Posted on 01/06/2009 8:34:31 AM PST by STARWISE
President George W. Bush departs with low approval ratings. Appraisals of presidents sometimes change over time, and sometimes they don’t.
*snip*
No doubt the Internet dervishes will pepper this and other assessments of Bush with their standard displays of anonymous ferocity. There are a lot of 14-year-olds with Internet connections.
But when the Jon Meacham of 150 years from now goes about his task with Bush, that historian will have as much material and more, as did the author of “American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House.”
And the verdict will be nearly the same: Here was an extraordinary and controversial man who accomplished a great deal, lost many battles, stood by his friends sometimes too long and could be stubborn beyond political calculation but who accomplished his most urgent task of protecting the union against its many enemies.
The successful completion of that task is what all great presidents have in common.
Bush’s great legacy is the peaceful transition of power in an age of terror, a legacy made possible by his courage and his resolve to take the battle to our enemies, confront and defeat them wherever they could be found, contain them when they could not be attacked, and demand of the world a seriousness about the threat that remains real and deadly in its intentions.
He has modeled how to act as president in this new media age of virulent venom at home and of fanatical violence and hatred abroad — with detachment toward the former and courage toward the latter.
Count me among the 30 percent, which will soon be 40 percent — and then more than 50 percent much sooner than most of the chattering class can conceive.
Bush is deeply loved and respected in places as diverse as remote villages in Africa and booming tech centers in India and, despite the noise from a left still trying to diminish his character, among tens of millions of Americans grateful for the care he has taken to protect them and their families.
But his greatest admirers will be Americans, and perhaps Afghans, Iraqis, Israelis, Indians and Africans a century or more from now who read about his record and resolve in so many efforts will marvel at his restraint and credit his faith and his family for a remarkable service to freedom.
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Complete article at link
~~PING!
“Some”???
One thing is for sure. Bush will go down in history as an influential and consequential President. Look at how much has happened on his watch vs. Bill Clintons. About all anyone will remember is the mess in Kosovo and his impeachment.
Obama looks to undo everything Bush has accomplished as far as our security goes. He’s already signaled his lack of interest in our foreign intelligence requirements by appointing someone like Panetta to run the CIA.
Dianne Feinstein is so unhappy with this choice that Panetta may not make it through the Senate.
God bless you, President Bush. History will be kinder to you than today's cynics expect.
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