Count New York Times editorial page editor Gail Collins in the Chris Matthews camp: she very seriously wants Bush and Cheney to resign right away, for the sake of the country, and that way, Nancy Pelosi can help the incoming president save the economy:
Thanksgiving is next week, and President Bush could make it a really special holiday by resigning.
Seriously. We have an economy that’s crashing and a vacuum at the top. Bush — who is currently on a trip to Peru to meet with Asian leaders who no longer care what he thinks — hasn’t got the clout, or possibly even the energy, to do anything useful. His most recent contribution to resolving the fiscal crisis was lecturing representatives of the world’s most important economies on the glories of free-market capitalism.
Putting Barack Obama in charge immediately isn’t impossible. Dick Cheney, obviously, would have to quit as well as Bush. In fact, just to be on the safe side, the vice president ought to turn in his resignation first. (We’re desperate, but not crazy.) Then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would become president until Jan. 20. Obviously, she’d defer to her party’s incoming chief executive, and Barack Obama could begin governing.
As a bonus, the Pelosi presidency would put a woman in the White House this year after all. On the downside, a few right-wing talk-show hosts might succumb to apoplexy. That would, of course, be terrible, but I’m afraid we might have to take the risk in the name of a greater good.
Can I see a show of hands? How many people want George W. out and Barack in?
To Collins, there is nothing Bush has ever done that is positive, and every day he fails to exterminate endangered species and despoil our national parks (again, she’s serious), is a good day for America:
Bush might not love the idea of quitting before he has a chance to light the Christmas tree or commute the execution of one last presidential turkey. After all, he still has a couple more trips planned. And last-minute regulations to issue. (So many national parks to despoil, so many endangered species to exterminate ... .) And then there’s all the packing.
On the other hand, he might want to consider his legacy, such as it is.
In happier days, Bush may have nurtured hopes of making it into the list of America’s mediocre presidents, but somewhere between Iraq and Katrina, that goal became a mountain too high. However, he might still have a chance to avoid the absolute bottom of the barrel, a spot currently occupied by James Buchanan, at least in my opinion. Buchanan nailed down The Worst President title in the days between Abraham Lincoln’s election and inauguration, when the Southern states began seceding and Buchanan, after a little flailing about, did absolutely nothing. "Doing nothing is almost the worst thing a president can do," said the historian Michael Beschloss.
If Bush gives up doing nothing by giving up his job, it’s possible that someday history might elevate him to the ranks of the below average. Better than Franklin Pierce! Smarter than Warren Harding! And healthier than William Henry Harrison!
Remember this the next time The New York Times editorial page huffs and puffs about uncivil campaign advertising ruining our democracy. Perhaps someone should write a column -- with the word "Seriously" -- suggesting the New York Times should cease publication for the good of the country -- and the trees.
Even fellow liberals are calling this "The worst op-ed of 2008." And dig John J. Miller:
Collins endorses this idea: Doing nothing is almost the worst thing a president can do. It depends on the situation, of course, but it seems to me that doing nothing is often the smartest thing a president can do. And maybe writing nothing is sometimes the smartest thing a columnist can do.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Simple, Collins is
November 24, 2008 - 12:05 ET by Delsalooking for employment.
Her paper is down the tubes and she is trolling for work.
The Times Parodies Itself
November 24, 2008 - 12:19 ET by allanfWas this the parody issue of the Times released last week.
he must wait - we want to
November 24, 2008 - 12:49 ET by TruthMongerhe must wait - we want to leave things as sh*tty as possible for the next administration
it's what the dems always do to us - so now we're returning the favor - instead of inheriting a hummin' country for a free ride this time they will have to actually work, progress, and succeed
actual work, progress, success needed - oh dear this does not bode well for the dems - heh-heh-heh
Dominate education now
She looks like Virginia
November 24, 2008 - 15:05 ET by andophiroxiaShe looks like Virginia Woolfe.
I was listening to the news, and they keep saying Clinton, not Obama. Wait, I thought the US elected in Obama? ;)
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” ~ Winston Churchill
She's a...
November 24, 2008 - 12:13 ET by BKeysernut job.
Isn't she the one who keeps
November 24, 2008 - 13:32 ET by kgIsn't she the one who keeps writing of her fantasies about sex with Democrat presidents and president elects?
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Constitution
November 24, 2008 - 12:19 ET by JEB StewartLet just throw out this part of the Constitution. Who needs the Constitution.Now that Obamanation will be in power, he will shred it anyway
Article II.
Section 1
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of
America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together
with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term......
Come on, JEB, the
November 24, 2008 - 12:35 ET by motherbeltCome on, JEB, the Constitution is just "guidelines."
I said yesterday, these people have officially gone around the bend.
Why stop there, Gail, why don't we just crown Obama Emperor and get it over with?
If this is Collins' mindset, one wonders just how much she will be willing to put up with in an Obama presidency in the name of a greater good ? (And who will decide what that "good" is???)
"sweep us up into the White House with powers that will make martial law look like anarchy! Mrs. Iselin (Angela Lansbury) in "The Manchurian Candidate."
Obama supporters do not believe in the Constitution
November 25, 2008 - 09:37 ET by PopularTechNothing else can explain their insanity.
Censored Global Warming Videos
This is why the NYT is losing subscribers
November 24, 2008 - 12:19 ET by c5thenAnd why their stock is trading at $6.26 today as opposed to $46-47 five years ago.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
Don't Take Stock
November 24, 2008 - 22:53 ET by DoktorFranken$6.26. Isn't life grand!
''On the other hand, he might want to consider his legacy, such as it is.''
And the legacy of the New York Times will be in the crapper like their stock price. And this ''writer'' (of a sort) will be part of the mass of unemployed propagandists. The staff of the Weather Channel (NBC owned) knows. The Chicago Tribune knows. The Los Angeles Times knows.
Not unlike 1000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean, it's a good start.
Why is NYT stock low?
November 25, 2008 - 10:06 ET by capitolguyBecause their publication is nothing but a publicity paper for Obama. The NYT, like most liberal daily papers in this country, is on its way to becoming a weekly advertiser. I, for one, am enjoying being a witness to the downfall of the daily liberal press. Now I will really have a reason to celebrate when I see that Paul Krugman has been fired by the NYT. That, my friends, will be the CHANGE I am looking for.
Let it go you idiot!
November 24, 2008 - 12:27 ET by mizflame98That Bush Derrangement Syndrome (BDS) runs deep, doesn't it? Obama won the election and Bush is gone in 2 months. Any normal person would just let it go and enjoy the fact that "hope" ( trying to type that with a straight face) is comming to the white house. But not Ms. Collins. She has to show just how mentally disturbed she really is. Maybe Obama's healthcare plan will make sure she gets the psych medications she needs.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
BDS runs do deep it will never go away it will mutate
November 24, 2008 - 17:22 ET by TjexciteBDS should be put in the DSM it has become chronic.
BDS may go away but then it will be RDS (Republican or Right) or CDS (Conservative) and one must not forget JTPDS (Joe the plumber)
Long live George W. Bush
Long live John McCain
GOP 2010
Sarah Palin or Bobby jindal or Michael Steele 2012
I vividly recall
November 24, 2008 - 18:57 ET by ahusserVVDS Vietnam Veteran Derangement Syndrome as I was one of the recipients thereof.
Change: When the winds of change blow hard enough, the most trivial of things can become deadly projectiles.
Typical "liberal" immaturity
November 24, 2008 - 12:27 ET by iveseenitallTypical "liberal". Like a spoiled adolescent, she wants it all NOW. This is the same crap that got us into our current woes. These ignorant brats have talked down everything from the war on terror to the economy. The ugly twerp and those like her have also ruined what was left of "journalism" in America. Can you imagine anything like this from the NYT twenty years ago? How sad. Collins belongs on The View with the other hags. Ignoramuses all.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Just shut up you stupid
November 24, 2008 - 13:20 ET by jistincaseJust shut up you stupid dried up old hag. I am about to go postal reading all this crap.I cannot believe that someone with supposed intelligence would even say such a thing.
My Bad
November 24, 2008 - 12:35 ET by JEB StewartI sorry Motherbelt......I stand corrected. So foolish of me to believe in such and old outdated document.
Smile problem?
November 24, 2008 - 12:36 ET by zachlindIsn't this the "writer" with the smile problem?
Amusing Bush resignation idea
November 24, 2008 - 12:42 ET by DavidRHere's an idea:
1) Bush resigns.
2) Cheney is sworn in as President.
3) Cheney appoints Condoleeza Rice as his VP.
4) Cheney resigns.
5) Condoleeza Rice is sworn in as our first black female president!
If only a VP appointed in this way didn't have to be approved by a majority of both houses of Congress (see 25th Amendment), this would be a great idea.
What else can you expect,
November 24, 2008 - 12:54 ET by sembyWhat else can you expect, it's the NY Times, they no longer have any credibility, why do we care?
Here is a stupid question, but ...
November 24, 2008 - 12:56 ET by legacyrepublicanHere is a stupid question, but, after her Ms. Collins "brillant scenario" ( gag, gag, I had to throw up writing that ), what does Pelosi do?
She will have been forced to resign her seat to assume the Pres' office and then have to find someway back into congress. Do you think she likes this idea? Not likely.
Ooooooooooohhhhh,
November 24, 2008 - 19:59 ET by 5kidsnadogYou just made the idea sooooo much more attractive to me. How much could she do in a month, and how much would we miss her if she never came back to her seat? Ingeeennnnious...
NYT?
November 24, 2008 - 13:07 ET by katainkentNYT? Meh... nothing to see here. Drive through please.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
She's got a lot of nerve
November 24, 2008 - 13:31 ET by marpelShe's got a lot of nerve suggesting such a ridiculous thing. But, then again, she's one of the ridiculous writers at the ridiculous NY Times...this goes for that creep, David Brooks too.
Goose & Gander
November 24, 2008 - 13:32 ET by OhmingIn the same parallel; Perhaps Collins and the staff of the NYT should resign and hire some young protoges' from Fox to save thier paper!
who steered Fannie and Freddie to the Brink?
November 24, 2008 - 14:27 ET by JIMMY1660as this left wing hypocrite opens her fat mouth, she shows how stupid one can be. it took the left 16 years of pushing the banking institutions to crumble under the load of bad loans forced by Clinton, Frank, Dodd. where is the call for hearings concerning these failures. GWB & McCain gave warnings that have gone unheeded. Am i the only one who wants the truth? I want hearings, I want the truth!!! and let GWB tell the American folks how this happened.
Maybe GWB should declare Marshall Law and not leave the White House!!!
allow me to Love America
a test of civility, will
November 24, 2008 - 14:32 ET by seaniepa test of civility, will Bush's people leave the whitehouse and take all the "o" keys off they keyboards the way Clinton's people took all the "w" keys?
Extremely Topical and Well Written
November 24, 2008 - 14:35 ET by ahusserArticle from the London Daily Mail. A friend emailed this article to me. It seems at least this part of the British media isn't in the tank for Obama. It is titled "The Night we waved goodbye to America...our last best hope on Earth".
Thanks ahusser
November 24, 2008 - 15:12 ET by general companyI sent it to ALL of my Obama loven freinds and family. Now I know they wont be talking to me.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I have family coming to Thanksgiving
November 24, 2008 - 16:30 ET by ahusser22 Adults only only 2 conservatives, myself and a nephew. I, being a good and courteous guy, have to show much restraint.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
Well don't feel left
November 24, 2008 - 16:40 ET by semolina_filcherWell don't feel left out...Thanksgiving in the filcher household will be quiet. Most of the immediate family is still in the throes of the Obummer victory. As the conservative in the family, my voice is to persuade rather than admonish, showing them the restraint needed in these tough economic times....sooner or later I hope I open up some eyes in the said household.
The Obama Cabinet = Same old Clinton hacks...
it's hard to be a gracious hostess...
November 24, 2008 - 18:07 ET by clinging to my guns and my religion...when you must entertain liberals! fortunately, conservatives will be the majority at my table on thanksgiving. i am too well-bred to start the discussion, but if my obama-loving niece brings it up, i will just not be able to keep myself from asking her how she will feel when her boss - whose money all comes from coal - has to fire her because his stock is worthless!
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
Thanksgiving
November 24, 2008 - 21:30 ET by ThatDudeI will give thanks that this Turkey day I will be with mostly conservative family. I'll be enjoying the evening with my immediate family and friends who we more than consider to be an extension of the immediate family. As much as I love my one aunt's family, if we get into a political discussion during Christmas, it will be hard to keep calm as their family is liberal. I've already had a few long arguments with two of my cousins over the election, and not especially looking forward to a rehash of it. It'd be a bad situation if we got into a political discussion, as that side of the family is split: 1 conservative, 1 liberal, 2 center-right.
Anyhow, back to the topic. Great link. It's rather embarassing when foreigners tell our news better than we're able.
Also, am I the only one who noticed the "Asian leaders in Peru" comment from Gaile? I know there's a significant number of Asian immigrants in the country, but did she confuse the fact that Peru is in fact a South American country? I apologize if I'm uninformed, but speaking of our President meeting with Asian leaders in a South American country sticks out to me.
i forgot about all the
November 24, 2008 - 14:35 ET by JIMMY1660i forgot about all the Clintons stole from the White House.
Mrs BHO will strip search HILL&BILL each time they leave theWH. making sure they are not blamed, for shrinkage!!!
allow me to Love America
A must read
November 24, 2008 - 14:58 ET by semolina_filcherWow...such a powerful article! At least some sane people over the other side of the pond thinks fondly well of the United States. Alas, the US will no longer be the best hope of the world. This guy echo the sentiments of many over here. Thank you for posting ahusser!
sf... That it is...I
November 24, 2008 - 15:03 ET by bigtimersf...
That it is...I passed it on to family and friends last week or so...anyone that hasn't read it...should.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
When this thread dies
November 24, 2008 - 16:34 ET by ahusserI think I will keep posting it for a while. Thanks for reading it and pass it around. It is powerful stuff. keep the faith.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
ahusser... I do hope you
November 24, 2008 - 16:38 ET by bigtimerahusser...
I do hope you do just that...like I said, I passed it on sometime last week or more now, even to people who I know may not appreciate it...after-all they do the same to me...hehehee.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
ahusser
November 24, 2008 - 16:45 ET by semolina_filcherI mailed the link to most of my liberal (sigh) family and friends. I know they love America, just loving it for the wrong reasons.....
Happy Thanksgiving......
NYT- New York Trash. Anyone
November 24, 2008 - 15:16 ET by semolina_filcherNYT- New York Trash.
Anyone employed by that trash heap is headed for a bailout now that the Lord, the Messiah, the Saint, and the Dimwitcrats personal saviour is about to take power.
What about White Strips?
November 24, 2008 - 16:41 ET by PewahSurely between her insurance coverage at the NYT and her husband's at CBS there must be a dentist she could afford to go to? Or maybe she just needs to buy some of those Crest White Strips?
I know my uber-lib, literati, sister who lives in the same s**t-hole of a city has similar looking teeth. Must be an angry lib thing.
lol
November 24, 2008 - 16:45 ET by LionKingI was wondering if she was British or what? ... lol
President Bush
November 24, 2008 - 17:10 ET by cocodrieI'm tired of the criticsms of President Bush.
Hurricane Katrina.
Iraq
Reserve that for Smilin' Jim, good old peanut brain.
I would like to say the same about Hussein in four years but I have major doubts about that.
it's soy-based ink
November 24, 2008 - 17:47 ET by tonemeisternice thing about a newspaper...after you read sh#t like this, you can fold it into the shape of a cone and vomit into it. not so fortunate with the laptop. all the keys get stuck...bush, a decent man who made some mistakes. wait till you see what we get with an amoral unreconstructed marxist as president .
Typical . . .
November 24, 2008 - 19:30 ET by Junk Science SkepticI've long said that the typical lib-o-crat mentaility is childish, this just proves my point.
These idiots are like a spoiled two-year-old who throws a temper tantrum because he/she can't wait for Christmas to open their presents. About the only thing missing is laying down, screaming and kicking, and I expect that will start before year-end.
Chaos
November 25, 2008 - 04:57 ET by WagaAnyone who'd make such suggestion has no respect for the rule of law, much less the Constitution. I honestly cannot understand how any rational, informed person would make that kind of assertion.
Bush has been very much involved in making tough decisions in attempts to stablize the economy and restoring confidence. Like him or not, to follow the illogical Collins thinking, chaos would ensue like the many banana republics that decides a coup every other year (think Thailand) is the best way to go.