Bush the Winner: Why History Will Judge the Prez a Clear Success [New York Post]

New York Post ^ | July 22, 2007 | William Kristol

[Right-Wing Champion]

*This can be found on the first page of the Opinion section of today's New York Post*

BUSH THE WINNER

Why History Will Judge the Prez a Clear Success by William Kristol

July 22, 2007 -- I SUPPOSE I'll merely expose myself to harmless ridicule if I make the following assertion: George W. Bush's presidency will probably be a successful one.

Let's step back from the unnecessary mistakes and the self-inflicted wounds that have characterized the Bush administration. Let's look at the broad forest rather than the often unlovely trees. What do we see? First, no second terrorist attack on U.S. soil - not something we could have taken for granted. Second, a strong economy - also something that wasn't inevitable.

And third, and most important, a war in Iraq that has been very difficult, but where - despite some confusion engendered this month by an almost meaningless "benchmark" report - we now seem to be on course to a successful outcome.

The economy first: After the bursting of the dot-com bubble, followed by the attacks of 9/11, we've had more than five years of steady growth, low unemployment and a stock market recovery. Did this just happen? No. Bush pushed through the tax cuts of 2001 and especially 2003 by arguing that they would produce growth. His opponents predicted dire consequences. But the president was overwhelmingly right.

Even the budget deficit, the most universally criticized consequence of the tax cuts, is coming down and is lower than it was when the 2003 supply-side tax cuts were passed.

Bush has also (on the whole) resisted domestic protectionist pressures (remember the Democratic presidential candidates in 2004 complaining about outsourcing?), thereby helping sustain global economic growth.

Continued at http://www.nypost.com/seven/07222007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/bush_the_winner_opedcolumnists_william_kristol.htm?page=1

[Right-Wing Champion]

It's about time that this has been proclaimed for ALL to read and understand. Bill Kristol is at his best here.

This is more or less why I am with Bush 100% until the very end.

[samtheman]

For all of Bush’s faults — and he has many, and they are glaring — he does understand that his number one job is to protect us from the Jihadists who want to kill us all.

[processing please hold]

Enjoy the ride.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Kristol started shouting this a week ago:

Why Bush Will Be A Winner

[D-fendr]

Good points. On WOT, taxes, stem cell/sanctity of life, court appointments, economy, Bush gets high marks.

Also high marks for effort on social security reform.

I agree, overall, this constitutes a “success”.

The lowest marks I give him are for increases in prescription/medicate and in communication and leadership - he’s just not good at this.

thanks for the post..

[goldstategop]

I don't agree with Bush on immigration but I do agree he's far preferable to John F. Kerry, whose first term would have been an unmitigated disaster.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Biblebelter]

I am upset with Bush for establishing the Kennedy wing of the Republican Party. That said I trust what Bush does more than anything this dweeb Bwilly Kristol or his colleague Fweddie Barnes writes or says. There is much to be said in Bush’s favor, I will welcome the day when someone other than the Weekly Standard points out Bush’s successes.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Bush started getting attacked by the left the evening Gore lost his home state and the election. It hasn’t let up in six years.

With a Republican congress, Bush should have gotten so much more accomplished. Unfortunately the RINO’s in the congress were more concerned with their reelection bids and wallets then with the direction of this country.

Bush made some bad decisions which were intended to placate those in the middle. He also did things to benefit seniors and children at the expense of his Conservative base.

In the end we got two Constructionist justices which will take care of most social issues at the national level while the people take care of it at the local level. We have taken the war to the terrorists and we have a top notch economy.

In my eyes that’s a winning hand.

[Faith]

This is more or less why I am with Bush 100% until the very end.

I'm with you on this. He was still the best choice. His stubborn refusal to give up in Iraq has likely saved our nation and theirs. The lowered deficit and upbeat economy have been icing on the cake. In addition, the newest Supreme Court members will be a blessing for years to come.

[Red Dog #1]

We had to wait many years for President Reagan to receive even a small amount of vindication in the MSM.

[knarf]

A couple of good Supreme court judges.

[counterpunch]

Welcome back to the fold, Bill Kristol.

[freekitty]

That’s why he is allowing them to come through Texas, Arizona and California.

[Biblebelter]

A couple of good Supreme court judge

I agree neither appointment seems to be the disappointment attached to a Sandra Day O'Connor or a David Souter. That said, if Bush had his way it could have been Harriet Miers which leads to one of Bush's failures. Why didn't his advisors see what those that elected him saw and that was Harriet Miers was not a first rate CONSERVATIVE appointment but someone who got where she got by being a sychophant? The conservative base had to throw a hissy fit to get those two judges who seem to be the real conservative deal and in the end gives Bush a claim to a conservative legacy which cannot be claimed by Teddy Kennedy's No Child Left Behind or Prescription Drugs or Amnesty.

[c-b 1]

For all of Bush’s faults — and he has many, and they are glaring — he does understand that his number one job is to protect us from the Jihadists who want to kill us all.

If he understands his job is to protect us from the Jihadists who want to kill us, why does he continue to allow them to sneak across the border at will. His absolute refusal to control the border should tell us that he is not all that serious about winning the war on terror.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Praise GOD that...
President BUSH has promised...

Freedom’s return to:

Communist Vietnam
Communist North Korea
Communist Cuba

..as well as..

Freedom’s arrival to:

All the countries of the Middle East

...as America’s own best sefl-protection against future terrrorist attacks here at home.

.

All this while sending us permanently back to Earth’s Moon and then on to the Planet MARS.

Bringing those still living here in the 7th Century AD along for the ride.

.

[Mobile Vulgus]

I think bill is more or less correct, here. Domestic failures are rarely remembered much during an era of intense international troubles. I think, since the War on Terror IS the Bush legacy, he will be viewed as a courageous and prescient president. But we’ll have to wait 50 years before that begins to occur in historical writing, most likely.

[backtothestreets]

Kristol forgot to add President Bush is doing the job real AMERICANS won’t do ... giving away the nation!

[kabar]

he does understand that his number one job is to protect us from the Jihadists who want to kill us all.

Why hasn't he secured the border and established a system to track and deport visa overstays?

March 30, 2006 -- FBI's Mueller: Hezbollah Busted in Mexican Smuggling Operation