President Bush- Up to his eyeballs in charisma. [View All]

[democrank]

Whenever I see a White House reporter speaking from the Crawford Ranch, I can hardly take my eyes off that tractor or the hay bales. Country. Uncomplicated. Down home. Regular. A refreshing change from the hubbub of everyday American life. It`s almost as though some MSNBC producer said, "Give me a Norman Rockwell shot." Get down and folksy with The Main Man. Turn your red bandana so the knot faces West. It warms my heart so to know our president is....well....just like us.

President Bush has an uncanny ability to put people at ease, smooth over their troubles and make things right again. Remember the recent G-8 summit? There he was, relaxed and comfotable, just as any man might be sitting on a bar stool next to his best friend chomping down a handful of tortilla chips. I could imagine him humming Make the World Go Away and calling on that charming grin which says...Don`t worry, be happy.

Early on Bush learned the value of the My Pet Goat approach. Whether it was the Twin Towers in flames, people drowning during Hurricane Katrina or bridges being bombed in Lebanon, President Bush kept his cool. Took a different route. Marched to a different drummer. Did he arrive in Baghdad with a forehead full of frowns and concern? No. He brought a turkey and yukked it up with the guys. Now that`s real bravery, when you can remain calm as others are being blown up. Never let `em see you sweat. Remember his National Guard stint? The guy was just plain unruffled. He knew he could work on a political campaign and fight a war at the same time. He has been so clear all along. Life IS just a bowl of cherries and I thank him for reminding us about that.

There is a magnetism there, something that draws real Americans to this man`s side. I`ll never forget how Mr. Bush responded to a reporter`s question about terrorism. Did he allow the liberal media to detour around all the good news? No. He grabbed his golf club and said, "Now watch this drive." That is is real leader.