Paul Begala calls Bush a 'high-functioning moron'

With the days of the Bush presidency dwindling, and yet one more crisis ramping up, the talk is getting hot on the TV circuit.

Paul Begala, the television commentator and Democratic strategist who with James Carville propelled Bill Clinton to the presidency in 1992, knew he was about to get into trouble on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" show Thursday night with his description of President Bush.

He said as much as soon as he opened his mouth.

Still, with a panel that included Ed Rollins, the Republican strategist who ran Ronald Reagan's 1984 reelection campaign, he blurted it out:

I'm going to get in trouble. He's a high-functioning moron, and that's what Congress treats him as. Both parties.

To be sure, the panelists were egging each other on:

COOPER: "Watching the president last night give that speech, it was like watching him in Jackson Square in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I mean, he did not seem to be there."

ROLLINS: "No, he wasn't there."

GLORIA BORGER: "He's not comfortable — "

COOPER: "He was physically there but — "

At which point Begala chimed in.

And lit up the Web — from the liberal DailyKos site ("one of the most awesome moments in the history of cable news") to the conservative Media Research Center's NewsBusters ("What is it with Democrats and their grotesque slurs upon the intelligence of their political rivals?").

— James Gerstenzang

Comments

[Jean]

Three cheers for Paul Begala. It's been said on Bill Maher and numerous other "comedy" news shows, so it's about time some commentator said it on a legitimate news program what everyone knows: Bush IS at least a functioning moron. The emperor has no clothes. Begala wasn't the first to say it, and won't be the last. I personally would label the President a dumb a.... OOPS I can't say that because I would be violating the Times' User Content Posting Rules.

[Jean]

Three cheers for Paul Begala. It's been said on Bill Maher and numerous other "comedy" news shows, so it's about time some commentator said it on a legitimate news program what everyone knows: Bush IS at least a functioning moron. The emperor has no clothes. Begala wasn't the first to say it, and won't be the last. I personally would label the President a dumb a.... OOPS I can't say that because I would be violating the Times' User Content Posting Rules.

[Jean]

Three cheers for Paul Begala. It's been said on Bill Maher and numerous other "comedy" news shows, so it's about time some commentator said it on a legitimate news program what everyone knows: Bush IS at least a functioning moron. The emperor has no clothes. Begala wasn't the first to say it, and won't be the last. I personally would label the President a dumb a.... OOPS I can't say that because I would be violating the Times' User Content Posting Rules.

[Jim]

Begala is the ugliest high functioning moron. He is nothing but a stupid whining reporter. Nuff said.

[mick]

You get the feeling that Poppy & Bar were sitting in front of their TVs in eager anticipation, the same that you see on parents when their little girl is going through her balance beam routine. She fumbles and teeters but she jumps off and lands without hurting herself and they both jump in the air and hug each other with Daddy pumping his fist - "She nailed it!" W has set the bar so low that if he reads his lines without stuttering or mispronouncing anything, it's a great moment in presidential speeches.

[Barry]

Moron means an IQ between 51 and 70. President Bush's IQ was measured at 124 in his Air Force Reserve days.

And what's a "high functioning moron," anyway?

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moron_(psychology)
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/24/politics/campaign/24points.html
http://www.vdare.com/Sailer/kerry_iq_lower.htm

[Why do people joke about Bush's IQ?]

Cheney picks up the phone and its George Bush calling from the oval office.

"Cheney, I'm having trouble puttin' this jig saw puzzle together. I need yer help!"

Cheney asks, "What kind of jigsaw puzzle? What's the picture on the box?"

"Lemme see," says Bush, "It's a big picture of a rooster!"

"Mr. President," says Cheney, "That's not a jigsaw puzzle, Sir. That's a box of cornflakes."

[Badinoff]

"Moron means an IQ between 51 and 70. President Bush's IQ was measured at 124 in his Air Force Reserve days."

Well, the Air Force isn't exactly known for keeping accurate records when it comes to the 'Ol Kennebunkport Cowpoke.

Besides that would have been his brain then, this is his brain after drugs.

[William Bailer]

Only slow witted, nasty, disrepectful and evil persons would ever call anyone, let alone the president of the United State, a moron.

It seems that Paul and others have lost the sense of respect and non pertisanship that the press one stood for.

I am sure he does not but should feel real remorse for such an evil comment. He is truly a disgrace and proved it the national stage.

[Helena]

Hey Barry,

A high functioning "moron" is an idiot that has been placed in a position or job that he is too stupid to do. You should know that!!! or are you a "moron" too.

[Ron Reinhardt]

We Americans have become so afraid of saying and hearing the truth--we're feed phony lines through crocodile smiles by politicians and right wing media--finally a statement from Paul Begala that echoes what many feel and think.
I've been saying it for years-as I don't beleive in this culture of ignoring the truth.

[Michael H.]

Bush may not be an intellectual , a great conceptual thinker, or even someone who has good judgement, but to call him a moron on a nationally televised program is a bit too much.

[Joe Smith]

The president should no be spoken about in this lowclass manner. In the olden dys Begala would have been challenged to a dual. if i ever see him i will slap his face

[xgb]

As much as I detest the Bush Administration, I believe Paul Begala's comment was way out-of-line. Bush's problem has never been his intelligence, or lack thereof. The problem has to do with basic flaws in his character, most notably, his utter recalcitrance in the face of Congressional and public opinion, and his excessive decisiveness and overconfidence.

[Victor]

Begata is obviously right about Bush being a moron.
That's not the question.
The problem is how and why did the American people allow themselves to be hoodwinked by this moron and his moronic war against Iraq for so many years??
American voters and a compliant media have made a laughingstock out of America.
As an American living in Europe, I am tired of defending my own country and people!

[Oliver Rink]

The term "moron" as a description of George W Bush is an insult to morons the world over. In the span of eight years this man and the bible-thumping chorus he leads have taken this country to the brink of financial catastrophe while diminishing our political influence abroad and embroiling us in a war that has cost over 4,000 American lives in Iraq. It is hard to conceive a more incompetent administration or a more self-righteous one. Of course he was not "there" -- in the words of Gertrude Stein: "there is no there there."

[outabounds]

It seems that may of you didn't read the rules before posting.

"If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate."

You sound as childish as Begala. At least he knows his audience.

[Chet]

Hey William - if disrespectful is the worst you got, bring it on. This President has "disrespected" his office, the Constitution, the American people, the Iraqi people, the people of New Orleans, the Treasury, The Founding Fathers, Ronald Reagan, Harvard, cowboys everywhere by just pretending to be one, and recovered alcoholics everywhere by being so incompetent...I don't have enough space to continue, but the list is longer. If being impolite is your biggest beef right now, you're not paying attention.

[dacho]

who cares if his IQ is 124. bush is a high functioning moron, not in the clinical sense, but in real life actions and results. if you don't see that in plain view, then you're living in the same alter universe that bush does.

[Mike]

Should be Countdown to Civil War!

[Leslie]

A "high functioning moron". That is a very accurate description of our fearless leader. His latest speech is a good example.

[Mr. Johnson]

High functioning moron or not, 2 elections were stolen. There is little solace in finally seeing this figure head labeled properly. The bigger issue is those pulling his strings are high functioning vipers and they're in a full court press to seat his replacement. Watch for McCain/Palin bumper stickers, morons within.

[Vic]

Why did I get the feeling the other night that I was seeing a repeat of the "wmd" speech but now replaced with "fmfd" fear of mass financial destruction speech?. This lame duck president continues his legacy of leading by fear. As he himself once said and got it wrong: "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." No George, we won't get fooled again.
The American people are just as "dumb" as he is for voting him in office a second time. What a mess.

[woodstock1969]

The meanness of the Obama followers is spreading throughout the Democratic party to the Democratic media, and now to Democratic Hollywood. Its immoral. Nothing is out of bounds, and half truths, rumors, put downs, and name calling are the rule of the day in the media. Its all going to create an ugly culture divide that will never go away.

[BG]

Paul Begala let Bush off lightly. A moron isn't aware of his actions. Bush is a ruthless psychopath. I mean come on when you execute criminals like chickens in Texas and chuckle when some poor woman asks for a little mercy, you know this guy has a screw loose somewhere. He was and is the black sheep of his family, and he proved that these past 8 years destroying two countries with two wars that were unprovoked