There is one way * can redeem himself (or at least partially) . . .

. . . in the depths of the post-Watergate Nixon presidency, Tricky Dick, caught up in both Watergate and Vietnam, managed to temporarily break his losing streak (and look presidential) by visiting China and Russia. It was ironic, because the Vietnam experience (and much of Nixon's rhetoric) was all about containing communism. This rapprochement with the East brought new glamor and temporary popularity to the beleaguered president. Funny he achieved it by approaching the folks against whom he hammered his entire career.

If Bush wanted to get a similar 'pre-boot' lift, there is only one way he can do it; initiate a major rapprochement with Iran. I think the underlying fear of war is so close to the surface in this country that even the most hardcore TV Evangelists will welcome peace with Iran. More and more, PNACers seem to be jumping off the boat; no longer much need to satisfy them.

Come on Georgie, this is you one chance to prove to us all you're not malevolent!

and he would never do it. Junior is no Tricky Dicky, who at least had a sharp mind and full grasp of politics before he sank into paranoia and depression at the end of his presidency.

Tricky had the advantage of having Kissinger advise him; Kissinger was a student of Realpolitik, which said that ideological dogma wasn't as important as balance of power and world stability. Bush, on the other hand seems to be surrounded by foreign policy advisors that are dogmatic.

...that Bush will have a sort of road to Damascus change of heart and become a just, fair, measured sort of person, I sincerely doubt it is possible at the moment. He's still very much in the mode of digging in his heels.

A great deal of what this administration does is self-justification and just plain old macho chest-beating. I think they're banking on the fact that they can get away with it AND be even richer, monetarily, than they already are.

But the problem is that the world can't wait for them to admit to their failings. They are digging the country a whole, foreign policy-wise and fiscally, and I tremble to think of the costs in human lives.

I share your reservations, but I can't help but think an aid is trying to persuade * to do some things which might well save his country, and save his party as well. Just as with Nixon, the Russia/China thing wasn't enough to erase his shortcomings entirely, but I think it certainly helped his legacy.