Self-Evident

This falls squarely in the category of a self-evident truth: Defense Secretary Robert Gates considers "Obama more analytical" than George W. Bush.

Bush's Dubious Distinction

President George Bush has achieved a remarkable 76% disapproval rating, a rating significantly higher than Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.

Missing in Action

Thanks to hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, yesterday President Bush was forced to forgo an opening night appearance at the Republican National Convention while he stayed in Washington to monitor the situation, something he manifestly failed to do three years ago for Katrina. So with poll numbers the lowest ever for an incumbent president, John McCain was probably grateful for Bush's absence, notwithstanding the flak generated by his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. Tonight with the threat of Gustav diminished, Bush will be speak to the convention via satellite for about eight minutes and, clearly by design, before the networks begin televising the proceedings. In prepared remarks, Bush praises McCain as a worthy successor:

Some told him that his early and consistent call for more troops would put his presidential campaign at risk. He told them he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war. That is the kind of courage and vision we need in our next commander-in-chief.

When the debates have ended, and all the ads have run, and it is time to vote, Americans will look closely at the judgment, the experience, and the policies of the candidates — and they will cast their ballots for the McCain-Palin ticket.

Musharraf Exits

Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf resigned after nine years in office, a move largely precipitated by the opposition's attempt to impeach him. George W. Bush once called Musharraf "one of the world's most committed partners in the war against terrorism and extremism", an estimation only exceeded in fatuousness by Bush famously saying that he looked into Vladimir Putin's eyes and gazed upon his soul. And despite Bush's fulsome praise, Musharraf never quite lived up to the hype: within Pakistan's borders, the Taliban is reconstituted and Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawari, and al-Qaeda continue to avoid capture.

Monica Goodling, Loyal Public Servant

Monica Goodling is the Bush Justice Department aide who zealously sought to cultivate a cadre of "prosecutors and immigration judges who espoused conservative priorities and Christian lifestyle choices." This according to a report by the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility that found that "Goodling and others had broken civil service laws, run afoul of department policy and engaged in 'misconduct,' a finding that could expose them to further scrutiny and sanctions." Among the more fascinating questions posed by Goodling to job applicants: "What is it about George W. Bush that makes you want to serve him?"

What indeed.

Bush's G8 Farewell

In a defiant farewell to members of the G8, which is emblematic of his term in office, President Bush said: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter." January 2009 cannot get here soon enough.

Dubya's Sacrifice

Now I get it. After more than five years into the misadventure that is the war in Iraq, President Bush says he gave up golf in 2003 as an expression of solidarity with the families of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. Apparently without an iota of self-consciousness, Bush told the Politico: "I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief. I feel I owe it to families to be as - to be in solidarity as best I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."

Happy 5th Anniversary

Today marks the fifth anniversary of President Bush's address to the nation on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln; the banner displayed in the background emblazoned with the phrase MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Bush began his speech with the now equally memorable words: "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country."