Those of you who follow my blog carefully know that I'm no fan of our president. My wife and I have been gawking in stunned and enthralled disbelief at the Democrats' taking of the House and (it's looking like) the Senate. But 'disbelief' doesn't apply to Bush's reaction to this.
He fires Rumsfeld. He tells us that the message is clear:
The American people want their leaders in Washington to set aside partisan differences, conduct ourselves in an ethical manner, and work together to address the challenges facing our nation.
Well, thanks for noticing, Mr. President. We've only been calling for Rumsfeld's ouster for years now. (And by 'we', I mean Democrats, Republicans, and dozens of retired military personnel.) You ran as a "uniter, not a divider". I suspect that you had some idea that the country might want our leaders to conduct themselves in an ethical manner. Where's the news here?
Oh, right. The news is: now you're actually going to have to deal with Democrats to get anything done. So it's only now that you have to notice anything they've been saying. I'm sorry, then, if you're coming off as a disingenuous, pandering flip-flopper (remember that word?). You're acting like the school bully who came back to school in September and noticed that since June his main victim grew 4 inches and bulked up in the gym. And now you're trying to make nice. How charming.
Hmmmm....now what's that little phrase that evangelical Christians use to guide their actions? Oh yes. What would Jesus do? If Jesus were the Democrats, I think he would smile, show mercy, and take your advances at face value, making real efforts to reach true bipartisan agreements that reflect the will of the people (something that has eluded you for six years). While I am not a Christian, it's Jesus's forgiveness of his enemies that I most respect about Christian philosophy. I'm sincerely touched by that logic. I think that's one reason Jesus got so many followers. Maybe the Democrats will get some now, too.
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