Petrelis Files

Bush: "Strength of Character" Quote Repeated, Repeated, Repeated

Like something from minimalist composers Steve Reich or Philip Glass, two composers whose music I've listened to for years, a quote from President Bush yesterday during his p.r. stunt visit for a few hours to Baghdad sounded terribly familiar.

"I'm impressed by the strength of your character and your desire to succeed. And I'm impressed by your strategy," Bush said about Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki.

A quick Googling of Bush's gushing praise returned these recent quotes from our fearless, but often tongue-tied leader.

1.

BUSH: People are going to be amazed at her strength of character and her intellect. [...]

BUSH: But what also matters is the intangibles. To me a person's strength of character counts a lot. And as a result of my friendship with Harriet, I know her strengthen of character. [...]

BUSH: And people will get to see not only her strength of character but will get a sense of her judicial philosophy. [...]

Transcript of President Bush's Press Conference
Courtesy of FDCH/e-Media
Tuesday, October 4, 2005

2.

The reason to honor Martin Luther King is to remember his strength of character and his leadership, but also to remember the remaining work. The reason to honor Mrs. Parks is not only to pay homage to her strength of character, but to remember the ideal of active citizenship.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
January 16, 2006

Remarks made by Bush at Georgetown University's "Let Freedom Ring" celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

3.

Every time I visit with President Uribe I am impressed by his strength of character and his belief in the future of his country. [...]

So Mr. President, thank you for your strength of character and thank you for your friendship and welcome here to the Oval Office.

February 16, 2006
President Bush Welcomes Colombian President Uribe to the White House

Sure, we all very well know Bush is not a particularly bright public speaker and he doesn't articulate his thoughts into words easily, but is it asking too much of his handlers and script writers to come up with a new way for him to say something nice about all the people who so impress him with their strength of character?

Let's hope the latest prime minister for Iraq possesses the strength of character the world saw in Dr. King and Mrs. Parks, and not the kind we saw in Harriet Miers.