Expecting Much From W? I'm Not

Expecting Much From W? I'm Not
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano

Unmitigated gall is now in ready supply throughout Washington.

Despite having campaigned vigorously for almost two years, despite having withstood the scrutiny, the cruel jokes, the "gotchas," and the outrageous slander, despite having made a genuine effort to rise above the musty stench of divisive political attacks, President-Elect George W. Bush is still being treated like a contender, not the winner.

Every soul clinging to the environs of political power has come rushing forward with "advice" on how President-Elect Bush can "succeed." The media pundits expect him to fill his Cabinet with liberals, variegation for variegation's sake, just to appease them. The Democrats expect him to abandon his campaign promises, sharing power and adopting a "centrist" position, just to appease them. The Congressional Black Caucus expects him to step aside, ignoring the millions of voters who supported him, just to appease them. Even the cocksure Senator McCain (R-AZ), still smarting over his sound thrashing during the primaries, expects to push his beloved "campaign finance reform" in exchange for future loyalty in the Senate.

I don't expect President-Elect Bush to bow to any of these people. He won without them or in spite of them; much to their furious dismay, he will stay true to his agenda. He expects his staff to be discreet, above reproach, and dedicated. A refreshing change, is it not?

In many ways, I can judge Bush's presidency by what I don't expect from him, instead of the opposite.

Although President-Elect Bush may mangle a few syllables now and again, I don't expect to be offended by daily lies and painful verbal vaudeville. The slightly jumbled truth is much preferred to brazen lies or carefully couched contortions masquerading as the truth.

Although President-Elect Bush may not be able to push his entire agenda, I don't expect him to propose an agenda, drop entire planks completely when it becomes politically convenient, co-opt another's agenda without giving due credit, or oppose something only to trumpet it as his own when it eventually works.

Although President-Elect Bush may not aggressively pursue "women's rights," I don't expect him to offer a pretty public face, only to treat women like sex toys in private and then use the power of the Federal Government to launch nationwide smear campaigns against them. I don't expect him to claim to "honor" his wife by parading his paramours through the White House.

Although President-Elect Bush may not fully restore the military, I don't expect him to toss them hither and yon, without appropriate support or munitions, only to watch their bodies being dragged through the streets or fished out of watery graves. I don't expect him to bomb aspirin factories to divert attention from his "honoring" his wife. I don't expect him to use military law in a perverted attempt to shield himself from justice. I don't expect him to demand that military personnel undergo sensitivity training, as if their primary purpose was not to win wars, but to pick flowers. I don't expect him to surrender our military personnel to the globalist regime of the United Nations, as if they were not voluntary soldiers defending our Constitution, but hired mercenaries.

Although President-Elect Bush may not quell the growing threat of rogue weapons, I don't expect him to cave to Communist China in return for illegal campaign contributions. I don't expect him to loosen export licensing to the point where dual-use technology and military secrets are steadily flowing into the hands of our enemies. I don't expect him to kowtow to Saddam, to play beggar to Russia, or to cuddle up to Castro.

Although President-Elect Bush may ask for the opinions of his Staff and Advisors, I don't expect him to run a "poll" to decide when and if he should tell the truth, do his duty, act honorably, or behave rationally. I don't expect him to bite his lip like a little baby, blame his political opponents for his blatant personal failings, launch wholesale class warfare, turn groups of Americans against each other, or carry his Bible for appearances only. I don't expect him to rule by Executive Fiat, to repeatedly embarrass us in front of the World Theater, or to engage in activities so preposterous, they border on treason.

Finally, although the White House will be his "residence," I don't expect President-Elect Bush to treat it like his own private hotel, brothel, war room, or play ground. I don't expect him to treat long time staff like trash under his feet. I don't expect him to leave the place filthier, both physically and symbolically, than it was when he entered it.

Yup. There isn't much I expect from "W."

A refreshing change, isn't it?