N.Y. Times Can't Wait! Bush and Cheney Should Resign, Make Pelosi Prez

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.