The Perfect President
by Robert Yoho, Associate Editor
"Eye on Conservatism"
For the past twelve years, conservatives have grown quite accustomed to betrayals
by the nation’s Chief Executive. Not only did President Bush (the father), break
his promise not to raise taxes, the next administration dismally failed to honor
any of the promises that were made to Republicans.
Therefore, way too many of us in the conservative camp routinely expect to be betrayed by the president.
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I
do not share the opinion of some that President George W. Bush (right) has done
any irreparable harm on the Constitution. Nor do I feel his actions have betrayed
us.
Having said that, I am not saying that I wasn’t disappointed in several of the choices the president has made or the bills he has signed. In all of those cases, I believe he relied too much on his advisors, people who care more about politics than principles.
I believe President Bush is a good and decent man, a person of high character. He is someone who tries to do the right thing. I believe his instincts are good. And when he follows them, he will inevitably make the right decisions.
However, for all of you who say that President Bush is too liberal, I offer the following perspective:
Many of you have forgotten that one of the president’s first initiatives was to stop the public funding of overseas abortions. This executive order was met with weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth from the militant feminists and their media cheerleaders.
Despite lacking the support of the leaders of the European Union, President Bush stood firm on his support for missile defense and his opposition of the Kyoto treaty. Later, he boldly scrapped the antiquated 1972 AMB treaty on ballistic missiles.
He promised tax cuts during the campaign and stubbornly refused to yield. He has stood firmly against human cloning. His war leadership has been superb. And that is only a small sample of his conservative credentials.
Increasingly, I have come to believe that some of those who are purportedly in our same camp would not be satisfied with whomever became our Chief Executive.
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If
I was going to create the perfect president, then I would start with the self-deprecating
wit of Ronald Reagan (left), the intellect of William F. Buckley and Anthony
Scalia, the tell-it-like-it-is candor of Bob Dornan and Ann Coulter, the boundless
optimism of Rush Limbaugh, the flaming oratory of Alan Keyes, the rich military
heritage of John McCain, the pro-life passion of Pat Buchanan, the fervent Constitutional
defense of Rep. Ron Paul. Still, it wouldn’t be enough for many of those who
call themselves conservative!
Carping and criticizing, they idly sit on the sidelines. They never take up arms in defense of their party. They never take the slings and arrows from the opposition. They never attempt to remake the GOP in their conservative image the way liberals have dominated the Democrats.
I am not suggesting that we stifle honest ideological introspection. Political dissent is what made this country great. We were conceived in it. In fact, I certainly reserve the right to do more of it in the future. I also plan to criticize President Bush whenever he is wrong.
However, I believe than many of us will never be satisfied with any president. These so-called ideological purists can always see the faults in anyone chosen by the GOP. Yet if you look for betrayal long enough, you are sure to find it.
More than anything else, I think is inarguable that President George W. Bush has restored the public’s respect for his office. No longer is the presidency or its current occupant perceived as little more than a dirty joke.
That is all I ask of Bush or any president. I do not expect them to be right on every issue. I do not demand their total allegiance to every cause I personally support. I do not expect that they will not make mistakes.
I do, however, hold them to higher standard of behavior than the average man on the street. I expect them to recognize and appreciate the sacrificial contributions of our young men and women in the armed forces. I do expect them to uphold the finest traditions of their office and to carry themselves with a dignity worthy of their lofty position. Bush has done that.
In conclusion, I must say that George W. Bush is not the perfect president, but he is still pretty darn good! ***
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