Dorian: not to worry, I didn't expect the post to get much of a warm response. I recognized in writing it that claiming that GWB is likable is likely to result in mostly scorn. But, honestly, most of the comments on this post are pretty tame and are simply people expressing their views — most of them quite understandable and reasonable.

I should note that I don't personally approve of Bush's actions as president, I think his presidency has been, as I mention in the piece, anywhere from “reckless and ill-informed to out and out disastrous”. That said, I do think he has a certain likableness to him that I find fascinating. Certainly watching interviews with Bush as opposed to the other two politicians named: Gore and Kerry, I find Bush a great deal more likable.

But that sense of being likable didn't make him a good president and won't save the legacy he leaves behind.

Regardless, spirited discussion and the good natured clash of opinion lies at the heart of a vital democracy. So I welcome all comers in terms of comments and take no personal offense.

Looking back over the comments–including my own–I feel somewhat badly that you have reaped such an adverse reaction on one of your first posts. However, keep in mind that the negative reaction is really to the subject of your post—NOT your post.

As a matter of fact, I believe that you are quite courageous to take on such a position at this time in our “political climate.”

Look forward to future posts,

Dorian

Bush exudes a subtle confidence, clarity, intelligence and warmth that is the hallmark of so many great men — his vision, when he has the space in which to communicate it, is compelling.

I am so glad to come to these comments and find nothing but disagreement with the idea that somehow George W Bush is–my god, I can hardly bring myself to type this word–likable?

Nothing but disagreement.

You're free to like him yourself, of course. But do you really have any reason to proclaim him–gulp–likability is ineffable?

Your judgment seems pretty effable, you know?

perhaps Bush’s biggest failure was his inability to live up to the reasons for his election and level with the American people about what he was doing and why

I'm gonna have to stick with his criminal disregard for human life. Coming in second would be his flagrant violations of the Constitution he swore to uphold.

Thanks for the comments.

It is certainly true that Bush isn't a likable character for everyone, you've all given lots of reasons why that's the case. I would only add that I was trying to separate people's inclination to like Bush from how he has worked out as a president. The two are interrelated, but not fused.

Yeah, like when he sat down with ABC’s Martha Raddatz for an exit interview in Iraq and claimed that one of the major theaters against al Qaeda turned out to have been Iraq, and Raddatz corrected him “But not until after the U.S. invaded.” Upon which Bush said, “Yeah, that’s right. So what?”

Now, that is “real charm and sincereity in his final days” It is also real respect for the American people whjo were lioed to, and those who sacrificed everything for “So What?”

Yeah, the likeability, sincerity and charm of a guy who took our country into an unnecessary war that ended up costing the lives of more than 4,000 of our finest..

Yeah, a real likeable, down-to-earth fellow.

“Bush exudes a subtle confidence, clarity, intelligence and warmth that is the hallmark of so many great men — his vision, when he has the space in which to communicate it, is compelling.”

Let me come back to this one, after I get off the floor from laughing, and have a few hours to spare…

On 9/11, I was prepared to mute my misgivings. He's not much of a President, I told myself, but he's the only one we've got. It took him only a few months to convince me that he was a soulless, opportunistic war criminal.

The next time i see him, I want him to be wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffs and leg irons, in the prisoners' dock at The Hague.

I'm not sure how likable Bush really was in that interview. Is this the one where he flippantly said, “so what?” regarding Al Qaeda moving to Iraq only after the invasion?

In some ways Bush has become less of a lightening rod because the electorate has had a chance to repudiate him in November. Watching Bush reminiscing about his Presidency reminds me of Michael Scott – Steve Carrell's character in The Office – reflecting to the camera on the importance of some mundane task. It's like he's been play-acting as President the whole time.