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Americans Appreciate Bush
Townhall.com ^ | May 5, 2011 | Matt Towery

Posted on 05/05/2011 5:18:44 AM PDT by Kaslin

I'm a nonpartisan pollster, but I'm also a columnist with a strong Republican background. So let me be clear right from the start: I believe President Barack Obama and his national security team performed admirably in the near-flawless effort to capture and kill Osama bin Laden.

It's disingenuous and just plain silly for anyone to say otherwise just because the president is a Democrat or because they disagree with his other policies. The snuffing out of the world's top terrorist demonstrated the power and determination of America and its leaders.

A poll we conducted just after the announcement of bin Laden's demise showed a modest upward bump in approval ratings for the president. I expect these numbers to keep inching up over the coming weeks.

But another name has been connected with the Navy SEALs raid in Pakistan, if perhaps in the background -- George W. Bush. He left office with not the best of popularity ratings. But according to the poll just mentioned, Bush, too, is greatly appreciated by the American people for the policies he put in place that led to bin Laden's abrupt end.

In our nationwide survey of 1,735 registered voters, 65 percent of Americans said that Bush's policies contributed to bin Laden's capture. Amazingly, 48 percent of Democrats felt the same. And among all age groups, a majority gave the ex-president his due for the manhunt that ended so successfully last weekend.

To me, it's both interesting and praiseworthy that Obama referenced George Bush in his national address after the killing of bin Laden. The president was also gracious enough to invite Bush to a celebration at Ground Zero. (Bush politely declined.)

The fact is that when momentous events happen, the old cliche about all of us first being Americans becomes true. For once, our partisan views take a back seat.

That doesn't mean Obama hasn't made huge mistakes -- including, in my mind, a stimulus package that only stimulated the nation's debt and the creation of reams more of bureaucratic red tape that have had the net effect of making life more difficult for most of us.

That aside, we now may well be witnessing the maturation of a president. Looking at the photographs in the situation room, as the president and his advisors watched the bin Laden mission in real time on video, one can't help but notice the similarities to John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Here was a president -- maligned by many -- making historic, and historically good, snap decisions.

During all this, somewhere in Texas was the man who endured nearly eight years of fighting against the savage, relentless al-Qaida. While Obama and his team finally breathed relief, George W. Bush likely was receiving word of bin Laden's capture and killing.

I believe that Bush contributed to the massive federal debt that now weighs down America. And sometimes his style of leadership seemed hard to understand.

As readers may recall, Bush got me pretty good when I wrote a column in praise of then-first lady Laura Bush just before Bush left office. A handwritten letter was sent to me. In it, Bush thanked me for complimenting his wife. But he also made it politely clear that, contrary to what I had suggested in the same column, he indeed did read newspaper columns. I mention this because I believe many people have done what I did in that column: underestimate Bush as president.

Who can forget the image of Bush standing atop the rubble of New York's Twin Towers after 9/11? He stood with a fireman, sleeves rolled up, and said in no uncertain terms that those who had perpetrated that evil on America would get what was coming to them.

In an important sense, I view Bush's pointed promise and Obama's resolute fulfillment of it as two bookends in American history. This week, I don't feel like a Republican, a Democrat or an independent. I feel like an American.

Will this capture and killing of bin Laden assure re-election for Obama? Both the polling numbers and my own gut tell me no. Our economy remains weak, and a vast majority of our poll respondents believe that we may yet be the victims of retaliation by our terrorist foes.

But for the moment, we must recognize that Bush and Obama finally got their man. Anyone -- Republican, conservative or anyone else -- who attempts to deny Obama his due credit is only spiking the celebratory champagne with sour grapes.

This week we're all Americans. And two presidents deserve their due.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: binladen; bush; obl; oblisdead; osama; osamabinladen; presidentbush; presidentgeorgewbush
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1 posted on 05/05/2011 5:18:45 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Sorry. Can’t bring myself to praise Zero. Not gonna do it. I give full credit to our military and our intel and that’s as far as I’ll go.


2 posted on 05/05/2011 5:24:32 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Kaslin
I believe President Barack Obama and his national security team performed admirably in the near-flawless effort to capture and kill Osama bin Laden.

I believe the man-child was forced into this action by Peon Patheta.

I believe that Bush contributed to the massive federal debt that now weighs down America.

Well, you're wrong. Bush's contribution amounts to pennies on the dollar compared to what the quisling Soetoro has done.

3 posted on 05/05/2011 5:25:48 AM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (Celebrate Republicans Freed the Slaves Month...April.)
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To: Kaslin
Looking at the photographs in the situation room, as the president and his advisors watched the bin Laden mission in real time on video, one can't help but notice the similarities to John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Now we know why this particular photo was released.

They are trying their best to help this president not look like a baffoon.........didn't work.

Thank you to Bush for sticking to his guns on GITMO and waterbording so we could obtain the intel we needed. Too bad the Paki's caused it to take so long.

4 posted on 05/05/2011 5:27:04 AM PDT by CAluvdubya (GAME ON ......Fight Like a Girl!)
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To: Kaslin

“This week we’re all Americans.”

Two years ago we were instructed by the drooling class that we were all socialists. This sentiment under this administration is worthy of Peggy Noonan.

There is ample justification to be proud of and grateful towards our military and intelligence personnel. That is the truth, and that is sufficient. Don’t spoil it with social and political spam.


5 posted on 05/05/2011 5:34:25 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (Voodoo Republicans - Don't read their lips. Watch their hands.)
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To: Kaslin

OUR MILITARY PERFORMED PERFECTLY... THE BEST IN THE WORLD BY A LONG SHOT. THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THIS INSPITE OF THE ABSOLUTE INCOMPETENCE AND ANTI AMERICAN AGENDA OF THE MARXIST REGIME NOW CONTROLLING AMERICA. FUBO AND ALL THAT ARE IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION. POLITICAL WH0RES ALL!

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

LLS


6 posted on 05/05/2011 5:37:34 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (THANK YOU PRESIDENT BUSH!)
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To: CAluvdubya
Now we know why this particular photo was released.

They are trying their best to help this president not look like a baffoon.........didn't work.

It looks photoshopped to me.

And it makes Obama look like Dukakis in the tank.

7 posted on 05/05/2011 5:40:26 AM PDT by Steely Tom (Obama goes on long after the thrill of Obama is gone)
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To: Steely Tom

It looks odd, to say the least. BO looks to be a smaller man than usual!


8 posted on 05/05/2011 5:45:46 AM PDT by CAluvdubya (GAME ON ......Fight Like a Girl!)
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To: Kaslin

I do not see the death of Ben Laden as a cornerstone for uniting the people at all!.... Bull Crap! Anyone who is united was already that long before this...via 9/11.


9 posted on 05/05/2011 5:49:14 AM PDT by caww
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To: Kaslin
FACEBOOK PAGE TO THANK PRESIDENT BUSH... PLEASE LIKE.

Thank you w

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thank-you-President-George-W-Bush-bin-Laden-is-dead/196008907111023

10 posted on 05/05/2011 5:51:56 AM PDT by true believer forever
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To: Kaslin

.

http://www.drudgereport.com/

WASHINGTON - George W. Bush won’t be at Ground Zero with President Obama Thursday in part because he feels his team is getting short shrift in the decade-long manhunt for Osama Bin Laden.

“[Bush] viewed this as an Obama victory lap,” a highly-placed source told the Daily News Wednesday.


11 posted on 05/05/2011 5:53:52 AM PDT by patriot08 (TEXAS GAL- born and bred and proud of it!)
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To: patriot08
Through the entire long process to hunt and kill Osama, the Liberals, and especially “O” have shown only the most luke warm and grudging support for the search and also for the WOT, generally.

Now, here is “O” ...like the guy watching a drowning man struggling in a lake. When the man finally makes it to shore, “O” is there to help him step onto the bank.
What a guy, thanks tons for all your help, “O”!

12 posted on 05/05/2011 6:03:49 AM PDT by SMARTY (Conforming to non-conformity is conforming just the same.)
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To: Steely Tom

“And it makes Obama look like Dukakis in the tank.”

Good point - but if anything it is worse than that PR stunt gone bad. Dukakis looked like what he was - a civilian nerd out of his element and trying to put a good face on it. Obama was actually -in- what is supposed to be his element, and was clearly the runt of the litter.


13 posted on 05/05/2011 6:06:18 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (Voodoo Republicans - Don't read their lips. Watch their hands.)
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To: patriot08

“WASHINGTON - George W. Bush won’t be at Ground Zero with President Obama Thursday in part because he feels his team is getting short shrift in the decade-long manhunt for Osama Bin Laden.

“[Bush] viewed this as an Obama victory lap,” a highly-placed source told the Daily News Wednesday.”

All true. And Redstate pointed out that Bush probably declined because Zero has a habit of bashing people while they are in attendance and not able to respond-like Paul Ryan and Supreme Court members. Since there’s no guarantee he wouldn’t do the same thing here, Bush did the wise thing and declined.


14 posted on 05/05/2011 6:06:56 AM PDT by lquist1
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I agree with you totally.

The only thing “O” did was to keep the h&ll out of the way and, he didn’t interfere with people who ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

Period.

He made NO OTHER input into the operation.


15 posted on 05/05/2011 6:10:37 AM PDT by SMARTY (Conforming to non-conformity is conforming just the same.)
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To: true believer forever
Allow me to make that a hot link for you ...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thank-you-President-George-W-Bush-bin-Laden-is-dead/196008907111023

16 posted on 05/05/2011 6:37:50 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (Beware the ENEMEDIA ... Never Again! Support our Troops!)
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

Bumping your great post!


17 posted on 05/05/2011 6:40:50 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (Beware the ENEMEDIA ... Never Again! Support our Troops!)
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To: Kaslin
Thank God we no longer have to endure page long titles for former office titles. No more former governor...representative...speaker of the house...senator...president!

George W. Bush … Bush … Bush's … George Bush … Bush … Bush … George W. Bush … Bush … Bush … Bush … Bush … Bush … Bush's … Bush

14 references to the man and NOT ONCE was the word PRESIDENT or even Former President used in this bs article. Then again, the enemedia rarely referred to him as President when he was, indeed the President.

I will remember this if we are ever fortunate enough to rid ourselves of this plague currently residing in the WH.

18 posted on 05/05/2011 6:56:07 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (Beware the ENEMEDIA ... Never Again! Support our Troops!)
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To: Just A Nobody

thanks, that should help a lot :)


19 posted on 05/05/2011 6:56:43 AM PDT by true believer forever
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To: LibLieSlayer
There you go again ...




[quickly becoming one of my favorite posters]

20 posted on 05/05/2011 6:58:26 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (Beware the ENEMEDIA ... Never Again! Support our Troops!)
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