Is George W. Bush a wartime president?

The United States is fighting in two wars. No question about that. But does that make the United States a country at war? And does it make George W. Bush a wartime president?

Those are the questions being asked by Fareed Zakaria in Newsweek. The debate goes to the heart of the nearly eight years of the Bush presidency.

To be sure, as Zakaria notes, Bush regularly describes himself as a "war president." He is updated  regularly -- daily or more often -- on conditions and situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He holds video teleconferences with his commanders there, generally at least once a week.

But, Zakaria notes, by the standards of World War II -- and when Bush presents himself as a "war president," the model of Franklin D. Roosevelt comes to mind -- "we are not at war." He notes:

Consider as evidence the behavior our our "war president." Bush recently explained that for the last few years he has given up golf, because "to play the sport in a time of war" would send the wrong signal. Compare Bush's "sacrifice" to those made by Americans during World War II, when most able-bodied men were drafted, food was rationed and industries were commandeered to produce military equipment. For example, there were no civilian cars manufactured in the United States from 1941 to 1945.

Concluding that the United States has "a unique and extraordinary set of strengths," Zakaria writes that the United States' position can only be eroded "by its own actions and overreactions -- by unwise and imprudent leadership. A good way to start correcting the errors of the past would be to recognize that we are not at war."

--James Gerstenzang

Photo: Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin at Yalta, 1945; credit: Associated Press

Photo of Bush: James Gerstenzang/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Sal B]

You've got to understand, for someone with the intelligence of W, giving up golf is equal in his mind to fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.

[PNW Trojan]

Did CONGRESS Declare War? No...so this is bush's folly to prove his manhood - something, for which there is still NO PROOF. He is simply a spoiled, snot-nosed brat, who never had to perform above that pathetic level. Plus being a party boy, he was a cheap drunk. He also hid behind barbara bush's skirt, until daddy's rich friends could protect our troops in Vietnam, from having this buffoon in their rear. (Whoops!)

[v3l]

the guy was visiting and stayed in Tucson in a posh resort practically in my backyard.As a commander in chief, explain to me: why does he not stay on the airbase (DM)and uses BILLETING,so he can get a flavor of "service'?
It was to much to watch this mascerade,a President of the People?
He was hidding/driving in some car under cover from darknes,Tucson could NOT care.
I was practically held "hostage " where I lived since the "prez" was going in and out.What a scene,come to Tucson when my son D. and son inlaw E. come home from Iraq and Afganistan "sir".
What a waste of time today!

[war prez]

He is the President you voted him in just like you will one of the new ones and you will find fault in the next one too. He is a war time President and you are all way off base.