Ask Not What Your Froomkin Can Do For You...

The All-Seeing Eye Of Froomkin demands answers!

Why does President Bush think he can get away with ruling more and more like an absolutist? Maybe because that's what the American people really want.

Froomkin then links to this very intriguing Jim Hoagland column, which includes this rather alarming quote from a White House aide:

We are engaged in a new kind of war that cannot be fought by old methods. It can only be directed by a strong executive who alone is not subject to the conflicting pressures that legislators or judges face. The public understands and supports that unpleasant reality, whatever the media and intellectuals say."

Froomkin then asks for feedback on whether this aide is speaking truth, or is merely engaged in more of that reality-creation that the Bushies are so fond of:

So here are my questions for you readers -- particularly those who support Bush, live in red states, or think you have some insights into the mindset of Bush supporters: Is that an accurate analysis of the situation on the ground? Is there a silent majority out there that understands and supports the need for a strongman in the White House? Is this White House -- so often accused of making up its own reality -- in this case actually more in touch with the "unpleasant reality" of post-9/11 America than the media and intellectuals?

Post your responses over here , in this washingtonpost.com message board. You will have to register for the message boards, if you haven't done so already. And I would ask you to please post using your real name and please treat your fellow posters with respect even if you think they are on crack. Unless things get entirely out of hand, responses that follow the site's rules for discussions will be posted there. If the responses are interesting enough, I'll compile them and publish them tomorrow right here. Extra points for pithiness and/or real life anecdotes.

I've read about 20 responses so far and skimmed the rest, and it's fairly interesting stuff. There have only been two or three pro-Bush commenters so far, and they've basically offered up variations on the "War is hard and it takes a tough man who is willing to make tough decisions and do unpleasant things" theme. Most of the other commenters are surrounded by Republicans, or are themselves Republicans disillusioned and disgusted with Bush's ongoing rape of the Constitution. Their observations are mostly along the lines of "people can't be bothered to take an interest, and they just trust the President to do the right thing because he's a Godly man, and it's not our place to second-guess him." Oy.

Check it out, and please contribute any insights you might have into the Bushie-is-all-right-with-me mindset. I wish I had some to contribute myself, but I'm frankly mystified - the best I've been able to come up with is the bully-posse explanation: That people who vote and root for the Republican party as it is constituted today are like the sycophants who tag along with the schoolyard bully because it makes them feel tough and powerful whenever he beats someone up.