Slate.com Editor Weisberg Diagnoses Bush with a 'Learning Disability'

Slate.com Editor Weisberg Diagnoses Bush with a 'Learning Disability'

By Jeff Poor (Bio | Archive)
January 31, 2008 - 16:16 ET

Slate.com Editor Jacob Weisberg can now add "medicine" to his list of expertise. Weisberg told an audience the awkwardness some claim Bush shows during speeches can be attributed to a learning disability.

Weisberg linked it back to a pattern of dyslexia in the Bush family.

"I agree with that," Weisberg said when presented the possibility that Bush has a "learning disability." "The other thing I've done is collect ‘Bushisms' over the years and I sort of joke this book is my penance for doing that, because one of the things ‘Bushisms' do is I think they make Bush sound stupider than he is, or stupid in a way he isn't. And I do think he does have some sort of language processing impairment that is probably akin to dyslexia, and dyslexia does run in the family. But, I don't think it is dyslexia because if you watched the State of the Union, you could see he has no trouble reading a teleprompter."

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Weisberg appeared at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C., on January 30 to promote his new book, "The Bush Tragedy." He ruled out dyslexia as Bush's learning disability because of his fondness for reading.

"He is a reader actually," Weisberg said. "He's become a reader. I think in the White House, he reads a lot of history in part because he is looking for vindication in it. But, I think there is some language problem which makes him sound stupid."

However, Weisberg did give Bush some credit and say Bush's business interests were not the determining factor in the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. During the early stages of the war, many on the left said desire for oil was the reason Bush invaded Iraq. Weisberg attributed it to Bush's desire to "one-up" his father, but said Iraq was chosen because it was a strategic location.

Slate.com is an online magazine owned by The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO). It was founded in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley. The Post purchased Slate in December 2004.

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Someone should diagnose

January 31, 2008 - 16:19 ET by Schnikeys

Someone should diagnose Slate with an objectivity disability.

LOL Schnikeys ask Slate to say "objectivity disability"real fast

January 31, 2008 - 17:40 ET by JayTee

I think this Slate guy stopped learning 20 yrs. ago, and stopped being Objective the Day John Kerry lost the presidency.

Someone give Bush a Peace Prize so the Liberals will think he is as Smart as Al Gore.

Stimulis: Congress and the president are now agreed on remedies that will not work, expending money they do not have, to fix a problem that may not exist. Steve Chapman

Not only medicine, but

January 31, 2008 - 16:32 ET by motherbelt

Not only medicine, but psychiatry too!

I think in the White House, he reads a lot of history in part because he is looking for vindication in it.

He got that figured out, didn't he? And without ever even talking to the President! Knows what he reads, and psychoanalyzes why.

Genius? Nah. I can do it too.

How about this:

Weisberg criticizes other people, especially those in positions of power and authority, to compensate for his own feelings of inadequacy.

See how easy?

A learning disability..BFD

January 31, 2008 - 16:29 ET by ShaftBigScore

Things must be going great for Weisberg to perform a research on Bush's learning disability for the LAST 8 years. Weisberg needs to be fired for goofing off on the job. Who cares if Bush has a learning disability? Liberals have a learning disability when it comes to logic.

I favor the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and it must be enforced at gunpoint if necessary. President Ronald Reagan

OK, this sounds like the

January 31, 2008 - 16:33 ET by Chris Norman

OK, this sounds like the typical insufferably condescending attitude of a liberal.

Check Out Weisberg's wiki entry.

January 31, 2008 - 16:34 ET by Del Dolemonte

Weisberg obviously got the wrong talking points-dyslexia is unrelated to intelligence. Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Woodrow Wilson are all believed to have been dyslexic.

"-dyslexia is unrelated to

January 31, 2008 - 16:36 ET by Chris Norman

"-dyslexia is unrelated to intelligence."

What a coincidence. So is liberalism. :)

dyslexia is unrelated to

January 31, 2008 - 16:45 ET by Delsa

As mother of two dyslexic sons I'd like to say, now that is funny Chris!!

...someone with a learning

January 31, 2008 - 17:22 ET by TruthMonger

...someone with a learning disability has been outsmarting the Dems for 8 years? And if that's not enough he also finds time in his over-booked schedule to liberate Iraq, Afghanistan, and beat Al Queda into pathetic submission? He also finds time to read books alot. Is that what this guy is saying...? This sounds like quite a compliment to me...

Also a boost for disabled Americans - what a role model:)...

Del, he knows that, but he

January 31, 2008 - 16:42 ET by motherbelt

Del, he knows that, but he also knows that that's not the way people think. He makes the conjecture, but then says it's unlikely, because he has no trouble reading a teleprompter. Why say it just to refute it in the next sentence? Just to get the words "Bush" and "dyslexic" linked. He knows it's not a positive link, for the uninformed.

Oh, and he thinks there is some language problem.

How's that for a definitive diagnosis. Is his book full of insightful gems like that?

I seem to recall allegations

January 31, 2008 - 16:42 ET by Schnikeys

I seem to recall allegations of news anchors reading teleprompters as well. And talk show hosts.

This is from

January 31, 2008 - 16:53 ET by motherbelt

This is from Amazon.com......I don't know who wrote it, but here is what it says about Jacob Weisberg:

Jacob Weisberg is the editor in chief of Slate. He previously worked for The New Republic and was a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, and a columnist for the Financial Times. Weisberg is the inventor of the “Bushisms” series.

Just a bunch of neutral publications, right?

And I don't know who wrote the actual review, but it starts out with this..(emphasis added):

with no political ax to grind, Slate editor in chief Jacob Weisberg methodically and objectively examines the family and circle of advisers who played crucial parts in George W. Bush’s historic downfall.

What particular kind of

January 31, 2008 - 17:06 ET by Chris Norman

What particular kind of arrogance and condescension
does it take to pretend to be the one to diagnose the president's intelligence, reading, and comprehension skills?

"with no political ax to

January 31, 2008 - 17:07 ET by Sonny Lykos

"with no political ax to grind, Slate editor in chief Jacob Weisberg methodically andobjectively examines the family and circle of advisers who played crucial parts in George W. Bush’s historic downfall."

I sure wish I was unfortunately enough to have the "historic downfall" of being elected President of the US - twice!

Meanwhile, GW is probably thinking: "Shoot! Wish I was the editor in chief of Slate instead of being President."

If W was a smooth-talking

January 31, 2008 - 16:54 ET by mattm

If W was a smooth-talking schmoozer like BJ, they'd rip him for that.

Frankly I don't mind the 'President Stupid' thing anymore. They couldn't beat him and they couldn't impeach him, and after a couple years of Hillary or McInsane they'll be wishing Bush had a third term. (But they won't say it out loud)

Weisberg us just being

January 31, 2008 - 16:54 ET by ForeverOnTheRight

Weisberg us just being stupid. It is a fact that not only did Bush go to a prestigious ivy league college, but he got better grades than John Kerry. I doubt that Bush could get into an ivy league college with a learning disability even with the money and position that his parents and grandparents have had. Weisberg is just suffering from BDS. He needs therapy or a genuine religious experience like becoming a born-again Christian. He needs to forgive Bush for winning the 2000 elections over Gore.

A learning disability

January 31, 2008 - 18:16 ET by balboa

A learning disability doesn't necessarily mean you're stupid.

Anyone have a contact at the American Psychology Assoc.?

January 31, 2008 - 17:01 ET by c5then

I was wondering if we can get Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) listed as a certified mental illness?

The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.

Actually

January 31, 2008 - 18:58 ET by Del Dolemonte

We should report Weisberg for practicing without a license.

c5then, Gather the APS :they vote (like scientists do now)

January 31, 2008 - 19:28 ET by upcountrywater

And voila! consensus! BDS shall be printed in text books FOREVER.

iranian uranium; iranian uranium, iranian uranium..

Oh joy to the world, 19 more atomic power plants!

I have dyslexia and I can read a teleprompter

January 31, 2008 - 17:21 ET by Pam

But, I don't think it is dyslexia because if you watched the State of the Union, you could see he has no trouble reading a teleprompter."

The teleprompter is only showing him what he has already read and studied..He wasn't put in front of the camera and made to read it without a bit of practice...

All one need do is read what could only have been written by him to know what kind of an idiot Weisberg is:

Jacob Weisberg (born 1964) is an American political journalist, currently serving as editor of Slate magazine and a columnist for the Financial Times. He is the son of Lois Weisberg, a Chicago social activist and connector celebrated in Malcolm Gladwell's book The Tipping Point. Weisberg's father, Bernard Weisberg, was a prominent Chicago lawyer and, later, judge. His parents were introduced at a cocktail party by novelist Ralph Ellison.

Weisberg is a frequent commentator on National Public Radio and also writes a weekly column for the Financial Times. He previously worked for The New Republic in Washington, D.C., was a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and a contributing editor to Vanity Fair. Early in his career, he worked for Newsweek in the London and Washington bureaus. Weisberg has also worked as a freelance journalist for numerous publications.

Weisberg is the inventor and author of the Bushisms series. He is also the author, with Robert Rubin, of In An Uncertain World (2003). Weisberg's first book, In Defense of Government, was published in 1996.

He invented Bushisms?

"During the early stages of

January 31, 2008 - 17:40 ET by dronetek

"During the early stages of the war, many on the left said desire for oil was the reason Bush invaded Iraq. Weisberg attributed it to Bush's desire to "one-up" his father, but said Iraq was chosen because it was a strategic location."

I just love how they pretend the previdous decade and run up to war with Iraq never happened. Its as if Bush came in to office and introduced something new by asking congress for power to invade. Talk about ignorance of history.

He is the son of Lois

January 31, 2008 - 17:40 ET by BD

He is the son of Lois Weisberg, a Chicago social activist and connector celebrated in Malcolm Gladwells book The Tipping Point. Weisberg's father, Bernard Weisberg, was a prominent Chicago lawyer and, later, judge.

Poor bugger, he never had a chance growing up like that.....

If he invented something wouldn't it be "We is Bergisms" ?

January 31, 2008 - 18:30 ET by JayTee

Bush can't get credit for anything he says....They Misunderestimate Bush.

Bush DOES have a learning

January 31, 2008 - 17:49 ET by mostlymoderate

Bush DOES have a learning disability. He is UNABLE to "learn" liberal ideology and he fails to meet the demands of liberal thinkers.

Lots of people fail college classes for the same reason. If you do not adhere to liberal thinking, you are not "learning" the material the professor gives you.

"Lots of people fail

January 31, 2008 - 18:09 ET by Schnikeys

"Lots of people fail college classes for the same reason. If you do not adhere to liberal thinking, you are not "learning" the material the professor gives you."

I agree.

Old News From A New Ass

January 31, 2008 - 18:20 ET by stratman

It's Denny Crain's Mad Cow Disease!

Morons.

This is a rehash of previous conjecture of when and why Bush's linguistical and grammatical style appeared to change over time.

Videos of Bush debating Ann Richards for the governorship of Texas she an intellectually agile and well spoken Bush. Segway to the presidential debates and Bush appears to be slower in thought and making more frequent mistakes in vocabulary and grammar.

At that time, there was conjecture Bush may have had a stroke or some other debilitating brain disease, even postulating it was Kuru, that expressed itself since the Texas debates with Richards.

An alternate theory was that Bush choose to become more "folksy" to endear himself with the populace, or, it was a reaction to the intense spotlight of presidential politics, like how a stutter or lapses in memory may appear de novo in an adult when they are under intense pressure.

Whatever the reason, and it is not dyslexia or other genetic issue per se, Bush's speech patterns, factual recall and quick/easy wit have been relatively constant throughout his presidency. In other words, there has been no detectable degeneration of his cortical functioning, IMO. That he is an avid reader and is described by those that meet with him that he asks pertinent questions of topics he knew little beforehand are examples that Bush's higher brain functions are well intact despite an occasional misfire when speaking.

I would surely rather listen to Bush speak for an hour than Truman for 10 minutes or Carter for five. I don't think anyone would want to hear Fillmore. I could probably go for hours listening to Teddy R.

Killing them with kindness isn't working. Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.

It's all in Bushes

January 31, 2008 - 18:34 ET by the struggler

It's all in Bushes strategery to have the media misunderestimate him so he can go all nucular on their a$$es.

....they make Bush sound

January 31, 2008 - 19:19 ET by DaBird

....they make Bush sound stupider than he is....

Not to be nit-picky here, maybe he was just having some fun. But shouldn't an editor know that "stupider" is not really a word? If you're going to rip on someone for being stupid, maybe you yourself shouldn't sound so stupid.

Accomplished what?

January 31, 2008 - 19:20 ET by Scrapiron

George W. Bush holds a degree from Yale, a degree from Harvard, was elected governor of Tx- twice, President of the United States- twice. Jacob Weisberg graduated from a failed college and has accomplished what? Still working for the other man for wages. Yep, Bush is the retarded one. Do you still wonder why the media is the fastest dying industry in the country.

No one said retarded, and

January 31, 2008 - 19:24 ET by balboa

No one said retarded, and again, learning disorder doesn't mean stupid.

But what does it imply?

January 31, 2008 - 19:35 ET by Chris Norman

But what does it imply?

If you know anything about

January 31, 2008 - 20:13 ET by balboa

If you know anything about learning disabilities, you know it means the way information is handled by his brain is a little haywire.

For people not spending any time on the subject, it sounds like Bush is stupid.

How accurately people interpret his comments is not his department.

Come on, bal

January 31, 2008 - 20:29 ET by drillanwr

How accurately people interpret his comments is not his department.

If you're talking about Jacob Weisberg you must have a suspicion (even the smallest) that he knew pretty much how his comments WOULD be interpreted ... I am sure he didn't just throw the subject out there because he had nothing else to write about.

I'm sure he thought it would

January 31, 2008 - 20:36 ET by balboa

I'm sure he thought it would be a fortunate side effect. :-)

There ya go ... ; ^)

January 31, 2008 - 20:40 ET by drillanwr

There ya go ... ; ^)

You gotta be

February 1, 2008 - 00:49 ET by msh1973

You gotta be kidding...right? No one on the left would ever imply that President Bush was intelligent.

Bush Tragedy or Weisberg's?

January 31, 2008 - 19:49 ET by Kirk Turner

I'm surprised that Weisberg has a position at a prominent company. I read his book, "The Bush Tragedy," not knowing his bonafides. To me, the book seemed under researched and intellectually light.

Weisberg's mode of operation is to involve himself in thought experiments based on news reports of the time of the event in question. In this way, he comes up with his working assumptions in the book out of whole cloth, which are a confusing melange of Freudian navel gazing. Weisberg creates a number of Bush attributes in this manner. It is creative, but hardly rigorous, and dreadfully dull. The attributes that Weisberg imagines for Bush are all father-centered Freudian projections that beg more interesting questions about Weisberg's own relationship to his father. I'm sure a qualified psychiatrist could have a field day with Weisberg's book and come up with something better than "The Bush Tradegy;" one might name it "The Weinberg Tradegy."

I think that Weisberg's former job of formulating "Bushisms" would play more to his level of expertise. He strikes me as more of a production guy than a true writer.

If he's a "production guy",

January 31, 2008 - 19:52 ET by Chris Norman

If he's a "production guy", "formulating Bushisms", are you suggesting Weisberg would be better off producing desk calendars like "365 Days of Bushisms"?

To Slate.com Editor Jacob Weisberg

January 31, 2008 - 19:53 ET by drillanwr

George W. Bush is President of The United States of America ... You know, leader of THE MOST powerful country in ALL the world ... and HAS been so, after two SUCCESSFUL elections, for over seven years.

And what have you been over the last seven years but a smarmy little shit who writes for a smarmy magazine site ... <phfeh! and double phfeh!>

Concur.

January 31, 2008 - 19:57 ET by stratman

Concur.

President Bush - Learning Disabled?

January 31, 2008 - 20:00 ET by ProfCourtien

Let say for a moment that this guy is correct. The President has an actual learning disability. Then I say, all these Bush Haters who always go out of their way to make fun of the President should be ashamed of themselves.

Good God man.

January 31, 2008 - 20:47 ET by VT Con Man

Who is this Weisburg and why does he have nothing to say but emotional, hateful drivel. Also, who on earth would buy such a "book"?

Bush "became a reader" at, what 60? sheesh, these peoople need a hobby or something... besides BDS...

I have never in my life..

February 1, 2008 - 00:45 ET by msh1973

I have never in my life.. what the heck does Weisberg know about learning disabilities? I'll bet he didn't know that most people who have a learning disability have above average intelligence. So I guess that means that President Bush has above average intelligence.

I just want to know who the

February 1, 2008 - 00:54 ET by msh1973

I just want to know who the msm liberals are going to "pig pile" on when President Bush moves back to Texas?

I have read Bushism's, and I

February 1, 2008 - 09:56 ET by Lancasters Saved Us

I have read Bushism's, and I do think President Bush has a learning disability. My son has one as well and I think he is a Genius. I also think President Bush has a high level of intelligence, attached to a perfect moral compass... a quality far greater than the pointy headed types who sneer at him . My measure of someone weak in the head is a person who thinks they can judge someone on a foible.