Richard Brookhiser

The decisions—about Iraq, about Korea, about fighting terrorism—that confrontthis U.S. President may turn out to be as momentous as any an American leader has faced in decades. What capacities does President Bush bring to his decision-making? What limitations hamper his judgment? The author, a journalist and a historian, speaks with people close to the President and probes his private life and public career. Bush is, he concludes, focused, quick to make decisions, persevering, a good judge of character, and yes, "smart enough" to be an effective President. The unknown quantity is imagination—the imagination to foresee consequences, the imagination to be a wartime President

Whether George Bush wins the election or not, he has already lost the affections of the conservative movement, for forgetting what Ronald Reagan, no deep thinker, never forgot—that ideas matter in politics  

When asked “Can George Bush think?" his current and former associates all, in effect, say no

When asked "Can George Bush think?" his current and former associates all, in effect, say no.

“Heard melodies are sweet , ”Keats said. Not only that—they are a great way to be surprised by meaning