Media Helps GW Bush Rewrite His Ugly Legacy

FEATURING JUAN COLE – The 43rd President of the United States gave a well-received speech in New York on October 19th where he not-so-subtly criticized Donald Trump. Without naming him, George W. Bush – who seems to have become emboldened since Trump’s win last November – spoke of pluralism and the values of democratic participation.

But there was a time when Bush was derided everywhere he appeared. Indeed, after his tenure ended in 2008 he disappeared from public life as if to hope that Americans would forget the mayhem and constitutional attacks his administration unleashed.

Yet today mainstream, liberal-leaning media outlets are lauding the president who was, before Trump came along, the least popular of all US presidents. How did we go from the slogan of “Anybody but Bush” a mere ten years ago to wishing Dubya was back in charge?

Read Mr. Cole’s column ‘Bush, GOP Lack Standing to Bash Trump for Racism’ on Truthdig.com HERE.

Juan Cole is the Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan. He has written several books including ‘The New Arabs: How the Wired and Global Youth of the Middle East Is Transforming It,’ and ‘Engaging the Muslim World.’ He has a column at Truthdig.com and his blog, Informed Comment, can be found at juancole.com.