The Next Open Thread: Bush Presidency Meets Low Expectations

by DemFromCT

From the Gore debates to his actual Presidencyship performance, George W Bush has been the master of low expectations. While everyone else vaults the hurdle, W steps over the line. His handlers have instilled this so deeply in the press that it's amazing to see it thrown back in George's face. Check the subheader on the WaPo web page in italics:

Bush's Asia Trip Meets Low Expectations

A politically weakened Bush returns from Asia with no real breakthroughs of any sort.

As Bush wrapped up his stay in Beijing on Sunday and prepared to head home Monday after a brief stop in Mongolia, the trip has produced no real breakthroughs of any sort. On a wide variety of issues, from trade to security to human rights, Bush won no concrete agreements from any of his summit partners.

White House officials said that did not mean the trip was unsuccessful, because they never expected to bring home any major agreements in the first place.

George W Bush's Presidency is living up to my expectations because I never expected him to do any better than he's doing now. Therefore, by definition, it's been a successful Presidency.

A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin. - HL Mencken

This is an open thread.

Comments

[DemFromCT]

Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. ~Author Unknown

[DemFromCT]

The problem with political jokes is they get elected. ~Henry Cate, VII

[p.lukasiak]

From what I understand, Bush's wife Laura, who works in the White House, set up this trip. People in the State Department and CIA knew that nothing of consequence would come of it -- it was just a boondoggle.

[DemFromCT]

since it's an open thread, via Kurtz:

"As I listened to it, I could feel the ground shift. Murtha, as you know, is not a Pelosi-style Chardonnay Democrat; he's a crusty retired career Marine who reminds me of the kinds of beer-slugging Democrats we used to have before the cultural left took over the party . . . .From where I sit, conservatives would be fools not to take this man seriously.

"My prediction: we've already started to see this, but I think Republicans are about to crumble. Pressure is going to mount on the White House to use the December elections as an excuse to declare victory and go home, fueled by equal parts disgust over Dick Cheney's lobbying for the right to torture; unease even among Republicans that the president wasn't honest during the marketing of the war; lack of progress on the ground in Iraq; Congress reasserting its independence of the executive; a genuine belief that the American presence has become counterproductive; and raw electoral fear, what with midterm elections looming in less than a year.

"I also think the Rove/Cheney/Bush counterattack is going to backfire. Congressional Republicans are looking for cover right now, and I don't think they believe that a ferocious partisan attack from the White House is what they need right now. The public is looking for answers, not administration attack dogs on the evening news every day, but this particular White House doesn't know any other way. It's going to cost them."

The source? Dreher at NRO.

[joejoejoe]

From the Times UK:
"Comparing the history of Mongolia, the home of Genghis Khan, to America, Mr Bush paid a warm tribute to the country's military prowess and its deployment of 120 soldiers to fight in the war in Iraq."

And so it goes.

[DemFromCT]

We have, I fear, confused power with greatness. ~Stewart Udall

[emptypockets]

From Krugman:

Some administration officials accused Mr. Murtha of undermining the troops and giving comfort to the enemy. But that sort of thing no longer works, now that the administration has lost the public's trust.

For some of us who could never fathom trusting Bush, it has been hard to grasp the sea change that the loss of trust marks. But, like dark matter (or, if you prefer, angels) we may not feel it but we can measure its effects. The swift boating of Murtha failed. Would it have succeeded ten months ago?

[joejoejoe]

Go check out the Yahoo News photos of Bush in Mongolia. They are hysterical. And no wonder he identifies with Genghis Khan:

"There were two people in his life who Genghis Khan held in fear and awe, his mother, and his wife Borte. Women were powerful figures among the Mongols, and he regularly consulted with them even on military matters. (from Wikipedia)"

[illotus]

Jim Bob Baker (the original "Hammer" back when Tommy was still in the hot tub) has had his bags packed for months. Getting closer and closer to time for Poppy to step in and bail the boy out, yet again. Because really, who else in the party wants to even try? And The Dynasty must endure.

[Zendoman]

Since you had low expectations for Bush's performance, YOU have been successful, by definion, at gauging his performance, but that has nothing to do with the success of his presidency. It has been an unmitigated disaster by any definition that you care to apply.

[DemFromCT]

That it has, Zendoman. That it has.

[DemFromCT]

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it. ~Clarence Darrow

[LindyH]

What do you know of the Sinclair Broadcast Group?

[DemFromCT]

Sinclair Broadcast Group? Too much. They are a right wing-leaning group that were boycotted for their anti-Kerry propaganda.

Here's as good a summary as any.

[LindyH]

Thanks for the link.

I just found this too. Thanks.

[DemFromCT]

here's much more from Media matters.