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alansmithee · 08-31-2005, 10:02 AM

I'm slightly pro-Bush. When I frist heard about him as a potential presidential candidate, I thought he was pretty much an idiot who was being put into office by a political machine. This was my opinion up until 2002 or so, when I saw the vehement opposition he recieved by the left, and I started seeing that much of what he was criticized for were things I agreed with. I disagree with much of his economic policy, however which makes for only lukewarm support. As for personal opinion of him, I really don't have one. He seems to be a politician (much more than I first thought) which almost necessitates him being somewhat phony. And honestly, I don't really care much about whether or not I like him personally, because it's not relevant to the job of being president. But I think much of his cowboy persona is affected, because just as it turns off many people, it also makes many more identify with his down-to-earthness. And as for him lying/misleading, I don't think it's nearly as prevalent as many think, and even so I have no problem if he (or another President) does if they truly have the nation's best interest in mind. And as for lying to the rest of the world, I really don't care about them whatsoever. As long as the US is still the richest and most powerful nation, they will still take our cash and like it. They can rationalize it to themselves how they are subservient/dependant upon a country of people who are: more ignorant, unhealthier, lazier, less cultured, etc.

Also, as for him having the power to do good and allowing the presidency to become weak, I attribute that largely to others. I think Kennedy was the first who started the trend of the presidency being more a show-pony job than an actual important member of government. Nixon helped to bring much back to the office, but then Watergate shattered that effort (and more). Regan also exacerbated this process by seeming generally uninvolved with any of the day to day opperations. And Clinton sealed the deal by being pretty much a buffoon who rode a good economy to two terms. Even excluding the impeachment (which I have no interest in rehashing) I would see his term as a waste, and an actual negative on the country, moreso than anything Bush has yet to do (Most favoured nation status for China and NAFTA being two things that USA will be paying for long into the future). If anything, I think Bush's administration has gone far toward restoring some backbone to the presidency.

08-31-2005, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
alansmithee Junkie	I'm slightly pro-Bush. When I frist heard about him as a potential presidential candidate, I thought he was pretty much an idiot who was being put into office by a political machine. This was my opinion up until 2002 or so, when I saw the vehement opposition he recieved by the left, and I started seeing that much of what he was criticized for were things I agreed with. I disagree with much of his economic policy, however which makes for only lukewarm support. As for personal opinion of him, I really don't have one. He seems to be a politician (much more than I first thought) which almost necessitates him being somewhat phony. And honestly, I don't really care much about whether or not I like him personally, because it's not relevant to the job of being president. But I think much of his cowboy persona is affected, because just as it turns off many people, it also makes many more identify with his down-to-earthness. And as for him lying/misleading, I don't think it's nearly as prevalent as many think, and even so I have no problem if he (or another President) does if they truly have the nation's best interest in mind. And as for lying to the rest of the world, I really don't care about them whatsoever. As long as the US is still the richest and most powerful nation, they will still take our cash and like it. They can rationalize it to themselves how they are subservient/dependant upon a country of people who are: more ignorant, unhealthier, lazier, less cultured, etc. Also, as for him having the power to do good and allowing the presidency to become weak, I attribute that largely to others. I think Kennedy was the first who started the trend of the presidency being more a show-pony job than an actual important member of government. Nixon helped to bring much back to the office, but then Watergate shattered that effort (and more). Regan also exacerbated this process by seeming generally uninvolved with any of the day to day opperations. And Clinton sealed the deal by being pretty much a buffoon who rode a good economy to two terms. Even excluding the impeachment (which I have no interest in rehashing) I would see his term as a waste, and an actual negative on the country, moreso than anything Bush has yet to do (Most favoured nation status for China and NAFTA being two things that USA will be paying for long into the future). If anything, I think Bush's administration has gone far toward restoring some backbone to the presidency.