sm, just for the record, Gerald Ford was one of the most athletic presidents we've had. An accomplished football player, and more.
When people think of presidents and golf, most think of Eisenhower. However, the best golfer we've had as president was FDR. He was on the brink of going pro before he was stricken with polio.
As for Bush: oh, yeah. He's dumb. He campaigned in 2000 on a promise of a $1.6 trillion tax cut that everyone said would never happen, and the Democrats said "not in our lifetime." He got, what, $1.3 trillion? Pretty dumb.
During the 2004 campaign, he promised to overhaul Social Security. Everyone said it would never happen and, again, the Democrats said no. Now the discussion isn't whether or not we should overhaul the system, it's how. Even if Bush doesn't get the private accounts as he wants them, he still wins. Dumb?
After the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1994, Clinton basically did nothing.
After the 2001 attack, Bush said we're invading Afghanistan. "Impossible," said the press. "Another Viet Nam." "The Soviets failed, and so will we."
Hmmm. The Karzai government seems to be doing fairly well in a short period of time.
Before the Iraq invasion, the press--and some former military folks--were talking about 25% US casualty rates in Baghdad. We've lost 1700+ brave men and women over the last two years, and my thoughts and prayers go out to their families. But, considering that we invaded the most heavily-armed Middle Eastern country, one that had the best-trained troops and tanks galore, that's a low casualty rate. In one day of fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, the US lost 5,000 troops.
Detractors said it was all about oil. Really? Then why is oil at $58+ a barrel?
Detractors said it was a "gimme" to Halliburton, the most qualified company to do the job, and one that came in under budget and ahead of schedule.
Detractors said that the Iraqi people would never embrace democracy, as though they were some sort of alien race with green skin and six eyes.
When was the last time anyone here went to vote with terrorists threatening to kill you if you did? Iraq had a higher percentage of voter turnout than we've seen in the US in decades.
Detractors said the Middle East would be inflamed, and that every country would turn against us.
I guess that's why Ghadifi decided to surrender his WMD's, and the Saudi's are experimenting with free elections, and the Palestinians have elected a leader who will actually try to control the jihadists while he talks with the Israeli's.
Several years from now, we'll be able to judge the wisdom of Bush going into Iraq. My guess is that we'll find a much better environment in the Middle East.