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What Might Bush Regret?

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What Might Bush Regret?

posted at 11/12/2008 12:07 PM EST

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DanFroomkin

First post: 11/10/2008
Last post: 4/27/2009
Total posts: 22

Nearing the bitter end of eight ruinous years in office, President Bush still can't think of a single substantive thing he did wrong. Asked if he had any regrets in a CNN interview yesterday, Bush copped to a few public-relations gaffes. As he has many times before, he said he regretted some of his early cowboy rhetoric -- "bring 'em on" and "dead or alive." He also said he regretted the "Mission Accomplished" banner aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in May 2003. But that was it.

In my column today, I suggest a few of the most spectacularly obvious questions the next reporter who gets a sit-down with the president might well ask. For instance: Would he, in retrospect, have prepared differently for the occupation? Does he wish he had issued clearer directives against torture in Iraqi prisons? Would he, in hindsight, have been more skeptical of the WMD intelligence? Does he regret not having heeded that pre-9/11 briefing on the threat posed by Osama bin Laden? Does he regret not having done more to prevent the destruction of New Orleans?

But let me ask you readers: What else might Bush reasonably regret? Or, alternately, why is he right not to regret anything beyond a few communication flubs?

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Who will want to talk to Bush?

posted at 11/12/2008 12:53 PM EST

bevjims1

First post: 5/26/2007
Last post: 8/8/2009
Total posts: 202

Just as Obama's victory was greated with almost the same exhuberence as VJ-day, the view of Bush by most people, even republicans, is that he was a failure, not just failure through negligence, but an active failure. In the light of everyone looking to Obama for answers to problems Bush left to fester, I doubt anyone will want to seek an interview with Bush. I see Bush going out like Nixon, with just a little less shame though he deserves more.

I'm very curious who will want to pay Bush to speak so Bush can "fill the coffers". Few paid Nixon to speak though I am sure his experience was great. I mean, does anyone think Bush has anything rising to the level of wisdom to contribute? People still seek out Carter, Clinton and even Bush I, but they were leaders who understood the world and how it works and can offer the wisdom of their experience. But Bush II, really...

Bush will fade away as Nixon did, with few wanting to listen to him, most ignoring any free advice he wants to give, and in just a few years people will wonder what happened to him if they think of him at all. No one will think back to the good ol days of Bush. When he appears in public people will groan. That is his future, one he built for himself though his "hard work".

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Part of the Problem is Not Recognizing there's a Problem

posted at 11/12/2008 12:56 PM EST

necniv

First post: 7/12/2008
Last post: 11/12/2008
Total posts: 4

I can't believe he wouldn't recognize that other issues could have been handled better. Here are my top three:

Horrible Hurricane Katrina response
No clue that the home loan / derivatives disaster loomed
Not speaking out more forcefully against Abu Gareb

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I can't believe I'm writing this...

posted at 11/12/2008 1:13 PM EST

JohnLease

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 11/12/2008
Total posts: 2

After 8 years of Bush's reverse Midas touch, I'm feeling a little bit sorry for him. He just can't seem to recognize his stupendous errors. He is such a flawed person, I think he truly believes he was 'right'. Which takes self delusion to a whole new level.

I'm putting on my thinking cap for a top ten list, that's going to take some serious pruning.

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Bush Regret?

posted at 11/12/2008 1:18 PM EST

kengelhart

First post: 2/26/2008
Last post: 10/14/2009
Total posts: 173

Maybe after a few years in prison or living under freeway overpasses his feelings would change.

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Re: What Might Bush Regret?

posted at 11/12/2008 1:20 PM EST

googler-in-chief

First post: 8/12/2008
Last post: 11/12/2008
Total posts: 7

Replying to:

Dan, I admire you articles and writings for the insight they offer.

There may be numerous reasons to hate Pres. G.W.Bush, but his action in Iraq, Afghanistan, New Orleans are not among those reasons.

I can enumerate countless incidences in real life when a corporate officer or a local government officer knowingly procrastinates on issues that negatively impacts ordinary people. So if any blame has to be put it is on local governments and corporates who fail to fulfill their daya to day obligations to people, which accumulates over period of time to become disasters that we have to suffer.

I thank Pres. G.W. Bush for assuring us that he is not getting senile with age by not exhibiting delirium during his interview with CNN.

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FREE MARKET IN FREE FALL

posted at 11/12/2008 1:21 PM EST

rmorris391

First post: 1/5/2008
Last post: 11/10/2009
Total posts: 200

When Bush insisted on re-birthing Reaganomics, so called Supply Side economics, also known as Trickle Down economics. WE THE PEOPLE could have paid more attention. Even Bush's father referred to these dubious "theories" as "VOODOO ECONOMICS".

When Bush insisted on reducing the tax rate for the richest tax-payers in America, we could have paid more attention. Even some weatlhly folks questioned the wisdom of cutting tax rates.

When Bush insisted on privatizing Social Security, WE THE PEOPLE did say, "NO THANKS." Just think if folks SS retirement nest eggs were wiped out by the recent Financial market mismanagement. 401K plans aside, many folks can only rely on SS checks.

When Bush insisted on using US Treasury funds for the bailout of Wall Street financial titans, WE THE PEOPLE felt like Bush held a gun to our heads.

It is hard to imagine how Bush a FREE MARKET cheerleader, could switch over to BIG SPENDER, BIG LENDER, BIG DEBTOR.

Does Bush accept any responsibility for leading the US into DEBTOR NATION status? Bush might be remembered for his advice to Americans, after 9-11 attacks: "go shopping!"

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Re: What Might Bush Regret?

posted at 11/12/2008 1:23 PM EST

ZZim

First post: 1/22/2008
Last post: 11/30/2009
Total posts: 1910

Replying to:

What else might Bush reasonably regret? Or, alternately, why is he right not to regret anything beyond a few communication flubs?
Posted by DanFroomkin

Overall, I thnk he's done a pretty good job. Like Clinton (who I also think was a good President), Bush governed more toward the center than most of his party would have liked. I think that this had the odd effect of making both men less popular. With all the savage politics-of-personal destruction going on in Washington, you need a few savages on your side. And if your side doesn't support you, well, then you've sorta been hung out to dry.

Obama, on the other hand, can say or do anything he likes and the press totally covers for him. It's kind of annoying but hey, what else should we expect? Personally I think the Obama years will have many positive effects. Maybe the press will grow accustomed to the habit of building up a President instead of tearing one down. So instead of having a distorting efftedc on American politics, the press could be a strenthening factor. Froomkin, by the way, epitomized this journalistic style. It's easy and intellectually lazy but it sells newspapers, so we're probably stuck with it.

One potential positive effect might be to tone down the politics-of-personal destruction stuff, but I kind of doubt it. Palin got shredded by it, not least because she really was an actual outsider. Hopefully both parties will have learned their lesson and will only pick Washington insiders pretending to be outsiders in the future.

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Regrets Bush might consider

posted at 11/12/2008 1:36 PM EST

jonesjay

First post: 4/3/2008
Last post: 4/6/2009
Total posts: 5

1. suspension of Habeas Corpus

2. Torturing captives

3. Spying wholesale on Americans

4. lying to the American people and the world in order to start a war with Iraq

5. Essentially letting Osama Bin Laden escape Tora Bora

6. Politicizing the Justice Department by illegally firing attorneys

7. Terri Schiavo

8. manipulating/politicing the CIA and lying about it and then giving the director of the FBI a medal of Freedom to shut him up

9. Pandering to the religious right and blurring the the gap between church and state

10. Feeding Fox News talking points

11. Fear mongering in order to scare the American People

12. Demonizing critiques of your policies and firing those in your cabinet or generals who questioned your policies and methods.

13. Failing to lead

14. Numerous other illegal acts by those in your administration as well as gross violations of the contitution by yourself and your administration.e.g. signing statements

This is just the beginning of a long list but as with any "true believer"it does not surprise me that he cannot appreciate the wrongfullness of his actions. Recall that Machiavelli asserted that the end justifies the means.

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What might bush regret

posted at 11/12/2008 1:39 PM EST

jama452

First post: 10/19/2007
Last post: 9/17/2009
Total posts: 30

President photo-op seems incapable of accepting responsibility, a trait that could account for his administration.
He's no the buck stopes here, Truman.

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Re: What Might Bush Regret?

posted at 11/12/2008 1:43 PM EST

patrick69_69

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 11/12/2009
Total posts: 2

He can't point to any regrets because he was 'programmed' early on not to. Introspection is seen as a sign of weakness within the R ranks. He'll even go so far as to look you in the eye and tell you everything he did was defending the constitution.

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Regret #1

posted at 11/12/2008 1:48 PM EST

jeremyisett

First post: 9/25/2008
Last post: 11/12/2008
Total posts: 6

His first regret should be that he ran for US President.

_________

RE: Zzim [Overall, I thnk he's done a pretty good job.]

I like how you slide compliments in with your obvious partisanship; insults are always more effective that way. Yeah, the press was real hard on W Bush; remember how they made him speak like a fool, and then made him enact inane and backwards domestic policies, and then when bushy just wanted to start a war with Iraq they had the audacity to tear apart and thoroughly question his motives. Yeah that press sure was a b1tch.

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What? Me regret?

posted at 11/12/2008 1:52 PM EST

karraker630

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 11/17/2008
Total posts: 2

Unfortunately, he has few regrets because he's looking through the filter of his gut. Even if his gut was wrong, he has no regrets for following it.

I, however, have many regrets. The top being that this country actually elected him twice. At least my consience can be clear because I voted against him both times.

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Things Bush Should Regret

posted at 11/12/2008 1:57 PM EST

jeffc6578

First post: 9/17/2008
Last post: 11/30/2009
Total posts: 35

I think Jonesjay covered things pretty well, but i would add-

Tax cuts for the already wealthy
Financial deregulation
Moving FEMA into DHS
No-bid contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan
Dick Cheney, Dick Cheney, Dick Chaney (and his merry band of thieves)
Spending OUR money like a drunken sailor

There are more, but the list could become unmanageable quickly. Suffice it to say - Good Riddance, W.

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Preemptive Iraq War

posted at 11/12/2008 2:03 PM EST

jama452

First post: 10/19/2007
Last post: 9/17/2009
Total posts: 30

As a pacifist I recall being in the minority during bush/cheney's rush to preemptive war in Iraq.
I read a quote that felt eerily apropos:
Hitler's propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, once said, "It's easy to start a war. We just tell the people that they are in danger of being attacked, and label the antiwar protesters as being "unpatriotic."

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regrets, perhaps a few

posted at 11/12/2008 2:03 PM EST

Hebephrene

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 5/21/2009
Total posts: 5

It is difficult to ask someone if they have the capacity to be honest with themselves, but I think the key question for this man who has done so much damage to our country is whether he still sees it as necessary to divide the country to win an election. Of all the crimes and misdemeanors this seems the most haunting. He divided us in times of war. He accused his political opponents of aiding the terrorists and the best we can understand is that aided by reprobates like Rove and Cheney, it was all about his need to win. So does he regret the means? Given its terrible cost to our ability to even talk civilly about the issues we face?

I take for granted he can't express or allow himself regrets so I think the way in has to use the man's competitive drive as the only way to open a discussion that might be enlightening.

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one question

posted at 11/12/2008 2:07 PM EST

natty-bumppo

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 12/10/2008
Total posts: 4

If I had one question to ask GWB, it would be, "Mr. President, is there anything you know now that, if you had known it sooner, you would have implemented different policies or taken different actions than you did?"

It's kind of a generalized Can-You-Do-Reflection-at-All litmus test question.

I'd support the side that says GWB has nothing to regret except a few communications flubs. He got his Freudianly-determined war to prove himself stronger than daddy. He got his tax cuts for the rich. He got Valerie Plame outed to punish her husband for opposing his war. He got an energy policy written in secret by oil companies. He got to write off a Democratic city to disaster's aftermath. He got away with blatantly illegal wiretapping, torture, rendition, detentions and with suppressing habeas corpus. He put two anti-abortion pro-corporate perjurers on the Supreme Court. He set back world environmental progress by almost a decade. He rewarded his oil buddies with high prices most of his term. He limited womens' rights, made sure that city taxes went to rural venues, and Congress never laid a glove on him. What has he got to regret that he wanted and didn't get?

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Bush has everything to regret--in secret!

posted at 11/12/2008 2:11 PM EST

MPatalinjug

First post: 10/15/2007
Last post: 11/28/2009
Total posts: 103

Yonkers, New York
12 November 2008

George W. Bush is one Texas hombre who is not in the habit of ever admitting mistakes, especially big mistakes, and much less in the habit of regretting mistakes big and small--in public.

George W. may be that arrogant and hubristic because, as he has said, his best adviser is no less than Jesus Christ, who also happens to be his "best philospher"--but he is not really that callous nor really that stupid. He is still a human being like all the rest of us.

Soon he will be slinking back to his Crawford, Texas ranch--or to Paraguay where only recently he reportedly bought some 40,000 hectares of land--there in all likelihood to wonder and ponder how and why anything and everything he touched during all of his eight years as President and Commander-in-Chief turned to ashes.

Mariano Patalinjug
MarPatalinjug@aol.com

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Character defects

posted at 11/12/2008 2:13 PM EST

patsnruss

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 11/12/2008
Total posts: 1

Bush will never allow himself to feel regret because of a fatal character defect he, and many, MANY others, possess. That is, the 'superiority' of form over substance. Never, NEVER, admit you're wrong, unless admission is superficial, and made in attempt to SEEM wise. That is, never question yourself. Never look 'inside' to really find out why you feel the way you do. (And if your 'feelings' pass the test of critical thinking and reason.) This equals LACK OF WISDOM OR INSIGHT. The only thing that really matters is to LOOK GOOD. . .Don't necessarily BE GOOD. As said before, this is a FATAL character failure. I'm a moderate and pick and choose which side of issues I will land upon. After thinking about issue. I find NOTHING good about W. except that 'he's such a nice guy', and gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling. Let's pray that our next president, and Congress, will have the requisite wisdom to govern well, for EVERYONE.

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Might be easier

posted at 11/12/2008 2:15 PM EST

Jovi1

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 11/12/2008
Total posts: 1

I think it might be easier to list things he shouldn't regret and mistakes that he didn't make. The list would be shorter and wouldn't require as much time to come up with.

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