Brokaw: George H.W. 'Most Underrated Modern President Of Our Time'
Tom Brokaw is the man that our Brent Bozell recently described as having "used NBC and [his] anchor chair as a platform to promote Democratic agendas and delight in Republican setbacks for more than 20 years." But every once in awhile, perhaps out of Greatest Generation nostalgia, Brokaw has something kind to say about a Republican.
As was the case on Morning Joe today, when, after reciting a list of the 41st president's accomplishments, Brokaw called George H.W. Bush "the most underrated modern president of our time." Video after the jump.
Brokaw offered his praise in the context of putting the current presidential race in perspective. While Obama is currently doing well in the polls, Brokaw pointed out that H.W., despite all his accomplishments and astronomical poll ratings after Desert Storm, ultimately lost "to a guy who has a girlfriend who appears in the middle of that summer, talking about her long-time affair with the Governor of Arkansas."
Watch a rare point of light from Brokaw.
Note: don't miss the end of the clip. Mika Brzezinski has had more than enough of the praise for a Republican, and is eager to move on.
TOM BROKAW: Jim Baker and President Bush 41 put together a game plan and won that [1988] election. Now, think about what happened four years later, because that's also applicable to where we are now. George Bush 41 presides over the winning war and Iraq I, he puts together the most impressive alliance we have seen in the last 40 or 50 years to do that. His numbers go to 75, almost 80% in terms of approval.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: The Soviet Union collapses, Christmas Day of '91.
BROKAW: The Berlin Wall comes down, he manages it so well that Helmut Kohl later got tears in his eyes as he, on a public stage, thanked George Bush for how he managed the Berlin Wall collapse and the reunification of Germany. That's how he goes into his re-election campaign and he loses to a guy who has a girlfriend who appears in the middle of that summer, talking about her long-time affair with the Governor of Arkansas. So, got to keep all this stuff in mind . . . He was the most, I think most underrated modern president of our time.
As the recitation of H.W.'s accomplishments continues, Mika Brzezinski has had enough and makes the conversation move on.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: No, I've got it. Looking at how things broke down last night [in the Super Tuesday primaries] , I'm just . . .
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Comments
The MSM wants to declare Obama a shoe-in for re-election . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 9:16am.
. . . but even someone like Brokaw knows how elections turn around.
After the Gulf War, Bush-41 had approval numbers that Obama had never seen, and he lost to that nobody from Arkansas.
The public is focuses on the election yet, despite the wall-to-wall jabbering on cable. When they do, the Super PACs (if they're smart) will roll out ads reminding everyone of his half-truths and lies, and the budget numbers that don't lie. They'll draw the connection between Obama's failed 'green' investments and the Dem donors who got those investments.
And if the price of gasoline goes over $4.50/gal, Obama is going to be squirming.
Obama isn't on defense yet, and he's never played defense in his brief political career. He's untested in that political area. We'll see how he does.
My bet is that what will
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 9:28am.
My bet is that what will happen is the mask will slip and his thinly-veiled contempt for those who dare oppose him will erupt into full view.
Up until now he's been careful to maintain at least a veneer of civility, even as he insults others.
That will be gone.
I agree
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 9:42am.
When he's off his teleprompter, Obama is prone to slipping up (See Joe the Plumber 2008).
He has a heavy disdain for the Republicans that comes out every now and then when he blames them for his failures. And when he's whining, people get turned off.
The Dems are not as confident as the MSM regarding Obama's re-election because they're aware of this.
That's what I thought
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:32am.
during the 08 campaign. It appeared at times that he could barely contain the contempt he held for the Flyover folks when he was glad-handing.
As much as some on our side even like to slam Sarah Palin, she was served an Ess sandwich every single day and never lost her cool. Barry couldn't survive one full day of the crap she got slung at her, without going full Vesuvius.
Yes, unfortunately for Sarah
Submitted by WhoIsJohnGalt on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 12:41pm.
she was, and still is wholly unfamiliar with the correct use of a period (the punctuation kind). When she just runs on at the mouth, it completely undermines her point and makes her look like she's babbling. She's got a real public speaking problem, but she's not the idiot she's portrayed as.
I met a friend of a friend, they are both Liberals, and when politics came up, they actually still believe that she said, "I can see Russia from my house!".
You need to tell your liberal
Submitted by robbieby on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 6:23pm.
You need to tell your liberal friends that they watch too lmuch Tina Frey. She is the one that made that comment. Sarah never said from her backyard. Her exaqct quote was "From some parts of Alaska we can see Russia".
I can't believe how many still get Tina Frey mixed up with Sarah. It can be blamed on the Democrats, because for a while they actually used Tina's comment and said that it was Sarah's. I can't believe how they twist the truth, like they are doing now with the religious Freedom issue. First it becomes a Woman's health issue and then Rush's comment becomes a comment on their daughters. Liberals really need a lesson of speaking the truth.
Good job
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 7:08pm.
Ignoring my point. Palin can't be broken by verbal abuse. Your boy Baraka (yeah, I said boy) would crumble like the pale flower he is if subjected to half what she took every day on the campaign trail.
If you want to see a great example of a babbling idiot that can't speak, look at Youtube for "Obama, Bristol, Virginia." He's a quarter-witted, functional idiot.
Phil ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 1:32am.
It is difficult to understand, even allowing for the inherent right to have an opinion, why so many go out of their way to chop at Sarah Palin.
It seems even a compliment dished out has to be either accompanied by a disclaimer or is a backhanded compliment in the first place.
Odd, that.
MD
MY BOY???
Submitted by WhoIsJohnGalt on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 1:04pm.
I re-read my post, and can't see where you interpreted that I support Obama. I think you completely misread me. I think highly of SP, but she does need to improve her public speaking game.
Oh, and I guess I should apologize for not sufficiently demonstrating fealty to your post before I dare make a different point...egghead.
~Small point, here
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 1:08pm.
Your liberal friends' confusion over Tina Fey's SNL line was not due in any way, shape, or form, to Sarah Palin's speaking skills or lack thereof. It's a non sequitur.
So this means that Brokaw....
Submitted by P. Aaron on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 9:20am.
...likes Romney?
Then, the alarm clock went off.
No
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 1:28pm.
Your post means you're backing Obama.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
You misunderstand...
Submitted by P. Aaron on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 3:03pm.
...Brokaw is trying to appear moderate while remaining locked in his left turn death spiral.
Brokaw? Moderate?
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 4:13pm.
Yea, Brokaw loves Romey.
I totally understand your post. It's easy to knock one of the potential Republican candidates, while at the same time proclaiming that you're against Obama. It's harder to point out the good stuff regarding the particular candidate that you are backing, if there is one all.
The Republican's are doing a good enough job at hurting themselves, what with all the negatives that all the candidates are throwing at each other. The sad part is, it's spilled over to the core of conservatives, most of us who call ourselves Tea Party members. We are doing exactly what the Dems and libs and leftists want us to do, and it's resulted in the constant bashing of who is probably going to end up being the candidate running against Obama. The base stands a good chance of ultimately destroying any possibility of Romney beating Obama.
Now, the argument goes, sure, I'll hold my nose and vote for Romney come November. Hopefully there are enough of us holding our noses, and enough moderates who are tired of Obama, that will result in Obama not getting his chance to really destroy the country. But in the meantime, we are doing are damndest to hold down turnout come November amongst us who will hold our noses, and also conveying to any moderates who might read websites like Newsbusters that the eventual Republican candidate is no better then Obama.
This isn't 1996, where our Romney candidate of the moment, Bob Dole, could afford to lose to Clinton. Obama not's going to pivot to the center. Obama's going to swing harder left, if that's possible.
This election is more like 1980, which is why I found this opinion piece so interesting.
"Not since Herbert Hoover has a party out of power had such an opportunity to run against everything that troubles the American family—prices, interest rates, unemployment, taxes, or the fear for the future of their old age or the future of their children—than is now presented to the Republican Party.
The Republicans, however, haven't figured this out. This is their basic problem. They have no strategy for defeating an Obama administration that is highly vulnerable on both domestic and foreign policy."
That's the conventional wisdom in a nutshell, isn't it?
It will come as no surprise that these words appeared in a Feb. 29 column in the New York Times. They are reproduced here exactly as written, save for one small adjustment.
The president whose failings they describe is Jimmy Carter, not Barack Obama.
That last thing I'm saying is that Romney is anything like Reagan. But the Reagan of 1980 wasn't like the Reagan of 1988, either. Governor Reagan signed many a liberal piece of legislation while in office. If we could go back in time to 1980, and we had the internet, Reagan would have been bashed by many conservatives for governing as a liberal while he was Governor of California. Reagan wasn't a perfect candidate, but it was imperative that he beat Carter. And it's imperative that our candidate beat Obama.
I refuse to bash our eventual nominee, whoever that turns out to be. I refuse to contribute in any way to Obama's re-election.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
I have always felt that
Submitted by Gat New York on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 9:51am.
I have always felt that George HW Bush was not only one of our better Presidents but he was one of the greatest Americans. He grew up privileged but still went to war and nearly lost his life in battle. His political resume was extraordinary - from Congressman to China Ambassador to UN Ambassador to head of the CIA, he was the most qualified to be President of any candidate since World War II. And on top of that he was a great father.
However, for Brokaw to compare Geo HW Bush to Obama is like comparing a fine red wine to Boone's Farm (OBama being Boone's Farm).
Gat
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:36am.
Boone's Farm? Aren't you being a bit generous in your analogy? Maybe Night Train Express or Mad Dog, but Obama would have to step up a few notches to rate being Boone's Farm.
Naah
Submitted by KornKing on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 11:40am.
Obama would have to step up a few notches to rate being goat piss.
Night Train Express!
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 1:36pm.
I've got a thirty year old pint of Night Train in my desk drawer, that I'm saving to drink for an emergency, like a nuclear holocaust. I'm surprised it hasn't eaten through the glass yet.
But a better choice then Boone's Farm, or any other mentioned, would be a bottle of Ripple.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
Mad Dog
Submitted by Schofield Kid on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 7:46pm.
I'd say MD is the most appropriate for Obummer (yes I know it tweeks lefty trolls when we use cute names for the One, but at least it's not Oba-Hitler, or similar garbage we had to listen to for 8 years).
I tried some kind of "fortified" wine when I was a teenager and it was bloody awful!
Bloody Awful?
Submitted by KornKing on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 11:35pm.
I'm tellin' ya, it was goat piss
Schofield Kid, I ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 1:24am.
disagree.
Most respectfully, of course. :o)
MD
And Obama is the most overrated national leader since Nero.
Submitted by needle on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:14am.
Brokaw: George H.W. 'Most Underrated Modern President Of Our Time'
This would be much more impressive if it came from someone else; but not someone whose judgment is so thoroughly impaired by liberal kool-aid, and Obama chauvinism.
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
⇒ Obama as Nero
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:22am.
Except this Nero plays the lyre.
George H.W. 'Most Underrated
Submitted by kg on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 11:05am.
George H.W. 'Most Underrated Modern President Of Our Time'
And a special thanks to Brokaw for his part..
"DumbAssity of Dope"
Only made the comment because
Submitted by FishFace222 on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 1:30pm.
Only made the comment because GHWB raised taxes I would guess.
THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENT - 20 YEARS LATE, TOM
Submitted by Sgthulka on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:15am.
Signed,
George HW Bush
Even a blind squirrel
Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:16am.
finds a nut every once and a while.
Brokaw is still a shill for the lefties and will remain that way. Next week, he'll trash the former POTUS as being satan.
"Most underrated President of our time?"
Submitted by KyWriter on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:24am.
That compliment would have more impact if it didn't come from one of the most overrated journalists of our time.
Praising dead Republicans or
Submitted by TE on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 10:34am.
Praising dead Republicans or praising Republicans who have long since left office is just a standard (and failed) ploy by leftists like Brokaw to appear "objective". Sorry, Brokaw, but you are (and will always be) a leftist hack, flack and useful idiot.
Brokaw is only concerned that the same will happen to Obama
Submitted by nonncom on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 11:29am.
he really didn't like Bush, as he was a rabid Clinton fan.....
Of course he called Bush 41 MODERN
Submitted by JDL on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 12:52pm.
Pres Bush 41 signed the UN Agenda 21 into law. One of the most progressive attacks on this country up to that date.
Here is a great short video on the cancerous Agenda 21 that is in every town/city govt in the country.
http://my.brainshark.com/Agenda-21-for-Public-Officials-472185383?mid=5560
Tom Brokaw is incapable of
Submitted by Immortal Fish on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 1:10pm.
Tom Brokaw is incapable of enunciating "L. L. Cool J."
Still suffering from Alzheimer's, I see, Tom.
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 1:35pm.
"He was the most, I think most underrated modern president of our time."
So much for the use of proper English in journalism. I mean, really, you "could be possibly" giving everyone a bad example of proper English, but what do I know? I'm not a journalist, and I sure don't rely upon the English language for my very career!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Two termer
Submitted by jeffy1988 on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 1:37pm.
He would have been reelected if not for the Ross Perot effect. Slick Willie only got 43% of the popular vote.
Bush 41
Submitted by mmilesll on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 1:37pm.
I am a very conservative "Republican" and Bush 41 was NOT underrated. When he took office he fired all the Reagan appointees and put his RINO buddies in. For that alone, I have NEVER forgiven him. All the work that Reagan did to get the country back to where it should be was ended by this Bush. W spent way too much money, not even close to nobama, but not even close to being a conservative.Brokaw is continuing to spew his crap.
.. and ...
Submitted by Fredy on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 2:02pm.
The tax increase, the abandonment of illegal immigration reform implementation, leaving Sadam in power to kill several more million people, GHWB was NOT underrated.
Brokaw on Bush Presidency
Submitted by Steve Cakouros on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 4:55pm.
Bush 41 was a Liberal like his father and Bush 43.
Brokaw likes him because he was a Liberal, a Mugwamp with his face on one side of the aisle and his rump on the other side.
Brokaw on Bush Presidency
Submitted by Steve Cakouros on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 4:54pm.
Bush 41 was a Liberal like his father and Bush 43.
Brokaw likes him because he was a Liberal, a Mugwamp with his face on one side of the aisle and his rump on the other side.