Naked. Alone. Vulnerable.
Have you ever felt like that before? It's eerie. It's like that scene we see in the movies where the guy falls asleep and begins to dream. In his dream, he's walking down the street, happy as can be, only to notice that everyone he passes is laughing at him. He then realizes that the reason everyone is laughing is because he's completely naked. So, just like that, this guy goes from being on top of the world to feeling naked, alone and vulnerable.
Mr. President, I believe this nightmare sounds familiar to you.
On Sunday, "The W" sat down to chat with NBC's Tim Russert on "Meet the Press." The one-on-one setting was very unusual for a president who likes to keep himself at arm's length from the media. "The W" was forced to respond to Russert's tough, but fair questions concerning Iraq, the economy and the upcoming election, without the help of political aides and without the armor of the podium he's so comfortable standing behind.
He was naked, alone and vulnerable.
Over and over again, the president defended his decision for war in Iraq. "This was a war of necessity," he said. Over and over again, "The W" looked like a man searching for answers during an interview that must have felt like the longest hour of his presidency.
"The W" was reminded of a speech he gave last year where he adamantly stated that the information his administration had left "no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised." The president then admitted that that information held no water. In spite of this, "The W" stands behind his decision.
This is a president who continues to reject responsibility when his decisions are questioned. "The W" asked us to trust him, but intelligence turned out to be flawed and weapons inspection chiefs said they found nothing. He fails to accept responsibility for these and other failed arguments for war.
Oh, by the way, there's more than just a war we're dealing with here. We have no jobs in this country. But don't worry, folks. "The W" has an answer:
"It's happening. It's happening."
It's happening? That's his answer to questions about an economy that is failing to produce jobs? What's happening?
Under "The W," 2 million jobs have been lost, while he continues to spend and spend. But what do you call someone who has no money, who spends money, while continuing to cut, rather than raise taxes?
The answer to that is simple: A president who is in trouble.
The fact is that, for the first time since Sept. 11, the president is no longer getting a free pass. With a democratic primary that has produced record numbers of voters, and with recent polls indicating that "The W" is trailing behind John Kerry, the president will face even tougher questions about Iraq, the economy, his war record and anything else this administration has managed to sweep under the rug for so long.
"The W" was standing on top of the world in an aviator jacket and cowboy boots less than a few months ago. Now, when he's forced to defend his record as president, he's naked, alone and vulnerable.
Vic Vela is a journalism graduate student. Reach him at vic.vela@asu.edu.
