A national poll was recently taken by the Wall Street
Journal and NBC News. They asked the public which president in the past 25
years they most admired. The responses: 42% Bill Clinton, 18% Barack Obama, 17%
George W. Bush, and 16% George H. W. Bush.
I’m surprised with the results. I didn't think Clinton would be the
runaway favorite given the scathing press at the time of his presidency.
Political opponents worked overtime to enmesh him in lawsuits and burden him
with $16 million in legal bills as he left the White House. I’m pleased that
Obama at least made second place. But George W was one point behind him? Tragic.
In my mind George H.W. Bush should have been third. He only
was president for one term but he did a credible job as president. He had my
support for most of his presidency because I felt he had a firm hand on the
international relations portion of his job. His background in the federal
government for a lifetime was impressive. That background was perfect
preparation for the role of President. His only mistake was allowing the
religious right to gain a foothold in republican party operations. That was a
big mistake. And the republicans are paying dearly for it now.
On the other hand George W fumbled his way through eight
years as president and made a horrible mess of it. Our foreign policy is in
shambles and rebuilding. America ’s
international standing is grossly in the dumps. Our economy will take at least
two generations to repair after funding two wars and undergoing two major tax
cuts for the rich and famous.
It takes a nation several years to determine the worth of
specific decisions and policy shifts. Not so for George W. Many knew he made mistakes at the time he made
them. Unfortunately, political manipulators were allowed to maintain a popular
image that was a shimmering mirage. Time catches up with such nonsense,
however. And that time is now, so soon after his presidency ended.
It’s too bad for another reason. Barack Obama is a gifted, intelligent
and caring man. He could have done so much more as President than he has.
Instead he has had to play repairman for the previous president who made a
colossal mess of things. And once we are done fixing that mess, we will have
precious little funding left for the things we could have and should have been
able to do.
Regarding the poll: it was only for the past 25 years. The
four choices the public had to choose among account for the full 25 year
period. I wonder where George W would land on a poll including the past 50
years?
History will settle the question for us, probably long after
we are all gone. But I’d like to think the American people finally get it and
place George W in the dust heap of history!
June 17, 2014
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