George or Andy?
The Andy Griffithization of George W. Bush
I am not in the habit of saying complimentary things about our current president, but when it is warranted, I will freely give credit. Notwithstanding the opening paragraphs, the New Orleans speech is the best speech of his career. It is also his most liberal, certainly in terms of heart. And I suspect it will go a long way toward helping people understand the importance of liberality.
But here's the weird thing.
I think the president enjoyed being liberal. I also think David Brooks enjoys his newfound freedom. This speech represents a trimph of liberalism, if not Liberalism. And maybe that too. A liberal triumph benefits everyone. Since Bush needn't worry about re-election, he can be as liberal or magnanimous as his maturing soul might demand.
Here is another completely unscientific proof of his recent, and perhaps televised, evolution:
He resembled Andy Griffith.
Let me explain. While normally, Mister Bush will resemble Paul Wolfowitz, Pat Robertson or Karen Hughes, being a shape-shifter and all -- on tonight's performance, he, during his best moments, looked like Andy Griffith. The consummate liberal. And during his first presidential campaign, he sounded like Martin Luther King. I suspect he would watch or listen to these folks, on tape or in person, and then imitate, consciously or un-, that person.
I don't know if he actually met with, or studied, Andy Griffith. I like to think he didn't, and that, instead, he evolved into Andy Griffith, much like Walt Whitman was reputed to have evolved into cosmic consiousness.
Andy Griffith is who people want to see being the sheriff, or chief law dude, as the kids say.
A benevolent friend who uses his power to make life better for everyone.
May Bush become that benevolent friend who uses his power to make life better for everyone.
Everyone.
