopping for dog , and it feels good (M)
As Barack Obama got to town, one of the first things he did was seek the counsel of past presidents, including George Bush senior.
As W. was leaving town, one of the last things he did was explain why he never sought the counsel of his father on issues that his father knew intimately, like Iraq and Saddam.
When Brit Hume did a joint interview last week with Bush father and son, dubbed “41st guy” and “43rd guy” by W., the Fox anchor asked whether it was true that “there wasn’t a lot of give and take” between them, except on family matters.
“See,” the Oedipally oddball W. replied, “the interesting thing is that a president has got plenty of advisers, but what a president never has is someone who gave him unconditional love.”
He talks about his father, the commander in chief who went to war with Saddam before he did, like a puppy. “You rarely have people,” he said, “who can pick up the phone and say, ‘I love you, son,’ or, ‘Hang in there, son.’ “
(snip)