Bush & Abramoff: The New Clinton & Lewinski

Honor & Dignity?  

In 2000, George Bush “promised to "restore honor and dignity to the White House."” Having found faith himself, and knowing that his presidential hopes were dependent on wide support from faith-based groups, he emphasized moral character throughout his campaign. Bush galvanized his Christian support by playing-up the sinful ways of a philandering president Clinton. It is hard to imagine any issue that could have been a more effective political tool for conservatives.

The problem, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Great Article by Bill Press: Connecting the dots

Bush has fallen. He has lied, broke the law, and has generally failed to to live up to any measure of “honor or dignity.” It is one thing to make a mistake, it is another to vow not to make a mistake and yet still stumble.

Bush has reacted to questions about Jack Abramoff in the same way that Clinton reacted to Monica Lewinski speculation. Both presidents attempted to maintain their innocence in the face of mounting piles of evidence to the contrary. While Clinton, a man of intellectual sophistication and charisma, attempted to play mind-games with his pursuers; Bush as resorted to faux-principled indignation about even being accused of malfeasence in his presidential duties.