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Posted Monday, January 19, 2009 3:18 PM

Wait! We're Not Done with Bush Yet...

Daniel Stone

Celebratory is a safe way to describe the mood in Washington. And not just for Barack Obama's big day on Tuesday. When Obama raises his right hand, it will mark for millions of his supporters the end of something else.

At Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington, today is Bush's day. And more specifically, his last one as president. For much of liberal-leaning Washington and the millions of visitors expected for the week, it's something worth celebrating.

Bill Moyer, president of the Backbone Campaign, took the inaugural week as an opportunity to almost literally turn the page on Bush's presidency by unveiling a 50 foot copy of the preamble of the Constitution. Set up in the middle of Dupont Circle, he wants anyone he can get to sign it -- a public commitment to upholding the constitution, reintroducing it after what he says is the document's tarnishing over Bush's term. "Now more than ever is a time not to delegate our role in where this nation needs to go," he says, standing in front of a dozen people, many on all fours, singing the document with Sharpies. After the inaugural, Moyer will take the document to 10 other cities around the country, adding an additional 200 feet of signing space before the banner is unveiled in New York in April.

On the other side of the circle, a more spirited political statement depicts a blown-up Bush, standing nearly 20 feet high. His long nose is a fairly obvious nod toward a certain fairy tale. And in referencing a different less-than-flattering presidential moment, the organizers also encouraged passers-by to throw shoes at the inflated Bush. Several sign holders beside the statue stand advocating for federal indictments of top administration officials, including Bush and VP Dick Cheney.



All over town, aversion to Bush is in full form on the president's last full day. When any president leaves office, the foes and critics he has picked up along the way are traditionally -- and reasonably -- pleased to see him go. But it seems that Bush's critics have created a new standard. (Don't forget that even at the beginning of Bush's first term, protesters shouted against the validity of Bush's electoral victory. The result of the 2000 election, eventually settled before the Supreme Court, was a nation far too divided to give Bush an Obama-like reception.)

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But now, are the blatant signals toward Bush's departure a bit much, especially during a week that's obviously supposed to be represent something completely new? After all, Obama did campaign on being a contrasting president to Bush, suggesting he's quite mindful of 43's slip ups.

What do you think? In the comments section below, tell us what role Bush's presidency should play as the country turns to Obama.

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Posted By: miamijer (January 23, 2009 at 2:54 PM)

"The result of the 2000 election, eventually settled before the Supreme Court, was a nation far too divided to give Bush an Obama-like reception."

Even if the election had not been close and turned out to be more decisive, Bush still would not have attracted all of the Hollywood celebs that turned out for Barry's coronation.  The "I Pledge" video is enough to make me toss my cookies!  Where were these bleeding heart liberals after 9/11?  Why didn't they throw their support behind Bush when he was president like Republicans are expected to do with Obama?  Celebs had the balls to "boo" Bush during the Oscars in '02.

"But now, are the blatant signals toward Bush's departure a bit much, especially during a week that's obviously supposed to be represent something completely new?"

So much for liberals and Democrats following their own PC ideology of "tolerance" towards different points of view or poltical ideologies.  I'm surprised that Michael Moore didn't have some kind of protest or PR stunt to bash Bush and draw attention to himself.  The "naah, naah, naah, naah, hey, hey, hey, good bye" chanting for Bush by the crowds at the mall was really mature!


Posted By: miamijer (January 23, 2009 at 2:41 PM)

"mess brought on by eight years of republican mis-rule/"

Last I checked, the Democrats controlled both Houses of Congress.  Yet Bush is to blame for everything?

"If not for Bush, the war would be over by now."  

The reality of the situation is that we would still be in Afghanistan.  Thus, the "war on terror" would not in fact be "over by now".

"Too many haters making too many comments to address them all."

This comment cracks me up since it proves my position concerning liberal ideology:  Liberals tolerate anything and everything as long as it agrees with their opinion and agendas.  However, if you don't agree with a liberal, you are automatically labeled an "intolerant racist bigoted hater"!


Posted By: hrob27 (January 22, 2009 at 4:52 AM)

Too many haters making too many comments to address them all. If you don't like Obama, that's fine, but the least you could do is give the man a chance before you criticize him. This is his first 100 days after all, and he is cleaning up a massive mess brought on by eight years of republican mis-rule. But blame only your boy Bush for the sendoff he's receiving. He brought this on himself. And by the way, the war on terror isn't coming to an end. Obama's sending 20,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban. Remember them? They're the ones who actually attacked NYC on 9/11. And until we made an unnecessary detour in Iraq (thanks to Bush!), the Taliban was crushed and on the run. If not for Bush, the war would be over by now. Keep that in mind the next time you want to talk *** about Obama.