Even if successful, it’s five years too late

President Bush spoke with Larry King on Thursday.

“When history looks back, I’d rather be judged as solving problems and being correct, rather than being popular,” Bush said.

I agree with his sentiment, but zero out of three isn’t good. Even in the times when he’s correct (recognizing that we have enemies, social security must be eliminated fixed), he doesn’t demonstrate the leadership necessary to solve the problem. Of course, objective criteria aren’t sufficient to conclude what’s correct and what’s merely personal preference. That has a good bit to do with his administration’s flailing effort to satisfy his base’s every unimportant moral whim.

“The president that chases the opinion poll is the president that will have failed policy,” Bush said in an exclusive joint interview along with his wife, Laura, at the White House.

So that’s not why he supported the Federal Marriage Amendment? What was it then? His opinion that recognition and respect for same-sex couples is important? I’m not buying that; there’s too much evidence to the contrary.

On his chosen course, regardless of the issue, history will not be kind. That’s unfortunate. As an American who didn’t vote for President Bush, I want him to be successful in the important tasks he tackles, within our existing principles. That’s the hurdle he seems unwilling to face. His words are correct. Will his actions catch up?