George Bush is President of the United States
Republicans like to proudly claim that they love America. John McCain likes to insist proudly he always puts America First. But in their American Pride, they strangely have left out an important part of America - the President of the United States.
No doubt this is just an oversight on their part. So, doing my proud patriotic duty, I point out the following -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
You'd think Republicans wouldn't let such a glaring mistake fall through the cracks. You'd think that having a Republican president for eight years would be something that Republicans would trumpet to the heavens.
You'd think.
But I believe that Americans should support the office, regardless of the skill set of its occupant, so let me correct that omission -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
It's so strange. During the Republican primaries, all Republican candidates forgot to mention President George Bush. The leader of their own party. What a gaffe. They did keep bringing up Ronald Reagan, so clearly they knew some history. Oddly, they overlooked two Republican presidents to get back to Mr. Reagan - and both were named "George Bush." Go figure. But how can a party totally ignore the current president? Maybe they forgot his name. No problem, I'm here to help.
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
[Funny side note: It was Ronald Reagan who developed what the first George Bush called "Voodoo Economics," policies that cut regulation and oversight by Washington. Oops. It's a fair guess that if the Republican primaries were held this week, Ronald Reagan might be ignored just like all George Bushes.]
Republicans also did all they could to avoid mentioning George Bush at their national convention. Sure, they let him send in a video - he's the head of their party, after all - but even inept hopefuls for "American Idol" get to appear in person. Yet in four, balloon-filled days of celebration, they couldn't find time to mention the American President. They found time to exalt Sarah Palin, who 20 months earlier had a job she was first-elected to with 616 votes - but they ignored the leader of the free world? Well, if Republicans are avoiding the head of their party at their own convention, I'll help out.
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
When their nominee John McCain gave his acceptance speech, he never once even mentioned the president. It's not like Sen. McCain didn't have time; he spoke for 55 minutes. What, he couldn't have just popped in a quick, "And I'd like to send a shout out to the president, George Bush!"? That's four seconds. But he couldn't find a place to give props? Okay, I can -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
Throughout the campaign, John McCain doesn't mention George Bush. Even in the midst of an economic crisis being compared to the Great Depression. In his debate with Barack Obama, not once did John McCain ever bring up the name of the president on his own. The leader of his own party. Who he supported and voted with over 90% of the time. John McCain does not, will not mention who the President of the United States is. Fine, I will -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
The Republican vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, also doesn't mention Mr. Bush. Talk about getting dissed. That's like the manager of the A/V club not referring to Bill Gates. In fact, in her debate she did give a shout out, but it was to a third grade class, not the president. Moreover, not only didn't mention him, but she went out of her way repeatedly to try and get Joe Biden to not talk about the past. In fairness, if I were in her or any Republican's place, I wouldn't want to talk about the past either. So, let's talk about the present -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
Republicans want to pretend that George Bush isn't president and hasn't lead the nation into hell for the past eight years. (Welcome to my world.) They're trying to run on a Republican platform without acknowledging their party leader who has driven their agenda for nearly a decade. Watching Congressman Eric Cantor (R-FL) on "Hardball" the other day was a study in tap dancing that would have made Fred Astaire proud. For 13 minutes, he wouldn't simply acknowledge whether he supported the economic programs of the leader of his party. He would only say, "This isn't the time to point fingers."
Sure, it is! If the worst economic crisis of our lifetime isn't the time to point fingers, when would be? You have to point fingers at a problem, so you know what to fix. Republicans won't point. I'll assist them. There -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
For eight years, the Republican Party has pushed the power of the White House, while diminishing constitutional checks-and-balances of the other two branches. But now, Republicans seem to want to reverse all this - completely ignore that the White House exists, while accepting the other two branches of government only. Well, sorry, the White House does exist. And someone works there -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
Republicans can try to ignore that they've given their party's leader, George Bush, a blank check for eight years while genuflecting at his feet. But now, Republicans have seen George Bush plummet to a 24% approval. They've seen Republican George Bush lead the nation into an unending war that it was lied into, a crumbled economy, a blindness to global warming, supporting torture, wiretapping Americans, creating a housing crisis, and on and on...
...and now Republicans want to avoiding mentioning Republican George Bush as if he didn't exist. As if these problems didn't exist. As if they didn't enable and support him to allow these problems to exist. As if they aren't even Republicans.
Sorry, it doesn't work that way.
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
And you're Republicans. And George W. Bush is the head of the Republican Party. And Republicans and John McCain can either support him or explain why they were wrong to have supported him for eight years. Ignoring him is not an option. We've seen what happens when you ignore George Bush and let him have his way. Try as they might, Republicans can't ignore Republican George Bush. You can run, you can even run for office, but you can't hide. Why? Because -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
And we haven't even mentioned Dick Cheney. Then again, neither have the Republicans.
By the way -
Dick Cheney is Vice President of the United States.
And he's a Republican. Just like John McCain. And just like Sarah Palin. And like all Republicans running for office. And just exactly like George W. Bush. The only difference is -
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
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What's bothered me in the past months is that McCain seems to think he himself is the President. Whether it's deciding that "we are all Georgians" now or going back to Washington to take care of the financial crisis, McCain seems to have forgotten that George Bush is our President until January 19th, 2009.
That, in video game circles, is what we would call a Flawless Victory!
: )
This reminds me of a phenomenon I have been curious about this election season. I have seen a lot of political ads for Congress and the state legislature which don't identify the pary of the person running. In the past, it seems like most candidates would end their ads with "Republican candidate for whatever", but now there is no clue. Are they hoping that voters won't tie them to their party?
I have noticed this "phenomena" all over the country.
In spring I visited New Orleans and noticed where presumably Republican office seekers were avoiding the "R" word on billboards and TV ads.
Same deal in Missouri during the summer. Lawn signs of Repubs were devoid of party affiliation. However, Dems proudly displayed the "D" in patriotic blue.
I guess it just sux to be a republican these days. I feel no sympathy for them.
I remember seeing an article detailing how Republican candidates were being told by their party to trash Bush and if possible don't run as a Republican party member.
In my state that has led to the main Republican candidate for governor running as a "Grand Old Party" Party member. It's because polling has shown that he is at a 17 point disadvantage if he calls himself a Republican.
George W. Bush is President of the United States.
what a wonderful grasp of the obvious; and who believes that he is not?
I think the point is that the Republicans are trying to pretend (or at least ignore) that he is.
Surely there's a nonprofit organization out there to adopt this as a PSA. Right now would be an excellent time to remind everyone- regardless of affiliation- that by being in denial regarding the past eight years is just as bad as having enabled the past eight years ourselves.
Accountability, people!
Thanks for the excellent post.
So let me get this straight. George W. Bush endorses John McCain. John McCain says we need 'reform' in Warshington. So would Bush support McCain if McCain was going to come in and scuttle all Bush's programs and policies? No. Bush=McCain. McCain has been ENDORSED by Bush. That means that the man with 22% approval rating is saying that he AGREES with McCain and McCain's policies. Once again Mccain=Bush. Logic prevents anyone from seeing this any other way.
Brilliant.
Barack Obama should read this post as his closing statement for the debate tonight and remind the country of why we are where we are today. Because
"George W. Bush is President of the United States."
Thank you for this article. I think we truly need to get this kind of reality check. Every day of this race more people need to hear this.
Having watched how his own party first lifted up George W. Bush and now casts him aside I almost feel sorry for him - almost.
Excellent post!!
Seems to me, the Republicans would RATHER talk about Bill Clinton since (from their point of view) most of today's woes can be laid at his feet... President George Dubya Bush notwithstanding!
The fact that George W. Bush is president of the United States and has been and continues to be the leader of the Republican party is truly the "elephant in the living room" that Republican candidates want to ignore.
If he is so toxic, why didn't THEY move to impeach him?
Now there's a question.
Amen. As I was reading this, I kept thinking, "Bob, don't forget about Cheney." Of course you didn't. I also see the ads for "W", and wonder what lampoonery Oliver Stone has dreamt up -- it almost looks like a farce, and while farce may be a good summary of this administration, it is devoid of humor. Bankrupt, in fact.
It is beyond all comprehension how these people can try to avoid their culpability in enabling this administration, and referring to Senator Obama's calling them on it as lies. Tonight will be extremely interesting to watch, and hopefully Obama has watched some tapes of Ali (mentioned only because it was Ali with whom pundits compared Obama -- unfavorably) -- watched to see how to wear down the opponent, cut off the escape, get him into a corner from where there is no escape, and pummel him into submission.
Lastly, Bob, I detect anger in your tone. How disrespectful! Oh, BTW, that was being ironic. I have had so much of this "How (fill in the blank)!" message, that I want to throw up. Americans have the RIGHT to be angry! GET ANGRY, ALREADY! YOU DESERVE IT! Like Bob says, point those fingers, because you KNOW who is responsible for this mess! Look at those pariahs, those subverters of the American dream. Look at them, -- commit their faces to memory. Get angry, get rid of them to the best of your ability this time around, and then swear to yourselves,
(Continued) ready for the punchline?
"Never again!"
Funny how 0bama & Biden don't often mention the Democratically controlled congress that gives George W Bush everything he wants! Maybe that's because they voted for his projects.
The Democrats have been described as "An island of suck in an ocean of sh*t". Nobody wants to cling to an island of suck, but the alternative is swimming in an ocean of sh*t.
Also they do not have a large majority, and the Repubs passed a motion that anything needs 60 votes to pass.
And Georgie W, vetos anything that limits his power, or that he disagrees with, at the same time blaming Democrats for not rubber stamping hi "Clean" bills; so you see what kind of hell Congressional Dems are in
Well, the Democrats have been supporting President George Bush unconditionally - I can understand the confusion.
You are mistaken.
Do some research, inform yourself.
Have they been as stringent as they should be? No. Hopefully that will change when the Dems gain a larger voting majority.
It's called "hyperbole."
Great job Robert.
"Ignoring him is not an option"
How very true.
What a chilling Post.
Great to see the whole sorry illusion being exposed so eloquently.
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