Bush Legacy Tour

Greetings – Julie is off the road for the week and I’m traveling with the bus. 

Last night Tom Brokaw said, “I think a lot of people have moved on from [Bush’s] presidency...he realizes that.” Well, apparently not. 

After more than 30 states and about 75 stops, we had our first protest during our stop.  They were organized with coordinated signs and even a flat Bush!

Now I could probably see if they were holding John McCain signs, but to still so vocally support Bush is just astonishing.  After mostly holding signs across the street, one came over to the bus and told me I should be ashamed of myself.  As she walked away she told me not to say a word.  Very constructive.   One also told our advance person she should show more skin.

I’m not really sure if they support the mismanaged war in Iraq that took our eye off the real problem in Afghanistan – leading to a strengthened Al Qaeda in that country or the economy he’s given us – with growing unemployment and a collapsing banking industry brought on by deregulation policies he and John McCain championed.  He continues to be a back-seat driver as the country slips closer to a recession, leaving the heavy lifting to Paulson.  Last night he finally made a formal address – after country’s financial institutions have been falling like dominos, after bailing out two of the largest mortgage lenders and the largest insurance company, after the stock market dropped 500 points in one day and after both presidential candidates came out with their economic plans – now Bush gets back into the fray.  Perhaps he knows the damage is already done and his economic legacy has been written. 

 Or - going back to Brokaw, “[A few days ago] might have been the time to show more robust leadership both politically and personally.”  Well, Charleston protestors, Bush might still be in office, but that’s not saying much. 

The most interesting part of the day actually came from a member of the press.  He was telling me about how his home in Columbus, OH was over-appraised when he refinanced his mortgage.  As a result, his family was giving a bigger mortgage which they couldn’t actually afford.  His home was foreclosed and he lost everything.  He was able to file for bankruptcy right before Bush’s stricter bankruptcy rules went into effect.  Now, at 45, he’s worried that he won’t have enough to send his two kids to college and he can’t even afford to buy a car.  This is the Bush presidency of which the protestors are so proud.

On to Martinsville,
Lauren