BROOKLINE, Mass. — President George W. Bush left office fifteen years ago this past January. He was not particularly popular when he left, with the country in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
But when Mr. Bush’s term was over, two honorable men, the departing and incoming presidents, participated in a ceremony of inauguration, honoring the passage of power and reverence for the electoral process, a ceremony for which this country was known and envied in much of the world.
Since President Bush’s departure, his only Republican successor has desecrated that ceremony, leaving Americans to wonder if they will ever see another presidential succession with the same innocence or confidence.
I wonder what President Bush is thinking these days.
Marc Springer is an attorney in Massachusetts who hopes more than anything that his two grandsons will live in a country where democracy thrives. (Photo by Ann Hanson)
His reputation as a significant figure in 21st century American politics is secure but certainly mixed. There is plenty to criticize, such as a flawed justification for and execution of the Iraq war, leaving much chaos in the war’s wake. But surely there is much also to admire, such as the way he rallied the country after 9/11, teaching us that neither the entire Muslim world nor innocent Muslims in America were responsible for it.
Mr. Bush also deserves endless credit for pushing to start PEPFAR, a relief program to help those with HIV in poorer countries, which may be responsible for having saved 25 million lives.
Further, President Bush speaks not only for himself as a former president, but, whether he wants to or not, he also represents to the country, his father, our 41st president, George H.W. Bush, a patriot who expressed extreme disdain for Donald Trump.
So, I wonder what Mr. Bush is thinking after watching the only elected Republican to follow him so dishonor the office, and stand within striking distance of getting elected again?
Unfortunately, President Bush has been almost silent on the Trump presidency and the Trump madness that has overtaken the Republican Party. Even when he has criticized the events of January 6, 2021, such as in a television interview in April, 2021, he did so in a measured way. “I’m not going to cast blame,” he said in a clear reference to Donald Trump.
But is it viable for this man, who holds such a momentous position in our recent past, to be idle while his party and his country make such an awful choice. Does a former president have no responsibility to steer the citizens who previously elected him president twice to stay on the path of democracy? We are less than 100 days from the 2024 election. Time is short.
Obviously, the campaign is in some flux now. President Joe Biden has passed the torch. Vice President Kamala Harris just announced a running mate and has secured the nomination, appearing to unify Democrats.
But the consequence of electing Donald Trump again is still the overriding concern to most Americans.
In view of that concern, here’s what I would like to tell President Bush: Mr. President, the pro-democracy side of your party and your country need your help in preventing a second Trump administration, which would undoubtedly be far worse than the first. Your family’s legacy of decency and respect for the rule of law compels you to do everything you can to prevent this.
You may have substantive differences with Vice President Harris or any other Democratic nominee, but their values honor the things you and your father fought for as presidents and as Americans. I am positive that you well know that a Democratic Administration will leave intact the country your family so ably served. A second Trump Administration may not do that.
Time is running out. Your place in history makes you unique at this moment and your honor requires nothing less.
May we please hear from you before it is too late, Mr. President?
Marc Springer is an attorney in Massachusetts who hopes more than anything that his two grandsons will live in a country where democracy thrives.
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Publish date : 2024-08-06 22:40:00
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