The days of an empty suit president are over

[question everything]

Even the most stalwart Republicans knew that there was not much to Bush, except his name recognition, a good resume - an apparently successful governor of a large state - and a frat boy easy going demeanor.

They did not care. All they needed is someone who just wanted to have fun, did not want to be bothered with any serious issues, who would be malleable, would say and do what was told.

But now, according to CNN recent poll, most Americans consider his presidency to be a failed one.

Let's hope that from now on, the only people who would be elected our leaders - from either party - would be individuals who at least possess a minimum level of intelligence, knowledge of current affairs, history, geography and capable of expressing their thoughts.

[babylonsister]

1. Yep, now he's nekkid. nt

[ClassWarrior]

2. Chauncey Gardener.

NGU.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. You mentioning name recognition reminded me of what Candy Crowley

from CNN said. I believe it was yesterday. She was talking about how no one knows anything about Obama and some of the other contenders. She starting speaking about how past presidents were unknowns; she mentioned Carter and Clinton and didn't say anything about George W. Bush...as if Bush was already known by everyone before he ran. :eyes: The only reason folks heard about that guy is because his dad was a president. Name recognition.

[question everything]

5. Precisely. His dad and this was what they counted on

that there was a Bush associated with a "beloved" president (theirs) Reagan. That another Bush suffered humiliation by a "philandering, draft dodging" Clinton and it was payback time.

There was nothing about him specifically that would qualify him for a president, except that he was not Bill Clinton nor Al Gore.

[AX10]

4. As you said, the stalwart GOPers knew he was a POS!

:nopity:

[EST]

6. Unfortunately, as much as we talk on and on about intelligence,

knowledge, experience and how those qualities should relate to presidential selection, the vast majority of American voters merely vote for the person they "like."
It's all about sales, perception, manipulation.

We all know that bush had no real qualifications for the white house; he even deserted from the military-imo far more important than "draft dodging."

Most of us knew in 1999 that bush was an empty suit, but people voted for him because they hated the Clinton administration and liked *.

That's just the way it is with our method of selecting a president.

[question everything]

11. Perhaps, though, we will be able to use the Bush example

to warn against similar candidates in the future.

[GreenArrow]

13. note latest polls in Iowa

where 29% of respondents listed "charisma" as their most important qualification for a Presidential candidate. That was the number one reason given. Sad.

[Elidor]

7. You are vastly overrating the intelligence of Americans

We'll fall for the same dumb shit over and over. It did not require great intelligence to see what a disaster Dubya would be.

[bmbmd]

8. I disagree. I think the next president

will be smart as hell. And ruthless.

[MrRobotsHolyOrders]

9. Your completely underating Bush

He's not an empty headed dolt like Warren Harding or Ronald Reagan, being led around by the nose by whatever sweet talking cabinent member conned him into some misadventure.

Bush is a fully fleshed out person, with views and opinions and convinctions. The problem is, his views, opinions, and convinctions are based on religious zealotry, personal ignorance, and generally high levels of just being fucking crazier than fuck.

If he was fucking up someone elses country, I'd kind of find his fascinating, like Caligula or Howard Hughes.

[question everything]

12. His opinions and convictions, however, are based on literal

interpretation of his bible which means that there are no independent thinking, inquiry, or debate.

No offense for DUers for whom their religion is an important aspect of their lives and conviction, but is someone claims that "this is what god said, therefore this is what I accept.." then there is not much of original thinking.

I do agree with what you are saying, though.

[smtpgirl]

10. So where's the Dick going to go?

Rumsfeld OUT, now how about Cheney