THE HUMAN SIDE OF THE PRESIDENT

Yes, I did listen to the SOU. Yes, I agreed with the rest of the universe that it was thoroughly stubborn, unrelenting, unrealistic and even a little whiny. That's not what interested me about it.

Truly, this guy has been on the job in 8 different years. He's given 8 SOU's. This is the beginning of the end game. What must he have been feeling? How bitter was it in some ways? How sweet in others.

With WJC's last SOU, I knew exactly what he was feeling. His heart was in DaVos and he had one more chance to make a big world trade and AIDS lick. He was surely thinking a little nostalgia as well, as well as a bit of "What's next?"

But I can't think like W. thinks. I can't be that insular and disinterested. I really wondered, what is this guy feeling. He knows that, other than some smoke and mirrors "stimulus" package, he's not getting anything he's cheerleading for. At some level he knows the war he feels so lovely about is a mission without a defined mission statement. He probably won't miss the trappings. I have no doubt he's happier in Crawford.

But I'll bet there was some pride too. He faced a lot of adversity and he weathered it. His poll numbers are crap and his talented staff (other than Gates) are out the door--last one out, turn out the light!--but he's gonna finish his term. Interesting to close one's eyes and conjure on what he might have been thinking.

I think for the first time in this term, I was really interested in him on a personal level. Here's hoping the service he provided (however goofy I thought it was) didn't shorten his life. When he's done, I hope there's plenty of brushhogging on the ranch and golf with his Dad left.