That's funny. Sure looked like Putin in profile, didn't it?

I didn't mean it was important that Putin could literally kick Bush's heine. Why are you obsessing on this? He gives the appearance of being more hardy, tougher, more capable. He certainly got the best of Geo. in the exchange about democracy in Iraq being transplanted to Russia. The whole room was laughing, though it was in Russia, of course.

And Bush's tinny comeback, "Just wait!" fell flat.

Clinton had way more manly charm that HW Bush, IMO and I'm betting the country as a whole. HW talked like a dweeb much of the time.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

He needs to wear more earth-tone suits and smile more often. Maybe stick his tongue down his wife's throat, go wind-surfing, have coffee with the folks after shooting at some birds. Aw hell, maybe he can shoot a lawyer/lobbyist, too.

B

Didn't mean to obsess -- I just got sucked in, against my better judgement, to a thread that I perceived to be just another obsession with gratuitous Bush-bashing. The guy's not my favorite, but really, questioning his Jedi-ness or whatever this elusive "presence" is seems silly to me. Regardless, yes, I will agree that Putin seems to have a charm that GW doesn't in the international forum -- hey, who's to say that isn't the reward for years of cunning or underhanded moves of his own, anyway? Regardless, I guess I can agree with the GW/Putin charm issue, but with lesser enthusiasm than you.

As for Clinton/HW, I couldn't disagree more. A WWII pilot vs..... (thinking... thinking... thinking... ) um, a philanderer? Is that what gives you the notion that Clinton was/is "manly?"

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

HW was a WW2 pilot. He was also a foot in mouth dweeb while president, much of the time. Remember his remark about kicking a little "keister" after he debated Ferraro back in his '84 VP race? When Clinton (and I) were draft age, there was not a glorious military campaign that a thinking person could devote himself to. Not our fault we weren't part of the "greatest generation."

Me obseesing about W? The guy is looking more and more like a total disaster to all but the most devoted Repo partisans. It frustrates the hell out of me cause I saw his shallowness from the beginning.

The difference in the body language and demeanor of Putin and Bush is not a small thing, IMO. It springs from big differences in the way they look at the world and how they live their lives.

Bush has been deluded by pea-brained arrogance for so long he's just about stopped growing. How's that line go about you get the leaders you deserve?

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Everything is always going to be about how much Bush is despised.

A one-note instrument; a one-tool workshop.

My favorite Bush-moment was GHWB's puking on the Japanese PM's shoes.

#2 moment was not Bush's, but why not blame him for it? Cheney bagging a lobbyist-lawyer.

My favorite politician-moment was "Mr Quayle, you're no John Kennedy."

Bad news Bot, the entire world is more aware of the sad fact that we've got an arrogant moron at the helm than many, many Americans.

Hold on tight, while the ship of state lurches onto the rocks. Thank you FOX news, thank you Rush Limbaugh, for tilling the soil that gave rise to this pestilence.

Ya'all just hide behind that flippancy now, y'heah?

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K