Palin the Populist

We've never seen a presidential meltdown like this. George W. Bush's weakness is not all lame-duckship. In the last year of his presidency Ronald Reagan met with Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow and helped change the world. In the penultimate year of his presidency, Bill Clinton sent U.S. troops, successfully, into Kosovo.

After the first bailout failed, Mr. Bush spoke like a man who was a mere commentator, not the leader in a crisis.

We witness here a great political lesson. When you are president, it matters—it really matters—that a majority of the people support and respect you. When you squander that affection, you lose more than mere popularity. You lose the ability to lead when your country is in crisis.

President George W. Bush may have been a good leader but for 9/11. He lost focus on the perpetrators and swung wildly at anyone wearing a rag on his head. He recklessly disregarded the Constitution and the liberties of the American people. Congress (except Ron Paul) willingly paid for it and is equally accountable.