Frank Reid wrote:

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that
we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic
and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
(Theodore Roosevelt 1918)


Awesome quote.

Some people like to compare GWB to TR. Ironically, while GWB supporters
do it to flatter GWB, the President's opponents intend it as criticism,
citing the erroneous popular opinion that TR was a warmonger. They're
both wrong. Here are some comparisons, and you can fill in the
comparable GWB characteristics on your own:

Aside from an insurgency in the Philippines, which he inherited from the
assassinated McKinley, there was not a single American military casualty
during TR's nearly eight years in office.

TR was a master of diplomacy, and in particular of using diplomacy to
resolve dangerous conflicts. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for
negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War.

TR was an authentic war hero, showing astonishing personal bravery in
the Spanish American War.

TR's most famous quote is, "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

TR was a voracious reader and a prolific writer. He was a world-class
historian, and made his living by the pen when he wasn't in office.

TR was the greatest conservationist we have ever had as President.

TR ended his second term (first elected term) as the most popular man in
the world, and declined to run for a third term as a matter of
principle, citing the example of George Washington.

The only valid similarity I can think of, and this applies more to GWB's
political advisers than to GWB himself, is that TR was a genius at
manipulating the press.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.