More George W. Bushisms: More of Slate's Accidental Wit and Wisdom of Our 43rd President

Description

From Publishers Weekly Follow a man around with a tape recorder long enough and he will say ridiculous things. If he is George W. Bush, to judge by this collection of verbal gaffes, he will say many ridiculous things-some funny ("It's about past seven in the evening here so we're actually in different time lines";) some callow ("This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating"); some mysterious ("We'll be a country where the fabrics are made up of groups and loving centers"); but most just embarrassing ("Of all states that understands local control of schools, Iowa is such a state"). Undoubtedly Bush struggles to "express himself with clarity and coherence," in the words of Garry Trudeau's foreword, but the tacit corollary-that he is a fool and unfit for the presidency-is not demonstrated here. While the characteristic "Bushisms" on display-stammering, misstatements, stubborn disagreements between subject and verb-may hint at the President's rumored dyslexia, mostly they portray a man whose limited rhetorical gifts cannot stand up to the 24/7 media glare. Defensive Bush supporters will find this an endearing proof of his authenticity; his detractors will laugh heartily but should, of course, look elsewhere for a substantive critique. B&w photos. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more About the Author Jacob Weisberg is the editor of Slate magazine and three previous editions of Bushisms. He lives in New York City. Read more