The other day, Barry-s Head intimated that I might have a man crush on the President. Today, Barry-s wonders if my "contrarian bent is at work here-- would [the Farmer] support 43 if he had a 95% approval rating? Or is it [Farmer's] inclination to support the President no matter what (as in the earlier post on his theoretical support for H-44)? Or is it because 43 is Republicanish?"

As I have said before, my affinity for the President is admitted and well-documented.

For a one-stop-shopping post that delves deeply into this subject, you might start here.

But, in a few words, Barry-s is on to something in re my natural "contrarianism." While I am a big fan of the combined wisdom of the ages, I am inclined to buck the conventional wisdom of the moment; it is often facile, myopic and hyperbolic.

If you listen to the mob, George Bush is:

--stupid
--another Hitler
--the worst president in US history
--prosecuting a war in the interest of Halliburton, big oil and revenge for his father
--filling the courts with right-wing jurists intent on taking away all our liberties
--sitting atop an administration intent on taking away all our liberties
--the puppet of corporate America
--unprecedentedly partisan
--unprecedentedly secretive
--presiding over the worst economy of a generation

I can prove empirically that none of those common accusations are valid. Nevertheless, these incendiary and patently false "truisms" define Bush's term as president for many Americans.

Whether on the playground, or on the blogosphere, I have always attempted to resist the "tyranny of the majority" and work toward a degree of objectivity and fairness.

Objective Analysis

The truth is Bush has made some mistakes and made some bad moves. The truth is that all presidents have always had vociferous opponents who believed that the Republic was in danger as a result of his excesses.

The truth is that this President--like the vast majority of his predecessors--loves America, is doing the best job that he can, and deserves our support.

The truth is that the Presidency is a very tough job (perhaps it has even become an impossible job).

The Good News for radical Bush-loathers: We get the chance to change leaders every four years. The Constitution says that this particular president is finished in less than seventeen months, at which time we will install a new head of state.

The Bad News for radical Bush-loathers: The next president is NOT going to be radically different from this one.

Post Script: In answer to Barry-s last query, of course, I possess an extra degree of understanding and sensitivity for members of my own political tribe. This is human nature. That is, I am inclined to give my guy the benefit of the doubt--and feel for him more.

But we can watch me in the years to come to see if I keep to my pledge to support the next president--regardless of her party affiliation.