On Courage...

I was thinking this morning about how much courage it would take to be the President of the United States. You would be required to constantly defend your decisions and face those who disagree with you, especially with the country so polarized. (Aside: Again, this is one of the things that I admired about Governor Racicot. He met with those who disagreed with him, listened, told them their viewpoint had merit, then explained the opposing rationale and why he favored it. He was hugely popular, because even if you disagreed with him, his policymaking was utterly transparent.) It makes me think of moot court in law school, where you had to learn your position inside and out then stand before three judges who hammered you on each of the weakest points of your case. It takes an extraordinary person, in my opinion, to be able to face a divided America -- including its press, congress, and general populace -- and defend each of his policies.

If courage means the will and ability to face your adversaries, it is a quality that is lacking in this President. I don't dispute his will and ability to create adversity, but to face it personally? He simply refuses. The press? He has given the fewest press conferences of any president since the dawn of television. Congress? He first refused to meet with the entire 9-11 commission they created, then consented to private testimony... but not without Cheney there ... and no transcripts or recordings allowed (that would imply a sense of accountability). The people? Three words: "Free Speech Zones." I wonder if Bush is shocked by his abysmal 47% approval ratings, when it sure seems like every public statement he gives is received by maniacal applause. How can this be? Answer: hand picked and carefully screened crowds.

Here's the Administration's spin on this: the President has the courage to declare an elective war and the courage to stick to his plans whether they work or not. All this from the comfort of his office or his ranch. This type of "courage", to quote the Tragically Hip, couldn't come at a worse time.