Has the Real Bush Been Liberated by Midterm Defeat?

Of President Bush's day-after-the-election-thumping, my blogging buddy Rick Moore writes:

"The President sounded like he's going to go where the Dems lead him, at least initially. That's not good for anybody."

What's funny is that in watching some of the news conference when it was replayed on C-Span last night, I had an entirely different reaction.

I thought that Bush sounded more presidential and more his own man than I'd ever heard him before.

The thought I immediately had was, "He's been liberated by defeat. This seems like the real Bush."

My guess is that the President feels that an overreliance on his handlers, whatever their portfolio, has gotten him low approval ratings and Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate, among other things. Yesterday, I sensed him saying, "It's my presidency. I'll hold fast on principle and I'll give on specifics." That's what good leaders do.

In fact, because of that press conference, I haven't had as much respect for Bush as a leader since he stood on the pile of rubble with that New York firefighter days after the 9/11 attacks. This isn't a policy statement. I neither endorse or lambaste people's politics around here...at least I try not to do so. It's an observation of someone who's into history and leadership.

Unless I totally miss my bet, the real Bush is about to bloom. He'll shock and surprise, but I think he's intent on getting some things done...even with Democrats.