The opening of the George W. Bush library on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas has focused a bit more of the spotlight on the former president of late. By all indications he doesn't miss Washington, loves being in Texas and the return to being a very private citizen, which should endear him to more people in the next few weeks.
In an interview with POLITICO the former President made it very clear, his interests now are more focused on the aids and cervical cancer problems in Africa than the wrestling match between democrats and republicans inside the beltway.
A new grandfather and a private man since leaving the White House, GW told POLITICO that he thinks history will judge his administration as "deliberative" on important issues. He says that he misses the people he worked with IN Washington, but not Washington itself.
And who can blame him for that?
Pegged as an evil "neo-con" by the TEA party types and pilloried as a war-monger and pawn of big business by the democrats its no wonder that the former president prefers to stay off of the political stage. For those of us who've been on one, it is not a victory circle, but more like a bulls-eye.
History will sift through the facts of his presidency and filter out much of the spin and criticism, and when all is said and done, despite the attempts by the current occupant to blame all of his own failures on his predecessor, history will sort that out too and the Obama legacy will be reduced to one accomplishment.
I recall in 2000 when George W. Bush took the stage at the Republican National Convention. We had just labored through eight years of moral misery under the administration of a man who debased the oval office, abused women, lied under oath and was impeached in office.
The lights in the arena were down low as a light from the back of the main stage came on, and then without warning, standing there back-lit by that bright light was the unmistakable outline of George W. Bush. The place erupted in applause.
It wasn't just the chance to elect a republican. It wasn't just a chance to fight off Al Gore. It was a moment when we who were assembled there knew that the man who stood on that stage was a good man, a moral man, a devout Christian, a family man, and a humble man stepping up to do a job in an environment filled with hatred, and daggers and those who would do him harm.
And now, as we look back, and consider the circumstances that defined his term of office, we know that an incredible burden fell upon his shoulders within the first few months, and how he rallied the nation together, held us together and held us in his heart.
And now, in hindsight, comparing his presidency as sandwiched in between the philanderer in chief and the angry hurtful man who occupies the White House now, I can't help but think how that bright light that illuminate him from behind at first was joined by a bright light that illuminated him from the front next and how tall he seemed to stand compared to the disgrace he replaced and the horror which has followed.
Let's hope this week in the spotlight will inspire equal or better memories for him and his family.
