George Bush is not running for president.
Let me rephrase that to make certain everyone is clear on this point…
In November 2008, when you are poised to cast your vote for our next president, you will not be able to vote for (or against) George Bush… he ain’t running for president… his name will not be on the ballot… there is nothing you can do to send him a message… there is no referendum on his presidency… you can’t send him packing, throw the bum out, kick him to the curb, teach him a lesson, make him pay…
George Bush is not running for president.
So why do I get the impression some of the candidates are running against George Bush instead of for president?
The example discussed here earlier is that of Hillary Rodham Clinton (three names and counting) essentially telling us she has no idea how to win the “war” in Iraq, or the war on terror for that matter, and that George Bush needs to wrap things up in Iraq before her coronation. In effect, Hillary Rodham Clinton has already laid the foundation for blaming her failed presidency on George Bush.
Lee Harris in TCSDaily points out that Abraham Lincoln knew he was inheriting a mess from James Buchanan. Would he have been elected president of these United States had he told all of the people some of the time: “Buchanan needs to solve this secession crises; to leave it unresolved for the next president to deal with would be the height of irresponsibility”. Words to inspire.
But Lincoln was not running against Buchanan, nor was there any point in demanding that Buchanan fix everything before the next president took office; it wasn’t going to happen and the next president would still inherit the problem. The only possible reason for demanding that the problem be resolved prior to his leaving office is to establish an excuse for failure in the event that the next president also does not resolve the problem.
What is required of a new president is that they accept responsibility for the path our nation follows from their first day in office, regardless of where that journey begins. If you can not accept that responsibility without a predefined plan to blame your predecessor for your failures in office, then do us a favor and don’t run for president.
Hillary Rodham Clinton would be wise to look at the example set by the man she so often criticizes.
George Bush inherited a country that was in a recession and was about to be attacked by terrorists who had been entering through porous borders for years, an intelligence community that was crippled by liberals who restricted the types of intelligence gathering tactics and strategies that could be used, and an international reputation as a paper tiger that had repeatedly proven to the terrorists that they could kick us without any fear of serious retaliation or (heaven forbid) a preemptive strike.
And yet… I can not recall one instance when George Bush pointed back at Mrs. Clinton’s husband and blamed him for the mess Bush inherited. Instead, whether you agree with the decisions made or not, George Bush led; George Bush became President; he became Commander in Chief.
It is apparent that this current crop of candidates is full of weeds who are hoping to get elected by means of attacking the current president instead of offering a vision of how they will lead… or perhaps I am mistaken. It may very well be that what has been offered is truly an honest view of what we can expect if someone like Hillary Rodham Clinton is elected president: a failed presidency that was someone else’s fault. It worked before (remember the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy?)…
But this is supposed to be about my vote and how to earn it. Here’s a partial list of requirements. (A complete list available upon request. Please include a resume, five references, college transcript, and a self-addressed stamped envelope):
- Explain how you will lead us to victory in Iraq (not retreat) and secure our interests in the region
- Share your plan for preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons
- Similarly, outline your plan for eliminating potential nuclear threats from countries such as North Korea and Venezuela (yes, Venezuela… pay attention)
- Describe your plan for securing our borders
- Tell us your vision for the economic future of America (a society built upon opportunity or a society built upon income redistribution and disincentives to initiative)
- Outline your plan for ensuring access to health care for everyone without leading us down the disastrous path to socialized medical care that provides the same level of care for everyone: poor
That should be a good start, we can chat some more next time.
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