I don't believe that * is going the Lame Duck route . . .

[no_hypocrisy]

Partly because of his legacy in historical terms. * is vain enough to care about how he's recorded in history books for impressionable children.

But also partly because * is thinking ahead. As an ex-president (we can only hope) as of January 2009, he could be in a position to be a lobbyist extraordinaire. In other words, a dealmaker with lots of "folks" in Congress, speaking engagements (like Clinton), memberships of boards of directors, etc. UNLESS . . . he is viewed as a disabled, incompetent, impotent lame duck whose political capital is all but spent. * is worried about post-White House if he is compelled to retire literally as no one will return his phonecalls, he's invited nowhere, and he is relegated to his ranch with nothing to do. You know, irrelevent.

That's why I'm worried as he will try something to show the world that he's still The Man and he has power and he is Master of the Universe, the usual delusion thinking that gets us all into trouble. It's to ensure that he has something to do after his White House days.

[acmejack]

1. But we'll be dead

Wasn't that *'s answer to that question during an interview when he was asked how history would look at him?

Seriously, I lean toward agreeing with the OP, * is meglomaniacal & scares the crap out of me.

[rodeodance]

2. He is very concerned about his legacy--He will hit hard (stay the course)

[kohodog]

3. From a legislative/democratic point of view he's a lame duck, but

from a fascist dictator point of view he'll back door his agenda, flaunting the law as he has been doing. And if it gets too ugly I can see him ordering strikes on Iran.

The port deal didn't follow the law, spying on citizens is illegal, torture, going to war, privatizing everything (including placing the privatizing of social security in the budget), up ending the EPA, opening up Federal land for just about anything and using recess appointments to place his lackeys when they can't pass muster.

Whew, and that's the tip of the iceberg. I believe 2006 is our last chance to save democracy.

[koopie57]

4. I can see your point

but I think once he is out of office he will stay on the farm and clear brush to his heart's content. I think he is such a failure that no one will want him to do anything, much less something that takes brains and "hard work". Republicans are starting to shy away from him, his poll ratings are down, he can't speak, he says stupid things even if all he needs to do is read a prepared speech, he is drinking (IMHO) and is lazy as sin. Not to mention that he falls off his bike, chokes, or walks into someone's fist on a daily basis.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Yes and no.

Yes, he's a lazy bastard and wants to be paid for it.

No, he really likes being a "player". Plus corporations need him as the perpetual front man in their confidence schemes. He's affable, simple, and exudes saleability of the product. That's a gift and I have a hard time accepting that he can be replaced in this respect.

I imagine he wouldn't mind a retirement like his dad's where he joins a corporate entity like Carlyle and just makes money on deal using the U.S. government.

[koopie57]

8. I see your logic

and suspect you are right, but from a pure "gut feeling" I think he will be not seen and not heard. It is just one of those things I guess. My brain agrees with you, but something is pulling me back.

[kurth]

9. He'll be greeted by demonstrators everywhere he goes

And dead soldiers' mothers.

[marions ghost]

5. totally agree

he's gonna show us all who's boss....watch out

[B Calm]

6. I would be worried about the Bush puppeteers..

[ladjf]

10. Why are talking about speeches and lobbying. We should be

talking about prison and trials for treason.

[no_hypocrisy]

11. Trials and prison are luxuries for us at this point. We need to be

worried about an alcoholic with delusions of grandeur who has the power and ability to execute his fantasies and who has an army of enablers, fascilitators, and lackeys. War with any country he designates. Bankrupt and destroy the middle class. Read your mail. Tape your phonecalls. Read this post. Relocate you to another part of the country in a prison camp indefinitely without notice.

My point still is that he's dangerous when cornered, and believe me, he's cornered now.

[Raydawg1234]

12. But he can always clear some brush!!

[SPKrazy]

13. Lame Duck Isn't Until Your Replacement Has Been Elected

The use of the term lame duck has come to mean anyone elected who can't run again.

That isn't what it originally meant.

Technically he isn't a lame duck until the 2008 elections are final.

Then he is a lame duck.

Same is true for any elected official.

See this:

lame duck

NOUN:


1. An elected officeholder or group continuing in office during the period between failure to win an election and the inauguration of a successor.
2. An officeholder who has chosen not to run for reelection or is ineligible for reelection.
An ineffective person; a weakling.

He fits #2, which didn't used to be the definition.

But #1 is the more accurate use of the term.