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Everything’s Coming Up Bush’s

From Iraq to taxes, a bedraggled Bush is blooming. Not that anyone would notice. Almost anyone. Former Bush-Cheney minion Ron Christie at The Hill:

On the domestic front, the tax cuts the president pushed through the Congress have led to remarkable economic growth, low unemployment and record-high tax receipts that members of Congress can hardly wait to spend. New data released last week showed that America added 94,000 jobs in November 2007 — capping a remarkable 51 straight months in which jobs have been created in our economy. Despite partisan claims that the economy is soft, more than 8.3 million jobs have been created since August 2003 and unemployment remains low (4.7 percent). America remains open for business.

More Americans have more money in their savings accounts and in their wallets as a result of the Bush tax cuts. Despite talk on Capitol Hill of rolling back the president’s tax cuts that “benefit only the wealthy” Democrats have been loath to pass legislation and return to their districts to explain why raising taxes and eliminating the popular $500 per child tax credit is good public policy. Not going to happen anytime soon.

…

Absent from media coverage of late is the fact that the central government of Iraq has reached its 2007 budget revenue target of $30.2 billion. This figure is derived from oil revenues — revenues of which the Democrats have criticized the Iraqis and President Bush for not capturing to fund the cost of the new government in Baghdad. This criticism now rings hollow.

…

Political stability long thought to be an elusive dream is becoming a daily reality across Iraq. From the surge in Iraq, vindication with his stem cell position and strong economic development on the home front, President George W. Bush has hit his stride and is surging rather than limping into his last year in office. For those who have counted him out, the president remains resolute, perhaps comfortable in the knowledge that history, rather than bitter partisans in Washington, will favorably reflect on his two terms in office for waging an effective war against terrorism while demonstrating capable stewardship and remarkable domestic accomplishments during a time of war.

Meanwhile, at Pajamas, that shameless warmonger Crittenden on the New Bi-Partisanship:

It is beginning to look like George Bush may be a uniter, not a divider, after all.

It’s not that the loyal opposition doesn’t have to be dragged kicking and screaming. But the Bush-bashers of the world are slowly being brought into the fold, recognizing the common interest … or at least, for now, beginning to arrive at common ends in their own interest.

In war, we know, the ends so often do justify the means, so who’s to quibble about why impeachment proceedings are not going ahead; why alleged U.S. “torture” just became a non-issue; why the Democratic leadership in Congress is ready to fund the U.S. troops fighting terrorism and trying to build a free nation in Iraq; and why, belatedly, said leadership and other critics are acknowledging that the Bush counter-insurgency strategy there is in fact working?

Perhaps it is better simply to appreciate that these things are happening.

I’m sorry. I’m getting ahead of myself. These are strange and heady times, after all.

Who is this Crittenden, anyway?  Probably a Rove plant.

About that Bush, he could sprout dahlias from odd places and not get credit for it, but in the end, it will be results that matter.  On the pressing issue of the day, after all the trauma of war, the much-heralded mistakes, it will be the recovery that his successor must choose to squander or build upon.  

Welcome, Punditeers, Small Dead Animals, etal, always so good to see you!  Come on in. Tase line forms at right. If this is a post-war election, someone definitely could use a tasing. Uh Oh. Waterboarding, Allah-approved. So who doesn’t want justice for Bilal?

Topics: Bush

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 7:26 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

9 Responses to “Everything’s Coming Up Bush’s”

1. Bart Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 9:30 am

   While the fair weather crowd cut and ran, I have been steadfast and proud to maintain that GW is the best president of my lifetime, and that stretches back to the Eisenhower administration. His Lincolnesque, quiet confidence and overall decency in the face of virulent and vitriolic opposition have been inspirational and comforting through extremely trying times. His tenure has been a welcome respite from the self-absorbed nightmare of the Clinton years, when the nation drifted in a chimeric bubble of post-Cold War security and potemkin prosperity. Thank you, Mr. Bush.

2. tanstaafl Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 11:11 am

   Well (tho’ I’m not a fan of polls)…

   In last weeks’ Gallup Poll, GWB garners 37% approval while Congress comes in at 22%.

3. RightWingNutter Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 12:12 pm

   I agree with all the stuff you mention, but….

   I recall him at Crawford saying “The more I get to know President Putin” he said, “the more I get to see his heart and soul …the more I know we can work together in a positive way”

   I hope W has become less confident in his ability to see into hearts and souls.

4. tanstaafl Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 12:25 pm

   I also hope GWB has re-evaluated looking into “Pootie Poo’s” eyes and seeing his soul.

   PP has reverted to KGB mentality, if he ever actually moved away from it in the first place.

   Which is doubtful.

5. Jack is Back Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 12:43 pm

   I like W and his resolve after 9/11 but his stand on immigration and relations with Mexico, in particular are very disturbing. He also comes across most times as too likeable when with other leaders of questionable repute (i.e. Chavez, Abbas). He doesn’t like to take on the left-wing leanings and agendas of the WH press corp. which he should do in my opinion. He doesn’t take on the slanted views of the Dems on the economy, the war on terror, FISA, etc. He sort of sticks to his talking points instead of slamming theirs at the same time. You would think that as a lame duck he would be more of a fighter of his profile in history not a wimp.

6. TallDave Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 1:23 pm

   Let’s not go overboard. Putin’s an illiberal thug, but the Soviets killed tens of millions.

   Putin is popular for a reason; he has brought stability, economic growth, and a semblance of pride to the country. And he did step down to PM, rather than trying to pass legislation making him President for life like Hugo Chavez.

   Eventually his party will lose an election. That will be the acid test.

7. Michael Lonie Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 1:27 pm

   There are a number of things about Dubya I don’t like, in particular his spendthrift ways of government and his immigration ideas. But on the war and taxes he has been excellent, and I have supported him for those issues.

   The problem with Bush, his weakness that makes him a less than ideal war President, is that he lacks the ruthlessness necessary for the job. The Duke of Alba (d. 1582) said, out of bitter personal experience, “Kings use men like oranges. They squeeze out the juice and throw away the rind.” So must Presidents, it comes with the job. The great Presidents all had that streak of ruthlessness in them. Bush doesn’t have it. That is why he kept Tenet around three years after 9/11 and why he did not change commanders and strategies in Iraq until so late. It makes him a more amiable person, but a less effective war leader.

   Now another problem has arisen. This adminstration is exhausted. It has been worn down by seven years of blind partisan attacks and the strain of fighting a real war at the same time. This is why we see the Conventional Wisdom of the foreign policy elites running the show now, except in Iraq and Afghanistan (and we may well see them there soon too). The Bush Administration no longer has the energy to think anew or fight for anything except clinging grimly to the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns until they are won or Dubya goes back to Crawford, when they will be someone else’s problem. Meanwhile the State Department and CIA have taken the lead on all other matters, and their poisonous CW, especially that of stabbing our friends and helping our enemies, is now on display.

   Bush will not be remembered as a great President, but he will be remembered as one who fought the good fight, and who had the courage to do far-sighted things when they were necessary. And he probably will be remembered as a much more ethical President than his predecessor, and quite possibly than his successor, a refreshing interlude of good character between two cynical opportunists.

8. Soccerdad Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 2:51 pm

   The Christie article along with the recent Michael Barone and Commentary articles might be harbingers of the way W will be viewed in the future. I don’t think that these positive trends will affect how he’s portrayed now, but they might have an effect on the election.

9. saltydog Says:
   December 12th, 2007 at 6:54 pm

   I agree with everything Michael Lonie said above, and since he said it so well (as usual), I’ll leave it at that.

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