There's a new argument emerging among supporters of the Ground Zero mosque. Distressed by President Obama's waffling on the issue, they're calling on former President George W. Bush to announce his support for the project, because in this case Bush understands better than Obama the connection between the war on terror and the larger question of America's relationship with Islam. It's an extraordinary change of position for commentators who long argued that Bush had done grievous harm to America's image in the Muslim world and that Obama represented a fresh start for the United States. Nevertheless, they are now seeing a different side of the former president.George W. Bush has been the anti-Clinton and anti-Carter since he left office. While those two Democrats have never missed an opportunity to inject themselves into the political debates, Bush has stayed silent and I imagine he'll stay silent on this issue as well.
"It's time for W. to weigh in," writes the New York Times' Maureen Dowd. Bush, Dowd explains, understands that "you can't have an effective war against the terrorists if it is a war on Islam." Dowd finds it "odd" that Obama seems less sure on that matter. But to set things back on the right course, she says, "W. needs to get his bullhorn back out" -- a reference to Bush's famous "the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!" speech at Ground Zero on September 14, 2001.
I find it hilarious that people who had no use for Bush when he was president suddenly see him as the wise man whose words can save their man-child president.
1 comment:
"How weird is this?"
Pretty dang. Danged amusing, too. And if he did make a comment, they'd blame him for "muddying the water".
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