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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 OPINION 
10

His 'Bedrock Decency' Will Be Missed

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(Newser) – George W. Bush may not be judged kindly by history, but he was faithful, consistent, and above all compassionate, writes former White House official Jim Towey in the Wall Street Journal. It was “little acts behind the curtain” that “inspired intense loyalty by staff members." To those who knew him, “the president's true character rendered his media image pure caricature.” It is the real George Bush, this man of "bedrock decency," that Towey will miss.

Of course, writes Towey—who ran the president's faith-based initiatives office—many “Americans, particularly the ‘values voters’ who helped elect him twice, will miss him because of what he achieved,” including his Supreme Court appointments, AIDS relief in Africa, and his education initiatives. “History will decide whether George W. Bush was a successful president. But he was faithful. He had a charge to keep and he kept it.”

 President George W. Bush speaks with President-elect Barack Obama during a congratulatory phone.
President George W. Bush speaks with President-elect Barack Obama during a congratulatory phone.   (AP Photo)
President George W. Bush speaks at a legal conference.
President George W. Bush speaks at a legal conference.   (AP Photo)
President George W. Bush departs the White House.
President George W. Bush departs the White House.   (AP Photo)
United States President George W. Bush shows off the rawhide bone he bought for his Scottish Terrier, on Capitol Hill May 5, 2006 in Washington, DC.
United States President George W. Bush shows off the rawhide bone he bought for his Scottish Terrier, on Capitol Hill May 5, 2006 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
U.S. President George W. Bush walks with his dog Barney toward the Oval Office after returning to the White House from a visit to Canada December 1, 2004 in Washington, DC.
U.S. President George W. Bush walks with his dog Barney toward the Oval Office after returning to the White House from a visit to Canada December 1, 2004 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
U.S. President George W. Bush walks across the South Lawn with his pet dog Barney upon returning to the White House April 12, 2005 in Washington, DC.
U.S. President George W. Bush walks across the South Lawn with his pet dog Barney upon returning to the White House April 12, 2005 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
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Little acts behind the curtain like these inspired intense loyalty by staff members. They spoke of someone never too busy or burdened to care. - Jim Towey

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10 comments
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Newser001
Nov 8, 08 3:38 PM CST
Former White House official Jim Towey writes, George Bush is a "bedrock decency," please! He lied to all of us on just about every subject. Miss him... I can't wait until this moron is gone. Reply
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Mr.C
Nov 8, 08 3:44 PM CST
tell me some lies - I'd like to know what you are refering to
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Lula
Nov 8, 08 4:32 PM CST
I agree with you, newser001. And Mr. C. you know what he is refering to. Reply
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Newser001
Nov 8, 08 5:26 PM CST
Mr.C, 1.) Iraqi WMDs. 2.) The necessity of the Iraqi War. 3.) Manipulation of the Federal Judicial System (AG Gonzales)... Need I say more, because the list is seemingly endless...? Reply
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morenogabr
Nov 8, 08 6:01 PM CST
haha, sounds like an obituary Reply
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