George Bush undoubtedly woke up this morning with a terrible sinking sensation: Soon the Obamas would be coming.
And that's the international story line, here's W facing this extreme humiliation, having to welcome the man who repudiates him in every instance.
Indeed, his antithesis, with whom he must make small talk today, has already announced that all the Bush policies that are reversible will be reversed.
The media tone is of a unique and historic vindication. Bush, the usurper, is publicly mortified, shorn of self-respect.
He deserves it, of course. His certainty and self-righteousness bring him to this ignominious morning.
But let me suggest a slightly less giddy emphasis. It would be a truer, more cautionary story line to suggest that Obama, perhaps in danger of Bush levels of self-righteousness himself (the army of Obama-ites is certainly an ever-more-righteous one), ends up here also.
Indeed, it would be a more interesting view to wonder to what extent the new president might identify with the departing guy, if he can begin his tenure not victoriously but humbly, with some sense that he will be shown the door in a relatively short time, too.
(AP Image)
