Rich Lowry: The double binds of George W. Bush

Sometimes you just can’t please anybody: Sometimes a political figure becomes so hated that he can’t do anything right in the eyes of his enemies. President Bush has achieved this rare and exalted status. His critics are so blinded by animus that the internal consistency of their attacks on him no longer matters. For them, … Continue reading “Rich Lowry: The double binds of George W. Bush”

Sometimes you just can’t please anybody:

Sometimes a political figure becomes so hated that he can’t do anything right in the eyes of his enemies. President Bush has achieved this rare and exalted status. His critics are so blinded by animus that the internal consistency of their attacks on him no longer matters. For them, Bush is the double-bind president.

If he stumbles over his words, he is an embarrassing idiot. If he manages to cut taxes or wage a war against Saddam Hussein with bipartisan support, he is a manipulative genius.

If he hasn’t been able to capture Osama bin Laden, he is endangering U.S. security. If he catches bin Laden, it is only a ploy to influence the elections.

…so you just have to do the right thing and damn the consequences. And with Democrats in such a tizzy covering up for Kerry advisers Lyin’ Joe Wilson and Sandy “Socks” Berger, there probably won’t be any.