I Was Wrong About Bush

OpinionJournal.com ^ | 09/25/2001 | Gerald Posner

[Fury]

What a difference 10 months make. Last November I broke the unwritten rule that requires journalists to be neutral political observers when I got embroiled in the controversy over the presidential election and publicly supported Al Gore.

It was not just with friends that I passionately argued the election had been stolen and that Mr. Gore would be the better president. I was one of the signatories to the pompously titled "Emergency Committee of Concerned Citizens 2000," which took full-page ads in the New York Times demanding a revote in Palm Beach County, Fla. I wrote op-eds for Salon.com and the New York Daily News. On television talk shows from MSNBC to Fox News's popular "The O'Reilly Factor," I made the case for Mr. Gore. In thousands of e-mails, I urged voters to deluge Clay Roberts, director of Florida's Division of Elections, with appeals for a recount.

[america-rules]

Just FYI..The press is at least a week behind on their reporting so take this anyway you want to !

[Siegfried]

Welcome to the side of logic and common sense, Mr. Posner. But you're on a short leash with us. As you've proven by voting for Bill Clinton twice now, YOU'RE A SUCKER. And it's not likely you will change anytime soon.

How wrong I was. Since the murderous terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Bush has come alive in a way I did not think possible. It was as though the attack on America--which he rightly called an "act of war" from the start--gave him a focus and clarity I had not earlier seen.

G.W. Bush has always been alive and has always had focus and clarity. But you didn't see it. You were too enamoured of the superficial and banal "empathy" message of Gore, and your small brain wouldn't let you understand the power and purpose of candidate Bush.

Conservatism isn't just the "anti-liberal" point of view, Mr. Posner. It's about common sense and normal people deciding the best way to live peacefully together in our free country.

You've still got a lot to learn, Mr. Posner.

[Professional]

These approval ratings may be some sort of set up. A way to keep Bush from using force. As soon as the military fires up, the media will point to falling ratings. Never EVER trust the leftists, especially the ones with the pens.

[MJY1288]

Job for you John, everyone needs to read this

[dano1]

I don't remember reading anything by Mr. Posner before, but apparently his father taught him well. He seems to be an individual of class and integrity.

[MHGinTN]

You asked, Bush has done fine, but what remarkable thing has he done? Other than words. ... Approval ratings through the roof, for what? For one very important thing, this president has told us the truth, been open about the scope of the tragedy and the coming further atrocity potential, and gathered the brain-trust together to get the job designated and then implimented, without retreating into the Oval Office bathroom to soil the damn sink. And there are other things this man has done that make him far and away superior to the appeasement freak/liberal asswipes the democrat party worships.

[Fury]

Thank you for your service to this country and making the commitment you did. It is appreciated!

[moodyskeptic]

Posner. Oh please. Another Convert. This guy apparently wasn't upset, or wasn't awake, while Clinton turned the presidency into a Fellini circus and sold away our future security for campaign money. He only wised up when his prescious personal safety was threatened. After 25 years of unrelenting insults from his pals in the left, he only NOW sees the fallacy of their Utopian Vision.

Too little, too late, Gerald. Your lot was cast and your public took note. You can't change your bet after the horses leave the gates.

[DeckTheHallsHolly]

WOW!

[MJY1288]

You have the entire population of the United States supporting you, and I for one SALUTE you as a GREAT AMERICAN.

May God bless you and watch over you.

MJY

[Octar]

Does Mr. Posner have a screen name yet?

[x]

I must sadly admit that Bill Clinton, for whom I voted twice, could not have delivered that same clear speech last Thursday. His almost compulsive need to please all sides would have prevented him from casting the issues as starkly or as unequivocally.

Worth thinking about.

For me, though, the real question is whether Posner was wrong about the Kennedy and King assassinations.

[woofie]

Does this mean that we dont have to hear "Bush is an idiot" anymore?

[america-rules]

No, thanks to our men and women who are going to die on the other side of the world fighting for the future of my young children. My hat goes off to them and their mothers, fathers, , brothers, sisters and their wifes and children.

If you took a poll though 99% of them would vote for dying for their country and what a way to go out !

[2Jedismom]

No need to tell me! I didn't believe it when Dan Rather was crying those aligator tears. I gave him exhaustion and shock, but when he recovers he'll be right back to being the jackass he is.

And that "Night of the Stars" thing that was on all the networks the other day! GAG. I can still hear Julia Roberts saying something to the effect of "Republican coming between repulsive and repugnant" or some such insulting remark. The minute we start suffering casualties, the unity will most likely fall apart.

I would love to be proven wrong.

[Professional]

Yes, those are important things, but not worthy of the HIGHEST approval ratings in history. I have faith in Bush. He is willing to spend political capital. It's time to do so.

I'd like to see him call the liberal universities to task. Criticize them for their leftist chantings. He should also speak out agains the attempts to keep Americans from flying the flag in OUR schools, fire stations, and corporations. He also needs to quit emphasizing the nonsense PC talk.

[okie01]

"Someone should ping this to every patsie and libertarian."

You're kidding. Right?

They would only take Posner's epiphany as proof they were right...

Oh! Don't forget the Birchers.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Well written....I guess some people need proff before believing

[Aggressive Calvinist]

Not sure if this article proves Posner's ability to change his mind is an act of courage or simply confirmation of a herding tendency.

Alas, I fear I agree with you. They GOTTA be on the winning side.

(Still, it's a wonder!)

[classygreeneyedblonde]

proof....sorry