Obama’s Thorough Repudiation of Bush
Jul 31, 2020149K Shares5.3M Views
I suppose it’s hardly the most surprising point to make about the change-we-can-believe-in president, but it was striking how willing Obama was to repudiate the Bush administration in announcing his appointments. He’s keeping Bob Gates, indeed, but with direct orders to end the Iraq war. Torture? Both he and Attorney General-designate Eric Holder stressed the “constitutional guarantees that define us as a nation” (Holder) and how “America’s values are America’s greatest export” (Obama) and how “the attorney general serves the American people” — an unsubtle shot at how Bush placed his personal lawyer, Alberto Gonzales, atop the Justice Dept. Rather than sending one of the United Nations’ most implacable enemies to represent the U.S. at the world body, Obama is sending one of his most trusted advisers, and giving her the equivalent of cabinet rank, with the clear mission of “strengthening international institutions.”
I wonder what President Bush must have thought when he heard these announcements. Particularly when Obama delivered this line:
“„We can shape our times instead of being shaped by them. Together, we will meet the challenges of the 21st century not with fear, but with hope.
It’s pretty clear who tried to met the challenges of the 21st century in the most isolated, intellectually cramped and fearful ways possible.
Dexter Cooke
Reviewer
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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