I didn't see this diaried anywhere today, so forgive me if it's a repeat.
Ronald Brownstein has an interesting column in the LA Times today in which he makes the case that the former president Bush most resembles is James K. Polk, the guy who came before Lincoln.
To quote:
Polk may be the only predecessor who matched Bush's determination to drive massive change on a minute margin of victory. Polk won by fewer than 38,000 votes of 2.7 million cast. Over four tumultuous years, he pursued an ambitious, highly partisan agenda that offered little to those who had voted against him. Sound familiar?
More:
Strong on vision but weak on building consensus, Polk advanced his goals more than seemed possible in a closely divided country. But Polk's tactics deepened the nation's divisions and fanned the flames that later exploded into the Civil War.
This is definitely worth a read! Polk -- guess what -- started an unpopular, totally unnecessary war with Mexico:
After completing the annexation of the independent Republic of Texas negotiated under his predecessor, Polk immediately targeted the vast Mexican holdings from the Southwest through California.
When Mexico wouldn't sell him the territory, Polk claimed that the border of Texas extended much farther South than when it had been a Mexican state, and provocatively sent U.S. troops to occupy the disputed terrain. Mexico, which had rattled sabers itself, attacked and war began. It didn't end for nearly two years, proving much costlier and bloodier than the president had anticipated.
It turns out that bold, visionary moves, even if they are successful, do not a revered or memorable presidency make:
Polk eventually won the war and added to American territory an expanse that included California, New Mexico, Arizona and big pieces of the Mountain West. Yet in the process Polk sharpened conflict not only between the two major parties but within his own party, and deepened the antagonism between Northerners (many of whom sought to bar the spread of slavery into the newly acquired lands) and the South.
My favorite part is the last paragraph:
Part of Lincoln's genius, as one close advisor wrote, was his understanding that in the pursuit of national unity, it was the task of the president "to mollify and moderate" the country's fractious interests and diverse viewpoints. That's one reason Lincoln is revered and Polk, for all his ferocious accomplishments, is barely remembered.
Yes! Exactly -- Bush is making so many enemies, has embittered so many people both out of and in his own party, I think the repercussions will be long-lasting, and NOT in his favor.
I just wanted to point out this interesting column.