No Smile on His Face: (President) Bush is on a great roll

NRO ^ | 2/7/2003 | William F Buckley

[Utah Girl]

George W. Bush is on a great roll. His speech on Thursday combined everything needed at this near-decisive moment. He gave our allies, Congress, and the public exactly that — what was needed. And he engaged in a venture in diplomatic craft that will make its way into the textbooks of the future, in all the languages spoken at the U.N. Security Council.

Here is the open question: What is it that's now expected from the Security Council? And what is it that is needed from the Security Council?

The papers tell of discreet maneuvering by representatives of the great powers. France and Germany are most conspicuous here, France because of its serpentine maneuvers around blatant truths, Germany because it is the most powerful of the European nations. France has the veto, Germany doesn't. China does, and Russia does, but they seem to be preparing for a siesta when a fresh resolution is voted on. The parliamentary threat is that of France.

But what is it that opponents of the Bush policy will focus on?

Here was the president at his shrewdest. In his speech, he recalled that Security Council Resolution 1441 was passed by a unanimous vote, that Saddam Hussein was enjoined to make a full declaration of his weapons program. "He has not done so" — the judgment was Biblical in its directness. And Saddam was enjoined to cooperate fully in disarmament. "He has not done so." What follows from this? "Now the Security Council will show whether its words have any meaning."

Mr. Bush went on to say that the United States would support a supplementary resolution. He did not specify the language of such a resolution. But he was saying, by the structure of his speech, that no new resolution is really required, that 1441 said it all; that the Iraqi regime had been called upon to do things it has not done, leaving it to the enforcers in the world to take the next step.

What the diplomats are apparently going on about is whether a resolution should now be passed specifically to the effect that the Security Council authorizes, and indeed encourages, the use of armed force to effect compliance. Such language sticks in the throat of some members. Cultural interpreters of Germany are saying something to the effect that Germany used up a century's ration of violence not so long ago, and couldn't possibly endorse violence again, even to restrain violence. There are reports from French realists that, when all is said and done, whatever their stand in the United Nations, they will come in with a few thousand troops and perhaps their aircraft carrier.

But the U.S. appears to be taking steps to avoid a parliamentary session the positive conclusion of which is less than certain. And Mr. Bush perfectly contrived to do this by his simple and entirely plausible contention that the resolution already passed — unanimously — as recently as twelve weeks ago — is all that is needed.

Anything more is by way of a piccolo, signaling the military parade to begin. "The game is over," Mr. Bush said.

I have a copy of a private communication. It is written by a close student of rhetoric, and the author writes, "George Bush is a phenomenon: he is the innately nonverbally apt, or deft, speaker who transcends eloquence, [nevertheless] achieving that which is greater in oratory — a plainspoken integrity that unites the emotions and the intellect." Bush replaces, the analyst continues, "mere eloquence with genuine conviction, character, moral courage, and personal goodness."

The writer makes one critical point worth passing on. "Off-putting is that ghost of a smile that haunts his upper lip at inappropriate moments and lingers. It comes sometimes close to the simper that marred the performances of Bill Clinton, residing physically in the way he sets his overhanging upper lip at the ends of phrases."

No smile was intended when George Bush spoke of the consequences of Iraqi defiance, or of the sad derivative obligations of the guardian of the strategic peace.

[Utah Girl]

This bears repeating. "George Bush is a phenomenon: he is the innately nonverbally apt, or deft, speaker who transcends eloquence, [nevertheless] achieving that which is greater in oratory — a plainspoken integrity that unites the emotions and the intellect." Bush replaces, the analyst continues, "mere eloquence with genuine conviction, character, moral courage, and personal goodness."

[spokeshave]

"There are reports from French realists that, when all is said and done, whatever their stand in the United Nations, they will come in with a few thousand troops and perhaps their aircraft carrier.

Pleeaase....not THAT aircraft carrier

[Miss Marple]

Pinging rintense for her list! This is a good article by Mr. Buckley.

[Molly Pitcher]

You are posting some good ones today, Utah girl. Thanks!

[Miss Marple]

I am sick of that darn aircraft carrier, too! They go on and ON about it, like we should be SO IMPRESSED!

Bah!

[canuck_conservative]

Gee, it would be a shame if that aircraft carrier got hit by friendly fire .... with all those cruise missiles flying around, one of them might be programmed with the wrong co-odinates .... oh well, c'est la vie.

[Utah Girl]

Thank National Review, they had some great articles today. :) The Victor Hanson article is excellent also, he talks about the gloom and doom approach of the left.

[Utah Girl]

I especially liked Buckley's comments about President Bush's way of plain speaking. Even though he mixes up his words at times, we always know what he is talking about.

[Miss Marple]

I have noticed he uses a trick of repetitive structure, so that the idea is reinforced. The very first example of this is in his acceptance speech where he repeatedly said "They have not led, we will."

It is very effective. I also have noticed that when he is serious, he uses NO contractions. This is also effective.

Other than that, the power of his speeches come from what Mr. Buckley said, his "genuine conviction, character, moral courage, and personal goodness."

[Utah Girl]

I just find it ironic that x42 is considered to be such a great orator, and yet he never said anything of great substance or anything anyone would care to remember. And the press dumped all over President Bush for his Bushisms, his inarticulateness, etc. I'll take President Bush. :)

[AFCdt]

I am sick of that darn aircraft carrier, too! They go on and ON about it, like we should be SO IMPRESSED!

Well, we only have 12 fully operational, fully capable aircraft carriers. And only two more in the middle of production.

They, on the other hand, are much better equipped. With their undersized reactors, they never have to worry about having too much electrical power on their ONE carrier. And with their patented "Screw Throwing Technology," they won't have any problems delaying deployments to trouble spots. Just break a propellor shaft, and everything's cool.

[ohioWfan]

A rintense' list PING! GOOD ARTICLE!

[pankot]

The Security Council will dither and diddle. USA out of UN, NOW! As for W: Isn't it nice to have an adult in the White House for a change?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Yeah, well.....did you get her permission?

hahahahahahaha

IS ANYONE ELSE'S COMPUTER TOTALLY SPASTIC TODAY???????

[Miss Marple]

Thanks! I forgot you had the ping list, too!

[Inspectorette]

oWf, thank you. For an intellectual such as Bill Buckley to be complimentary to our President says a lot.

[Miss Marple]

President Bush's speeches are powerful and beautiful. His informal statements are great because he speaks from the heart in the language of the common man, instead of trying to impress with his vocabulary.

His speeches will be quoted in the history books for a very, very long time.

[Utah Girl]

Nope, just yours. :)

[ffusco]

Screw propeler ejection system or SPES will soon be fitted on DeGuall's sister ship ,The Richelieu.

[ffusco]

Translation: We are halting OEF to pose with America in the persian Gulf.