A George W. Bush Republican

 

President George W. Bush on Air Force One, 9/11/2001.

The front page of the Washington Post has a story about former President George W. Bush with the well-known photo from 9/11/2001 aboard Air Force One, after America had been attacked by Muslim terrorists, on his way from Florida back to Washington, D.C. It is one of my favorite photos of W who became a wartime president in the first year of his administration. His common sense bipartisan leadership is a template for Republicans especially in the partisan-charged atmosphere of current politics.

George W. Bush's leadership comes in many forms ... determined, compassionate, principled, humble, witty, pragmatic, optimistic, persistent, gracious, honest, intelligent, likeable, down-to-earth, inclusive, willingness to make the tough decisions and accept the blow-back without blaming others, and a trait rarely seen in politics -- loyalty.

He had a vision for America. He never apologized for America. He didn't do all the talking ... he listened. He didn't trash people in public dialogue. President Bush didn't just talk diversity ... he practiced it with great leaders like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice.

He made a promise after 9/11 to protect the Homeland. He kept America safe. His deep respect for military members and their families continues to this day, giving back privately in ways the public is unaware of.

I'm proud to identify myself as a George W. Bush Republican.

Quinnipiac: 61% of Virginians want Governor to stay in office

The just-released Quinnipiac University poll shows the overwhelming majority of Virginians are not clamoring for the Governor to resign, with 61 percent saying no, he should not, and 24 percent undecided. Quinnipiac also noted, "Among voters who say they voted for McDonnell in 2009, 84 percent say they would vote for him again...."

Also, a new Roanoke College poll shows that most Virginians are not paying attention to the story involving Star Scientific, Jonnie Williams, and Governor Bob McDonnell:

... more than half (60%) of registered voters said they have not been following it closely at all. Only 9 percent said they have been following closely, and 25 percent said they have been following it somewhat closely.

Radio host John Fredericks recently weighed in on the issue: "Gov. McDonnell gifts: Get over it. Governor Bob McDonnell broke no laws and didn't do anything we can find that is legally unethical or in conflict with Virginia's very liberal gift laws. If you don't like it, change the laws. But don't impugne the Governor. Did he exercise poor judgment? That is speculative. Did he break any laws? From what we have seen so far: no, he did not. So right now, this amounts to a hill of beans, although we acknowledge the depth of different gifts is reaching critical mass. Should he resign? That is his personal decision, but certainly not over this nonsense."

Obama says he's carrying on the work of Margaret Thatcher ... really?

President Barack Obama says in a statement on the passing of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, "Michelle and I send our thoughts to the Thatcher family and all the British people as we carry on the work to which she dedicated her life—free peoples standing together, determined to write our own destiny.”

Maybe it's just me but I am thinking there is a world of difference between Margaret Thatcher's philosophy and leadership, and Barack Obama's. What do you think? Here is his entire statement:

With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend. As a grocer’s daughter who rose to become Britain’s first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered. As prime minister, she helped restore the confidence and pride that has always been the hallmark of Britain at its best. And as an unapologetic supporter of our transatlantic alliance, she knew that with strength and resolve we could win the Cold War and extend freedom’s promise.

Here in America, many of us will never forget her standing shoulder to shoulder with President Reagan, reminding the world that we are not simply carried along by the currents of history—we can shape them with moral conviction, unyielding courage and iron will. Michelle and I send our thoughts to the Thatcher family and all the British people as we carry on the work to which she dedicated her life—free peoples standing together, determined to write our own destiny.

George Will had some thoughts on her accomplishments. Harking back to 2007 is a four-part series from writer and businessman Conrad Black who even then was noting the vindication for this leader who was against the European Union, as he noted, "Her response to the proposal to reduce Britain to a local government in a federal Europe was, memorably: 'No, no, no, and never.' "

And then there's today's Business Insider that takes the European Union question a step further (and now it's six years after the Black article) with their post, "Margaret Thatcher Was Freakishly Correct About Why The Euro Would Be Such A Big Disaster."

She helped modernize Great Britain while loosening the death grip of the unions, privatizing the airlines and other losing businesses to turn a profit, cut taxes, faced the Cold War, and refused to compromise with terrorists. That's just the tip of the iceberg of her accomplishments during her eleven years of leadership.

Considering what Obama has done in his four years as president, I'm not convinced he is a believer in the same goals as Margaret Thatcher....

Leadership

"Leadership has to do with the example you set."
-- Author/musician/former Army Ranger Keni Thomas

Webb, Warner vote against VA citizens & FOR Big Government

Our lock-stepping U.S. senators did it again. Jim Webb and Mark Warner followed the Democrats right over the cliff, voting for even more overreaching Big Government, and voting against the will of their constituents in Virginia.

From Hot Air's Allahpundit:

And so a drama that began last December, when the EPA declared carbon dioxide to be an environmental hazard, ends predictably. Here’s the roll. All 41 Republicans voted yes — even Scotty B, despite an ad campaign in Massachusetts aimed at pressuring him to oppose the measure. Evan Bayh, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, Ben Nelson, Mark Pryor, and even Jay Rockefeller, who hails from the coal capital of West Virginia, crossed the aisle to vote with the GOP. Result: The EPA will indeed retain its power to, in Ed’s words, “inject itself into just about every industry in the U.S.” in the name of reducing greenhouse gases.

Former Republican U.S. Senator George Allen commented:

[Thursday], by a narrow 53-47 majority, the US Senate appallingly voted for American economic unilateral disarmament. They voted against American and Virginia jobs and coal-related jobs, manufacturers and business, our competitiveness, and affordable electricity and for ceding legislative responsibility to unelected judges and bureaucrats.

The Washington Examiner wrote in its editorial:

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., predicts that a suffocating new round of EPA regulations will soon descend upon the "one-fifth of our restaurants, one-fourth of our schools, two-thirds of our hospitals and doctor's offices, 10 percent of our churches, thousands of farms and millions of small businesses" that emit greenhouse gases. Considering how the EPA grandees mistreat their underlings, we wonder how the agency will respond to the soon-to-be-swelling ranks of critics on the outside.

More at The Washington Examiner here.

Norm at Tertium Quids (H/T to Virginia Right!) nailed the two lock-stepping Virginia senators. He first notes that Webb voted no and called him inconsistent, commenting:

This would be the same senator Webb who earlier said he was against the EPA attempting to regulate greenhouse gases and who even earlier warned the President not to sign any biding agreements on greenhouse gas emissions at the ill-fated Copenhagen conference.

Perhaps inconstant isn't strong enough to describe Webb's behavior. Flaky is much closer to the mark.

Ouch. Warner, also voting against the measure, prompted Norm to add:

... proving again that the self-described "radical centrist" is neither...though he does have a healthy appetite for more, bigger and costlier government.

Virginia needs to do something about those two senators....

Romney: "We need a leader, not a politician"

Mitt Romney nails it in today's USA Today:

Has it come to this again? The president is meeting with his oil spill experts, he crudely tells us, so that he knows "whose ass to kick."

We have become accustomed to his management style — target a scapegoat, assign blame and go on the attack. To win health care legislation, he vilified insurance executives; to escape bankruptcy law for General Motors, he demonized senior lenders; to take the focus from the excesses of government, he castigated business meetings in Las Vegas; and to deflect responsibility for the deepening and lengthening downturn, he blames Wall Street and George W. Bush. But what may make good politics does not make good leadership. And when a crisis is upon us, America wants a leader, not a politician.

We saw leadership on Sept. 11, 2001. Then as now, black billows seemed to come from the center of the earth. Lives had been lost. The environmental impact was immeasurable. The looming economic impact from lost tourism was incalculable. Into the crisis walked Rudy Giuliani. While that was an incomparable human tragedy, how the mayor led New York City to recover is a useful model for the president.

Rudy camped out at Ground Zero — he didn't hole up in his office or retreat to his residence.

Anyone can talk the talk. It takes a leader to walk the walk.

Time for Obama to "cowboy up"

As oil continues to gush in the Gulf Coast, Byron York points out the spill has exposed Barack Obama, reminding of a time on the presidential campaign trail when Obama was asked about his experience:

In mid-February 2008, fresh from winning a bunch of Super Tuesday primaries, Barack Obama granted an interview to "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Croft.

"When you sit down and you look at [your] resume," Croft said to Obama, "there's no executive experience, and in fact, correct if I'm wrong, the only thing that you've actually run was the Harvard Law Review."

"Well, I've run my Senate office, and I've run this campaign," Obama said.

Not sure where those activities rank with a huge enviornmental disaster like the Gulf oil spill but public opinion doesn't think the White House is handling it correctly. Obama, meanwhile, continues to play the blame game, pointing fingers at former President George W. Bush.

The true test of a leader comes through adversity. The true character of a leader comes through owning up and accepting responsibility. It's time for Barack Obama to "cowboy up."

"America's got your back"

Check out Bob's post at The Journey and learn more about this tee shirt. Just think how many countries around the world this shirt applies to....

Miss me yet? Sign the open letter to George W. Bush

Open Letter to President George W. Bush ... add your signature.

Dear President Bush:

On behalf of millions of Americans—many of whom are former critics—we are writing to say that we miss you. Although time is often kind to former presidents, something different is at work here.

While it usually takes 10 or more years for a good president to be appreciated for his contributions, in less than 18 months Americans of all political persuasions have begun to miss your strong leadership, no-nonsense foreign policy, and pride-filled vision of American exceptionalism. In the short time that you have been out of office, our country has sunk to an unprecedented low point, a state that exceeds even the “malaise” of the Jimmy Carter years.

Mr. President, thank you for recognizing the terrorist attacks on America for what they are—a declaration of war—and for treating them as such. Thank you for having the foresight to recognize the situations in Afghanistan and Iraq for what they are and for having the courage to do what had to be done in those troubled countries.

Thank you for understanding the need for indefinite detention of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay and for supporting military tribunals rather than civilian trials.

Thank you for two tax cuts during your presidency and for the fifty-three months of job creation and economic growth that resulted. Thank you for showing that you love America and were willing to do what was necessary to protect us from those who don’t. Finally, thank you for making us proud to be Americans.

Mr. President, we miss you. When we see President Obama apologize for America, we miss your unapologetic patriotism. When we hear President Obama respond to problems and threats with empty words, we miss your steadfastness and willingness to act. When we see President Obama grovel and bow before foreign heads of state, we miss seeing you stand tall as the undisputed leader of the free world.

When we saw President Obama receive the Nobel Peace Prize, we were reminded that the words in his acceptance speech parroted what he has criticized you for saying. As we watch an increasingly dangerous Iran brutalize its own people and thumb its nuclear-tipped nose at the world, we remember that peace comes through strength not talking, bowing, or apologizing—something you understood and acted on. When we saw that President Obama was viewed favorably by weak-willed, socialist leaders in Europe, we were reminded that in the world’s largest democracy—India—you still have an unprecedented 71% approval rating.

The two greatest assets an American president can have are not a majority in Congress or a high likability quotient. Rather, they are the trust of the American people and the respect of our enemies and allies. Unlike President Obama, you understood this. You had the trust of the American people and the respect of our enemies and allies. President Obama has failed to win either. As a candidate, Ronald Reagan asked Americans “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” The answer then was no. Americans are now asking a similar question: “Were we better off under President Bush?”

Increasingly the answer to this question is yes. Mr. President, we miss you.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned American Citizens

The everyday heroes

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs and comes short again and again because
there is no effort without error and shortcoming;
who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion,
spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement;
and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those
cold and timid souls
who have never tasted victory or defeat.”

--Theodore Roosevelt (American President, 1901-09)


Here's to those in the local arena who are willing to be bloodied while standing up for the just causes of the little guy ...

... who are not afraid to question authority ...

... who never waver from their principles ...

... who are not blinded by power, money, and influence.

My hat is off to all of them ... and the battle goes on.

We the People

A reminder from David ... it's the People's government.

Virginia's senator ... caught in his own Webb

~On his way to becoming "R3D2"?~

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) was referred to as "R2D2" by then-Sen. George Allen during a 2006 debate at The Homestead in western Virginia. The reference was to Jim Webb's flip-flops from Republican to Democrat to Republican and back to Democrat for his personal political survival.

Jim Webb voted for the Obama health care bill. Does he now see the handwriting on the wall and is he possibly thinking of bailing on the Democrats?

Webb has effectively ignored his constituents the past year. He ignored them when they visited in Washington, he skipped out on an overseas trip last summer and avoided holding any townhall meetings even as questions arose over health care, and he avoids meeting with Virginia citizens in his satellite offices.

Barbara Hollingsworth at the Washington Examiner sees through Webb:

There’s nothing like a party changer to sense exactly when the political winds have shifted decisively in the other direction. Before the champagne at Massachusetts Senator-elect Scott Brown’s campaign headquarters dried, freshman Virginia Senator Jim Webb, D-VA, was busy trying to figure out how to spin his way out of the mess he’s in.
...
It was only after Brown’s victory that Webb declared: “It is vital that we restore the respect of the American people in our system of government and in our leaders. To that end, I believe it would only be fair and prudent that we suspend further votes on health care legislation until Senator-elect Brown is seated.”

Read the entire commentary where she closes with a zinger:

... it took the late Ted Kennedy’s seat falling into Republican hands to convince Webb that he needed to distance himself from the rest of his fellow Senate Democrats, who totally excluded Republicans when they were putting together this legislative monstrosity. Webb’s too-little, too-late insistence on fairness now is nothing but another political calculation designed to insulate himself from irate voters. If Brown is seated and the Republicans filibuster, Webb can blame them for “killing health care reform,” supposedly leaving him completely off the hook.

Too little, too late. Too bad Senator Webb didn't feel this way a year ago.

H/T to Dick

Response to terrorism: George W. Bush vs Barack Obama

As a Republican and as a supporter of President George W. Bush, I am getting a little tired of the juvenile finger pointing by Barack Obama every time something happens under his watch.

Erick Erickson at RedState reminds us of President Bush's response to 9/11 in his post Barack Obama's Vulnerabilities Will Get Us All Killed:

234 days into George W. Bush’s first contentious year in office, four planes were hijacked and used as missiles to strike the United States. Shortly thereafter, Richard Reid tried to blow up another jet.

George Bush never tried to disown 9/11 or Richard Reid. He never tried to say, “hey, it was Clinton’s problem.” Sure, in fact, a lot of what led to 9/11 happened on Bill Clinton’s watch and he failed in most every measure to shut down Al Qaeda.

But after 9/11, George Bush didn’t spend his first day, second day, or third day blaming Clinton. He set out to destroy Al Qaeda. After Richard Reid, we’ve been pretty darn safe flying.

In fact, under George Bush leading scholars and pundits declared Al Qaeda marginalized. By 2003, the pontiffs of miasmatic beltway wisdom were near unanimous that Al Qaeda was near dismantled.

You really need to read this editorial in the London Telegraph by Toby Harnden. It really hits this point where it needs hitting.

Reading the London Telegraph editorial reinforces the belief of many that our country is vulnerable, not just under Barack Obama, but anytime Democrats are in control.

9/11 was a pivotal point in my life. It gave an urgency to life to work hard, be vigilant, and never give up. While 9/11 has faded in importance to many, it is still as shattering to me today as it was on that beautiful September day in 2001. Thousands lost loved ones that day ... others live with life-changing injuries ... thousands of First Responders put their lives on the line -- some lost their lives, others have searing memories. A nation came together in unity for the first time in my life ... for a short while we were truly a United States.

On the sidebar of this blog is a "9/11: NEVER FORGET" tribute from CapnBob that will be there as long as this blog is in existence. We cannot forget. And, yet, we have a man currently in the White House who seems determined to forget.

Mr. Erickson concluded his post by saying:

At the end of the first year of Barack Obama’s administration, there’s something moving in the shadows of Mount Doom. It wasn’t there while George Bush was in charge. But Barack Obama is no George Bush. And the strategy of blaming Bush for being weak on terror will not work after eight years of blaming Bush for being too bloodthirsty.

There was something comforting when John Wayne was in charge of the ranch....

Obama makes Americans wistful for George W. Bush

"I never thought I'd hear myself say it," one Democrat told me. "But Obama makes you feel that at least with Bush you knew where he was on something."

You won't read that in American newspapers ... but in Europe they are beginning to question Barack Obama's "coldness" and detached attitude toward Americans and the issues they face including the Fort Hood terrorist massacre.

The Telegraph took a look into the two presidents:

When Mr Bush's Republicans were defeated in the 2006 mid-term elections, it was the President himself who stepped up and declared that his party had received "a thumpin'". The Democratic defeats on Tuesday were not on anything like the same scale but Mr Obama acted as if nothing at all had happened.

Mr Obama had campaigned for Jon Corzine, New Jersey's Democratic governor, five times, twice just last Sunday. But when Mr Corzine lost by four points in a state Mr Obama won by 15 last year - a 19-point swing to Republicans - White House aides just shrugged.

In Virginia, which Mr Obama won by six points last year, prompting Democrats to declare an historic political realignment in the state, the Democratic candidate went down by 17 points in the biggest landslide since 1961 - a 23-point swing to the Grand Old Party.

It took Senator Mark Warner of Virginia to admit that his party "got walloped". For three days, Mr Obama maintained a studied silence about the results while his aides blamed them on local factors that had nothing to do with the President. And to think that it was Mr Bush who was always accused of being "in denial".

Our European neighbors took note of the President's strange national message of "condolence" after the Fort Hood terrorist massacre:

When the television networks cut to the President, viewers listened to him spend more than two surreal minutes talking to a gathering of Native Americans about their "extraordinary" and "extremely productive" conference, pausing to give a cheery "shout out" to a man named Dr Joe Medicine Crow. Only then did he briefly and mechanically address what had happened in Texas.

Even more telling was this observation:

Completely missing was the eloquence that Mr Obama employs when talking about himself. Absent too was any sense that the President empathised with the families and comrades of those murdered.

As to the Telegraph's suggestion that perhaps Barack Obama should try becoming more like President George W. Bush, I disagree. While Mr. Bush was heart-felt and sincere in his actions, I would prefer not to see a contrived Obama put on his acting cap and fake his way through, acting as if he cared. We have enough of that already.

Related post: Thank you former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush

RPV Victory Dinner ... faces of leadership

RPV Chairman Pat Mullins

Kristi Way (standing), with Rep. Eric Cantor's office, talks with Brenda Campbell (sitting), VFRW President.

State Sen. Steve Martin (R-Chesterfield) with Jo Garey of Midlothian.

Brenda Campbell, President,
Virginia Federation of Republican Women

Fay Williamson, Vice Chairman,
Virginia Federation of Republican Women

Marie Quinn

Peter Foster

Republican women's table

Jeb Wilkinson

Kennny Golden and Melissa Busse

Dave Foster and Fay Williamson
Tom Foley and Steve Morrison

Kathy Terry, National Committeewoman

New Bob McDonnell ad ... "Leadership"

~McDonnell Up with New Positive Television Ad "Leadership"~

Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Attorney General of Virginia, is expanding his general election television advertising today. In his latest ad, "Leadership" McDonnell continues to highlight his positive message of new jobs and more opportunities all across Virginia.

The spot will begin airing today in the Norfolk/Richmond/Roanoke/Harrisonburg/Tri-Cities/and Charlottesville markets.

In " Leadership" Bob McDonnell Says:

Bob McDonnell: An air force officer and working mom raised me in this middle class neighborhood.

Rachel McDonnell: Hey dad!

Cailin McDonnell: See you at Grandpa's!

Bob: Ok, see you there girls. In the army I earned a business degree in night school. And got my law degree on the GI bill.

Jeanine McDonnell: The Army taught us leadership dad.

Bob: Sure did, leadership makes a difference.

Sean McDonnell: Dad how about a game?

Bob: You're on! I've outlined plans to grow the economy and create jobs, make college more affordable and accessible for Virginians, and enact bipartisan solutions for transportation. After all, we face the same challenges that you do.

You can watch "Leadership" here

Bob McDonnell for Governor 2009

Thoughts about the past 48 hours....

It's interesting how life takes twists and turns along the way that impact us on an individual basis. How we handle those changes and challenges determines and builds our character to pursue more as we move through our time here on earth.

By now just about everyone knows of Del. Chris Saxman's decision not to run for reelection of the 20th House of Delegates seat. He is my delegate, and I respect his decision to step away from power.

Only a strong leader can relinquish the "power of the ring." I saw it locally when Dr. Kurt Michael won his mass meeting but voluntarily stepped aside as chairman of the Augusta County Republican Committee to bring unity to the Party ... I saw it in Gov. Sarah Palin's decision to step aside as governor for the good of Alaska ... and I saw it in Del. Chris Saxman's decision Friday. It takes real leadership and integrity to be able to let go of power for some greater good. The truth be known, those who are willing to lay down power are the very ones who should be wielding it. I wish more politicians were like that.

Friday morning my phone started ringing at 7:30 after Chris' announcement began to hit the media ... and it did not stop for the next 12 hours. I will eventually write about my respect for Del. Saxman and the fun of campaigning with him over the years ... but not tonight.

This morning my husband and I drove to Richmond for an RPV State Central Committee meeting where, interestingly, I sat next to Sen. Emmett Hanger. Afterwards, we went to Short Pump shopping and enjoyed dinner there before heading back to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

Meanwhile, Chris is on my mind. Daily prayers go up for him and his family, and I wish him well as he enters the next chapter of his life. When a door closes, a window opens ... and Del. Saxman will find that window when the time is right. Leaders always do.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10

IBD: "Bush-whacked"

Taking a cue from his dad, the 41st president of the United States, former President George W. Bush went quietly into the night when he retired from the White House, leaving the spotlight and allowing Barack Obama to step into that leadership position.

President Bush probably would have remained quiet ... except Barack Obama began to bash the Bush administration. Kind of a low blow when you slam someone knowing pretty well that they are not going to slam back. (What is it with Democrat presidents that they cannot accept responsibility and not blame the previous White House tenents?)

Investor's Business Daily took note in an editorial today:

After being pummeled by his successor, the 43rd president ends his silence on America's slide into socialism and timidity. He reminds us leadership is not something that comes off a teleprompter.

Perhaps tired about being publicly blamed by the current administration for all our current ills, Bush spoke out in Erie, Pa., on Wednesday at the 104th annual gathering of the Manufacturers and Business Association.

President Bush stood his ground against Obama and the current out-of-control White House by addressing the stimulus bill, Guantanamo, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, terrorism, and more. Good editorial.

I miss having John Wayne in charge of the ranch....

"Leadership cannot avoid controversy"

[Encore of August 2008 post]

Read this today ... from someone extremely knowledgeable in politics:

"Leadership cannot avoid controversy."

Leaders are natural targets for those who would like to exchange places with them. Someone who "goes along to get along" ... is not a leader.

Pearls of wisdom from one who has walked the political path for decades....

"Leadership cannot avoid controversy"

Read this today ... from someone extremely knowledgeable in politics:

"Leadership cannot avoid controversy."

Leaders are natural targets for those who would like to exchange places with them. Someone who "goes along to get along" ... is not a leader.

Pearls of wisdom from one who has walked the political path for many decades....