Moonbat hatred of Bush is in someways understandable--see my post on the neosavages. Yet last year, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid came to address a BYU forum, he couldn't help but mar an otherwise excellent speech with a little Bush bashing on the way out.
This wasn't the usual politicking--throwing a little red meat to the far-left faithful to get them to give another five bucks on-line. This was Brigham Young University, where Bush is popular, and when not, at least respected (a very civilized place, BYU...). Reid made the comment because he couldn't help himself, because he was angry at Bush.
I thought of that when I read Bill McGurn's editorial at the Wallstreet Journal today on why the Washington elite hold nearly universal opprobrium for the outgoing President.
It's not because of his failures. To the contrary, Mr. Bush's disfavor in Washington owes more to his greatest success. Simply put, there are those who will never forgive Mr. Bush for not losing a war they had all declared unwinnable.
I had the instant sense that this was correct. You hate what threatens you, and Bush's real threat to the Democrats and other know-it-alls is that he was right, and they were wrong.
Many in Washington have not yet admitted that, even to themselves. Mr. Obama has. We know he has because he has elected to keep Mr. Bush's secretary of defense -- not something you do with a failure.
Whether the morons in Washington like him or not is inconsequential, but Bush's victory in the struggle with radical Islam is not--not by a long shot.
"The Princess Bride" features the following axioms--only slightly tongue-in-cheek.
You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!
Presciently perhaps, Vinzinni drops dead immediately after his chortling.
Bush has dealt the Democrats an anatreptic on the Vietnam mythology--we can win a land war in Asia--we just did. Forevermore, Democrats can't pass the buck on national security issues on the basis that any war is going to end up like Vietnam, and I think that's ultimately the real burr under their saddle.
Mr. Obama seems aware that, at the end of the day, he will not be judged by his predecessor's approval ratings. Instead, he will soon find himself under pressure to measure up to two Bush achievements: a strategic victory in Iraq, and the prevention of another attack on America's home soil.
Bush is like that guy who has the perfect lawn, makes big money, stays in shape and cooks gourmet meals for the family. He raises expectations and complicates everybody's life.
