I have never particularly regarded President Bush as a wordsmith. Actually, the speeches practically make my ears bleed. But mark this day down in history, because its taken me six years, but this may be the first time I was ever truly impressed with something the President said. Check out this Bush Q & A from The Note
Here was what a fellow citizen of the president asked:
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As a leader, as many of us are going to need to know here because we’re going to be leaders in just a few years, what’s the best way that you go about preparing yourself for attacks on your character, and how do you deal with others in those matters?
Yes, we know, its another one of these formatted Town Halls news events. Obviously what the President says here is not off the cuff. But read this response. Watch the rhythm and the tone, how it evolves across the paragraphs and how he takes it home in the end (all emphasis added):
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I appreciate that. I would summarize it: faith, family and friends. (Applause.) I am sustained mightily by the fact that millions of citizens — for whom I’ll never get to thank personally — pray for me. It’s hard for me to describe why I feel that way, why I’m so sustained. I guess it’s just called faith. And I’m sustained by my family. And there’s nothing better than going home to somebody who understands and is sympathetic and is part of — we’re working together. I mean, Laura’s job is just as important as mine in many ways.
The girls still love me. (Laughter.) I really love them. And then there’s my man, Barney, a little Scottish terrier. (Laughter.) I say this — and Laura will be furious at me — he’s the son I never had, you know? (Laughter.)
Yeah, corny. But give it some space. He’s not done yet, and he won’t entirely fall down the folksy road.
I believe in what I’m doing. And I understand politics, and it can get rough. I read a lot of history, by the way, and Abraham Lincoln had it rough. I’m not comparing myself to Abraham Lincoln, nor should you think just because I mentioned his name in the context of my presidency — I would never do that. He was a great President. But, boy, they mistreated him. He did what he thought was right.
A lot of politicians, a lot of Presidents have gone through some tough times in the presidency, and I understand that. One of my biggest disappointments is the tone in Washington, D.C. I’ve done my best to try to elevate the tone. I just — needless name-calling, to me, is beneath the dignity of the office of the President. (Applause.) I also make time in my day not only for prayer, but also — and my family, but also for exercise. I found that part of keeping a positive outlook is to kind of burn off that excess energy, you know what I’m saying? (Laughter.) I work out, I try to work out five or six days a week. It’s really important — if you feel that’s important for your life, to schedule your life. In other words, I have trouble with people saying, I’m so busy I can’t exercise. I don’t think you’re too busy for things that are important in your life, and you can figure out ways to make time in your life.
And so I’m the kind of guy — I’m not running too well these days; I’m not running hardly at all. It’s kind of like my knees are like tires, you know, and they’re bald. (Laughter.) I’m a mountain bike guy. And it’s a fantastic experience.
I think to answer your — summarize your question, is to make sure that you’ve got good priorities in your life. By having good priorities in your life, it helps you keep perspective on your life. And perspective is very important, as you assume responsibility. Thanks for the question.
Yeah, I know, its not poetry, its not Webster, its not even Bartlet. But try to read it again, this time reading only what I have in italics. Its selective, yes, but at the same time, it is almost like he’s turned his speaking style around. There’s some rhythm and flow to it, some dramatic pause, some actual character in the line. And I haven’t heard it spoken aloud, which is a little unfortunate. But in the lead up to SOTU, its almost as if — and I’m shocked to say this — Bush could actually give a decent speech.
