Though never a fan of George W. Bush, I hereby join the chorus of praise of the former president for his landmark speech yesterday in which he lambasted Donald Trump without ever mentioning him by name.
Dubya’s remarks amounted to a worthy summation of true Americanism and a warning against the bully-boy brand of politics practiced by Trump. He condemned the excessive nationalism touted by the current occupant of the White House, arguing that it alienates America from many of its democratic friends around the world.
Bush also spoke out against racial and ethnic bigotry, which seems far more common among so many of Trump’s fondest admirers.
All in all, the speech amounted to what one veteran pundit called Bush’s “finest hour.”
Of course, this worthy oratory on Bush’s part is not likely to change history’s generally negative judgment of his presidency. But it won’t hurt.
You probably have heard that Barack Obama also spoke out yesterday against Trumpism, and effectively so. But Bush’s speech, coming from our most recent Republican president, likely had greater and more lasting impact.
Again, I’ve never been a great admirer of Dubya, but I’m suddenly reminded of the old saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
By that standard, George W. Bush is now my friend.
