Bush: “I’m the Decider”
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James Joyner | Wednesday, April 19, 2006 |
President Bush yesterday backed Secretary Rumsfeld and said he still had his full confidence.
“I listen to all voices, but mine is the final decision,” he said. “And Don Rumsfeld is doing a fine job. He’s not only transforming the military, he’s fighting a war on terror. He’s helping us fight a war on terror. I have strong confidence in Don Rumsfeld. I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I’m the decider, and I decide what is best. And what’s best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense.”
From this truism–the president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the one who gets to decide whether to keep his cabinet officials around–Joe Gandleman deduces that Bush does not understand democracy, congressional oversight, or the value of professional advice.
Here’s another way to read it: Bush taking responsibility for his administration and doubling down on his bets.
Who was the decider on Iraq? Hint: His initials are GWB. Yes, he got strong bipartisan support from Congress but it would not have happened were it not for his leadership.
If Iraq breaks down into a civil war, fragments into several states, or otherwise does not emerge as a stable democratic ally of the United States in the region, who gets the blame? Hint: It ain’t Donald Rumsfeld.
To use a sports analogy, Bush is the head coach. He’s lost more games than the fans expected but still has a shot at the playoffs. The sportswriters are calling for a change at quarterback. Who gets to decide? The coach. It’s his team.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Gandleman is a boob. Ignoring six retired officers does not amount to ignoring the military as a whole.
So he wants the President of the United States to bend to popularity polls? We'll see if he feels the same way about a Democratic President, if the kooks can ever produce a viable candidate.
Joe Gandleman deduces that Bush does not understand democracy, congressional oversight, or the value of professional advice
Probably be shorter to ask just what bush does understand, answer not much.
To use a sports analogy, Bush is the head coach
I have a hint for you this is not a stupid football game. George isn't the coach but if he were he would have been fired already. To use this absurd analogy is to reveal why all the repubs are behind it. You're just cheering for the team, wasn't George a cheerleader in college.
Who was the decider on Iraq? Hint: His initials are GWB Well you got that right this is George's war and he will go down as the worst president ever.
Bush taking responsibility for his administration and doubling down on his bets
Only a fool increases a bet on a losing hand but then look who we are talking about. George may not be the world's biggest fool but when that person dies George will get the job.
'George may not be the worldâ??s biggest fool but when that person dies George will get the job. '
He's probably not interested in your pizza delivery job.
Ah, the George Allen school of representative democracy.
It's nice to see people who understand the use of an analogy to help explain a point.
Let's try the facts as they are. Bush is the president of the United States and hires and fires as he sees fit while ultimately being responsible for the job that his subordinates do. Given those facts it is inappropriate for others to expect him to listen to a few retired generals (too weak to complain while in uniform)or to fire a competent defense secretary. He's the boss, elected by the people, for a few more years.
Yes, but Bush never gets the unasked question - what if you decide wrong?
I honestly don't think he believes that's possible...
legion: Maybe so. But, then, he got re-elected well after making the decision to go into Iraq and well after the insurgency broke out. He gets until January 20, 2009 barring resignation, death, or impeachment to do it his way.
Yep, we're stuck with a loser, and the losers he appoints, for a couple more years. Nice break down on the analogy, Jacob.
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