by Michael T. Heath

Created on: May 07, 2008

The Unfortunate Success of George W. Bush

There are many adages that could be applied to the personage of George W. Bush: Rising to his level of incompetence; Unabashedly illiterate; You-know-what floats. But these are too trivial a means to convey the qualities behind the real man, and how this thrice-arrested draft dodger could possibly affect the outcome of the 2008 election. He will, however, help determine who the next president will be - mark my words.

A great sense of discontent was manifested in the United States following the 2000 election results. Well, I should say after the US Supreme Court determined the 2000 election results. It was a time when half the country could believe that their votes had been invalidated, and that manipulation by the Republicans in Florida and in Washington D.C. caused the popular vote for one candidate, the current vice president, to be taken away. If we can recall, it was a rancorous time for the new chief executive. Only after the events of 911 would the country put aside our differences and get behind the president. With the reins firmly in his hands he quickly toppled the Taliban in Afghanistan - a feat that the Soviets couldn't accomplish in ten years trying. If he had stopped there (or if he had actually accomplished the mission of capturing Osama Bin Laden) the president would have been golden. Had he brought Bin Laden to justice, he could have done nearly anything he wanted - including an easy re-election in 2004. Bin Laden, no fool, slipped through our fingers and is under a rock somewhere in Pakistan. Mr. Bush squandered his good will by spending it on Iraq, and it will be an albatross around his neck throughout history, as a prime example of how not to be president.

Senator John McCain has had his run-ins with Bush over the years, most notably when McCain deigned to oppose GW for the party nomination in 2000. Ugly, rude and mean - not your ex-wife but the Republican campaign in that year. Dirty tricks were played. And McCain had to step aside, reluctantly. It just wasn't his time. 2008 has become his year, although the party bosses didn't seem to get the memo until after the senator from Arizona had copped a few primaries, and then a few more until he slid on their stage in possession of the delegates needed to win the nomination. The Comeback Kid. John McCain must have some appreciation for the karma which brought him back to this race at this time. It could have been his chance in 2000, but it definitely is his, now.

Where it gets sticky for the Republican front-runner is in the numerous video and audio clips, quotes, and personal actions that McCain has provided us which turn our attention to the fact that McCain and Bush agree on a lot of important matters. While they may not like each other, for obvious reasons, they stand shoulder to shoulder on Iraq, fiscal policy, judicial philosophy and enough other topics to start a new Helium contest. There are wonderful photos, surely to be circulated, showing Bush with his arm around a beaming McCain. The one I like was during the 2000 convention, where a jubilant George W. Bush put a head lock on the shorter rival, much to his consternation. These images, audio interviews and video clips will be replayed for many moons, painting a picture of the two of them aligned. IF I were campaigning against John McCain, I would keep using McCain's own words to make my simple point: George Bush is the worst president this country has ever known - worse than Harding, worse than Taft. and John McCain likes what he stands for so much that he intends to continue most of his policies, if he gets elected. Considering the likely Democratic opponent he will be facing, that is one mighty big if.

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