Posted on 08/25/2006 6:24:42 PM PDT by WestTexasWend
Bush-bashing for sport has never lacked fans in the blogosphere, but questioning the president's intelligence lately has gone mainstream. Joe Scarborough, former Republican congressman and host of MSNBC's "Scarborough Country," recently tossed his beanie into the ring, running a 10-minute segment titled: "Is Bush an 'Idiot'?"
Scarborough wasn't calling Bush an idiot, mind you. He was just quoting that renowned American intellectual, Linda Ronstadt. Recently, Ronstadt had commented on the president's performance while attending an international summit of heads of state.
No wait, my mistake, she made those comments to reporters and audiences while touring in Canada. But never mind. When Ronstadt talks, people listen. Citing other leading American intellectuals — The Dixie Chicks, Peter, Paul & Mary and Joan Baez — Ronstadt said:
"I'm embarrassed George Bush is from the United States. ... He's an idiot. He's enormously incompetent on both the domestic and international scenes."
Scarborough said he felt compelled to explore whether the president is intellectually curious. To debate the topic, Scarborough rounded up two commentators — John Fund of The Wall Street Journal and Lawrence O'Donnell, MSNBC senior political analyst. He also provided a video collection of Bushisms in which the president repeatedly trips over his own tongue.
Fund said that Bush is not dumb, just inarticulate, while O'Donnell suggested that Bush is out of his league. They both may be right, but I'd like to submit an alternative explanation for Bush's linguistic deficit.
Language barrier.
This theory occurred to me not long ago at an off-the-record luncheon with Bush and a hundred or so of his supporters. I was the guest of a guest and welcomed the opportunity to observe the president in his natural habitat.
What I witnessed was revealing. Not only was the man fluent in the English language and intellectually agile, he was knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects raised during a 90-minute Q&A. Someone apparently had been slipping intellectual-curiosity tablets into Bush's cola. Toward the end, one of the guests said, "Mr. President, I think if Americans could hear you speak the way you have today, you'd have a 95 percent approval rating."
I think that's almost true. Not 95 percent, obviously, but he'd surely have a higher than 30 percent approval rating were he better able to explain what he's thinking. Bush does know; he just can't seem to say.
The question is why?
My theory dovetails with something one of his most acerbic critics, columnist Molly Ivins, once wrote: "George W. Bush sounds like English is his second language." That's because it's true. "Washington English" is a second language for Bush; "Texas English" is his first.
When he tries to speak Washington English, which is the way Bush thinks presidents are supposed to speak — over-enunciating and sprinkling his comments with awkward aphorisms — he fumbles. He forgets what he's saying because the thoughts and words are not his own. My guess is he over-enunciates to cover his prairie accent, but the effect is, well, sssssstrange.
Tapes of Bush as governor of Texas reveal none of the malapropisms for which he is now infamous. That's because in Texas, he speaks his native tongue.
Anyone who speaks before cameras knows the taste of humility and can relate to the agony of being George Bush.
Even, perhaps, Scarborough, who wrapped up his idiot segment, saying: "And that is a big question, whether George W. Bush has the intellectual curiousness — if that's a word — to continue leading this country."
My dictionary confirms that "curiousness" is a word, though Joe's expression suggested it wasn't the one he meant to use. No worries. Sometimes in the excitement of a moment, even the curiouser and curiouser quite forget how to speak good English.
I wonder who in the DNC is blackmailing Scarborough over the dead intern?
Same here!
Yes, where would we be without such intellectual paragons as Molly Ivans, Linda Ronstadt and Martin Sheen?
We forget Bush not only graduated from Yale but has an M.B.A. from Harvard. One simply CAN'T be stupid and achieve that.
Many people erroneously think one has to speak like Winston Churchill to be a smart politician. Nothing is further from the truth -- many of the greatest statesmen have had only mediocre oratorical skills.
And don't forget Baahbra Stresshand and her consistent typos on her blog. I swear its hilarious.
Poor Linda, what a washed up has been.
I've seen President Bush speak several times in person, one being at my daughter's graduation when she got her Masters.
The thing that most impressed me all those times about our President, is he NEVER sounds rehearsed. His words come from his heart.
Something I'm sure Rondstadt can't understand. Wasn't she married to Jerry Brown after some rock star dumped her? Liberal words are well manicured and paid for by some writer, in the Clinton/Kennedy tradition.
Who really wrote, "Profiles in Courage", Linda? Do some research.
"And that is a big question, whether George W. Bush has the intellectual curiousness — if that's a word — to continue leading this country." "
Screw the "intellectual curiosness" or "intellectual curiosity," Jackass Joe .. he has the electoral votes ... all he NEEDS to continue leading this country.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I have a cousin that lives near Ft. Worth who met GWB while he was Governor at a BBQ in recognition for one of his best fundraisers. Said he was very friendly and interacts really well with a small group. I thank God every day he was elected President in lieu of the ignoramuses Algore or John F'n sKerry.
True enough but if I were King for a day I would grant him the honor of being a Native Son.
What other presidents other than Texans go to BBQ's?
I wasn't born in Texas, and I don't live there now, but I will always be a Texan.
(I did live there from age 1 til age 37 minus a year.)
Damn straight.
Did her previously coke damaged and deviated septum let loose again?
"Love is my nose and you better not pick it"
30+ years.. Yeah, you're always a Texan at heart ;) Sorry you had to leave ;(
This is actually a very good explanation of Bush's biggest failure... his poor communication, both in language and in policy.
What presidents other than Texans even know what a barbecue is?????:-)
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