Frankly, I think it is way too soon for a book like this to be published. Such reflections are more appropriate after a president's term ends, now with 16 months left in his presidency.

But there is a quote that some folks are making great fun of in the BDS-afflicted left-o-sphere that I think illustrates something quite interesting about the nature of the modern presidency.

Then he said, "We'll have a nice place in Dallas," where he will be running what he called "a fantastic Freedom Institute" promoting democracy around the world. But he added, "I can just envision getting in the car, getting bored, going down to the ranch."

Now the leftards have been having fun with that three-word "fantastic Freedom Institute" excerpt (wouldn't you like to see the whole quote -- I bet it is significantly more substantive), what strikes me is the latter part of that paragraph.

I think the quote illustrates something very important -- the presidency, for all its power and perks, is a gilded prison. It strips the ability to be normal from the occupant of the Oval Office.

How many of you can decide that you want to make an impromptu road-trip on the weekend because you are bored or stressed? Probably all of you. What you see in Bush's statement is his yearning to be able to do exactly that.

I live here in Houston. I'm a teacher, not anyone of great social importance. And yet I see George & Barbara Bush at community events on a regular basis. They have a freedom to come and go as they choose that they lacked for the dozen years of his Vice Presidency and especially his Presidency. I believe their son is looking forward to that.

Some will argue that Bush's weakness is being exposed here. I'd argue that we are getting a glimpse of his humanity in a way that we have never seen the humanity of a president before.

Posted by: Greg at 02:48 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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