Monday, December 12, 2005

The Loneliest Ranger?

I remember, vaguely, seeing a TV "play" about LBJ in the White House during the Vietnam War. At one point, an exasperated President cries out in the halls: "This is the loneliest job in the world!"

Woodward reported that Nixon was talking to the portraits just before he finally faced facts and resigned.

But this; this is scary:
"The President believes he's serving at this time for a reason--that his instincts, experience and convictions are suited for big challenges," says Austin-based strategist Mark McKinnon.
Newsweek, by the way, got much closer to the truth (although why this wasn't obvious 5 years ago is a bit of a mystery, eh?):

It shows in Bush's humor. When Reagan told a joke, it almost never was about someone in the room. Reagan's jokes may have been scatological or politically incorrect, but they were inclusive, intended to make everyone join in the laughter. Often, Bush's joking is personal—it is aimed at you. The teasing can be flattering (the president gave me a nickname!), but it is intended, however so subtly, to put the listener on the defensive. It is a towel-snap that invites a retort. How many people dare to snap back at a president?

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