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Has George W. Bush finally done something right?
01/27/08
Has George W. Bush finally done something right?
A thought just came to me that seemed worth noting. I believe that George Bush is responsible for the success that Barack Obama is enjoying in the primaries. Without the disaster that has been the Bush presidency, Obama may have been nothing more than an interesting side story in this year's campaign. However, so many people see the last seven years as a disastrous time in our nation's history and they are ready to embrace anyone who seems like they can lead us out of the mess they see.
A few months ago, I told my son that Barack Obama seems to be the real thing. The more I see of him, the more I believe this is true. During my lifetime I have seen few people who can inspire hope in the way that Obama does.
JFK was one of those, but I was barely into my teens when he became president and had no interest in politics. Colin Powell might have become such a man, but he lost too much credibility when he gave his pre-war speech at the UN in support of the Iraq invasion. I still admire him and understand that, being the man he is, he could do nothing else other than to support his appointed leader.
One thing I admire about Obama is that he realizes that much of the support he is receiving has as much to do with timing as it does with his own abilities. He seems genuinely... Let me reword that - he seems genuine. This is a rare thing in life and an even rarer thing in politics.
This next year leading up to the election may be one of the great turning points in our country's history. Let us hope the country and the man who has inspired so much hope are up to the challenge they face.
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2 comments
While I agree that Colin Powell did harm his political self with that speech, I do not believe that he lost any credibility. Colin Powell was and is a great man. He will not be one of our great presidents because of a personal choice to not seek that office, not because he is discredited. He has spoke openly about not wanting to run before this speech was ever given. While I am completely opposed to our invasion of Iraq, I do not see where Colin Powell's speech was purposefully misleading. If you read the transcripts from the speech you would see it as a very detailed presentation of facts and not his opinions. Of course some of these facts have since been found to be false, but lets not discredit Colin Powell for quoting supposed reliable intelligence, weapons inspectors, and recorded conversations.
If you would like to read a transcript with slideshows you can find it at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030205-1.html
OBAMA/EDWARDS 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The primary season is far from over. We won't know the nominees for some time to come. Although primary polls are notoriously inaccurate, it is interesting to note that Obama has closed the gap on Hillary Clinton in all of the polls.
One sign I am seeing that indicates Obama's growing strength comes from the right wing of the Republican crowd. I receive a few conservative and ultra-conservative newsletters. They have begun to attack Obama on a regular basis, often spending more time attacking him than they do their arch-nemesis - Hillary Clinton.
As for Edwards as a running mate, I think it would be a good choice. The only real damage Edwards received from the 2004 campaign is to have been associated with a failed effort. The Republican smear machine did little damage to him then and probably wouldn't be any more effective this time around. He still has a big part to play in this process. If his supporters shift to one of the front-runners that candidate will have a commanding lead. It will be interesting to watch the political maneuvering that goes on over the next few months.