Byron Williams, Mercury News: George W. Bush "most significant president since FDR"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Byron Williams: President George W. Bush most significant president since FDR
By Byron Williams
Contributing columnist
Posted: 01/06/2011 12:01:00 AM PST

WHO KNOWS what future historians will conclude about the eight years of former President George W. Bush?

Will hindsight lift him to the contemporary heights of Harry Truman, whose legacy has enjoyed a resurrection? Or will Bush remain perilously close in comparison to James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce and Andrew Johnson -- presidents who consistently rank in the bottom quartile?

It's not too early to conclude that Bush is the most significant commander in chief since Franklin Roosevelt.

That's right! The man who many consider an accidental president, the beneficiary of a stolen election who lacked intellectual curiosity, is the most noteworthy president since FDR.

Significant is not a word that one should associate as positive or negative. I have chronicled in this column too often to count my philosophical differences with the 43rd president -- from the Iraq invasion and occupation to tax cuts ad nauseam -- but I cannot dismiss his significance.

I base presidential significance on the overall impact, and does that impact outlast the president's administration. Using that barometer, Bush's significance is unquestioned.

Although it seems unlikely that Bush referred to the Constitution as a "g** d*** piece of paper," as some have claimed, there were moments when he acted as if that was the sum total of his feeling for this country's most cherished document.

It also can be argued that Bush seductively used the language of patriotism and faith to carry out a very activist agenda, much of which remains with the country today.

The Patriot Act, passed on he heels of 9/11, not only sacrificed constitutional protections of liberty and privacy, it also negatively altered the system of checks and balances among the branches of the federal government.

http://www.mercurynews.com/columns/ci_17019214?nclick_check=1

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. I think that's true... noteworthy can be bad

as well as good.

[NV Whino]

2. Can't disagree with the word significant.

[meegbear]

3. He's the BESTEST!!1!

Pathetic dribble.

[Martin Eden]

4. GW certainly had a SIGNIFICANT and lasting IMPACT

Historians will remember the CheneyBush administration as doing more than any other to bring about the downfall of the Late Great United States :mad:

[DCKit]

5. Also, the most significant international figure since Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot.

Is there such a thing as a small delusion with those who would name him "Bestestest pResident Evah!!!!"?

I predict he's going to be as big, maybe even bigger than St. Ronnie.

[liberal N proud]

6. Lies up on lies, Significant but not in a positive way

They have to project this theme in an effort to thwart off what history is eventually going to expose about the bu$h regime.

[Demeter]

7. WORST. PRESIDENT. EVER.

Works for me--always did.

[sadbear]

8. Nero was a significant Roman emperor

[tomm2thumbs]

9. Saddam Hussein was 'significant' - at least he got justice for his crimes

our criminals walk around in Texas tripping over their loose brains