Our Guiding Blight

I'll make this quick.

There's a great piece in the most recent issue of Esquire by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind in which he talks about the lessons to be learned from the spectacular failure of George W. Bush's presidency.

While reading it, I was struck by that one word -- the simple yet dauntingly powerful descriptor that, as much as it really does pain me to say it, sums up Bush perfectly: failure.

He is a failure in every sense of the word.

This morning, as the markets continued their downward spiral and anxious Americans once again awoke to fears of a complete economic collapse, George Bush stuck his head out of the White House, issued a quick statement that was more of a perfunctory pep talk than anything else -- one overflowing with platitudes but startlingly lean on actual substance -- then vanished back inside. He couldn't even muster his trademark cockiness or pinheaded swagger; he inspired no confidence whatsoever. In fact, he looked like a high school kid whom the teacher had made get up and address the class against his will. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but standing at that podium, talking to the country.

And it was a reminder that -- as in those first few moments after learning of the September 11th attacks, as in the days following Hurricane Katrina -- when there's an honest-to-God crisis that needs immediate attention, Bush can be counted on to barely be able to hide the fear in his eyes. This is his legacy. This is what we'll remember about him: his bald-faced incompetence during the times when we most needed strength and intelligence emanating from the highest office in the land.

When America needed a leader, it got a failure.

Under no circumstances should we forget this as we decide who will take the reins of this country next -- and take on the monumental challenge of cleaning up George W. Bush's disastrous mess.