Jewish World Review Jan. 29, 2001/ 16 Shevat, 5762

Gayle A. Cox

Gayle Allen Cox
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Consumer Reports

Bush hasn't changed, but our perceptions have


http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com -- AS President Bush prepares for his State of the Union address, I am preparing myself for a night of media elites discussing how much the president has "grown" since setting up house on Pennsylvania Avenue.

They have discussed his "growing" spurt countless times since Sept. 11, and I feel certain the subject will surface again during the traditional year-opening televised address tonight.

Indeed, our president appears larger than life these days. His approval numbers are through the roof, and his leadership in recent months has left all of us a little breathless. But any claims of "growth" where Mr. Bush is concerned are erroneous at best.

After all, when a person "grows," he becomes something different. He develops abilities that he didn't possess. He discovers new skills and new strengths. He is a new and improved individual.

Mr. Bush isn't "new and improved." He might seem that way to those who considered him a midget to begin with, but he isn't.

He is the same man who raised his right hand and took the oath of office on a frigid Jan. 20, 2001.

A man of character, courage and calm. A man who loves his country and trusts his Creator.

A strong man. A sensible man. Honest. Genuine. Decisive.

A man who respects his wife and adores his children. A man who gives honor to whom honor is due.

A charming man. Humble. Solid. Warm.

A man who abhors evil and embraces good. A compassionate man. A confident man.

A man with a track record of finding common ground with those of differing opinions. A man who brings people together.

A man capable of changing his behavior and learning from past mistakes.

A man who takes responsibility for past mistakes.

No passing the buck. No twisting the truth. No pointing fingers at someone else. Mr. Bush takes responsibility for the things he does and the words he speaks.

Occasionally, the words he speaks are a bit challenging to unravel, but he isn't deterred. He would rather speak the truth with a fuzzy tongue than speak lies with a tongue of silk.

He is who he is. He likes who he is. And he won't be silenced by those in the press who seek to portray him as a bumbling idiot, one drumstick shy of a blue-plate special.

He doesn't worry about a legacy, steal credit or pine for praise. He believes that America is great because of its people, not its president.

In his recent appearance at a John Deere factory in East Moline, Ill., he said, "I understand the great strength of our country. And it is the people."

Thus, in the aftermath of Sept. 11, he didn't rush to ground zero to hog the cameras, steal the spotlight or make a splash. He didn't need to. He is a true leader, and true leaders require no cameras to lead. They just lead, and the cameras follow.

So don't be duped. Despite the media elites' obvious amazement at Mr. Bush's soaring stature these days, he hasn't "grown" since taking office - not even an inch. It just has been a long time since so vast a shadow radiated from the West Wing of the White House, and the media elites simply forgot how tall a good man stands.


JWR contributor Gayle Allen Cox writes from Fort Worth. Comment on this column by clicking here.

Up

12/07/01: Driving out of an era
11/05/01: Flying the flag isn't a new habit for some of us
09/26/01: Sadly, the green trees among us don't get a lot of attention
08/26/01: Is eating on the run the next target of Big Brother government?
07/09/01: Teen tramps and the mothers who encourage them

© 2002, Gayle Allen Cox