King of the World

The other night President Bush delivered a primetime press conference for the first time in his second term. As far as press conferences go, it had no big surprises. He came out, made his way through some good points without really making it clear they were good points and then entertained inane questions for forty minutes. A day in the park as far as Washington goes. But when it was over, one question really stuck with me. A journalist, Terry something-or-other, asked the President how he could say that we are winning the War on Terror considering that terrorist attacks are at an all-time high, internationally speaking, according to some State Department figures. Despite the gaffes and solecisms, Bush ultimately responded to the question succinctly by reminding the journalists that the way to defeat terrorism was to go to the source and render them inoperable on their own turf. Fair enough.

My problem with this whole exchange wasn't so much the answer as it was the question. I disagree with the premise, which is not surprising considering the source. It seems that young Terry was insinuating that President Bush was somehow responsible for preventing and/or the cause of terrorist attacks in every country on the planet. It isn't enough anymore that we have not been attacked since September 11th, almost four years ago. Now Bush has to ensure everyone, everywhere is protected by his courage, his military strength and his vision in order to satisfy the liberal left at home. Terrorist attacks will continue until the job at hand is completed, despite the hemming and hawing of the leftist detractors in America. The same yellow-bellied folk that suggest that Bush is a cowboy meddling in international affairs are now suggesting that he take on the collosal task of being President and babysitter of the globe.