Now I don't want to get off on a rant here...

Man of the Year

Times Man of the Year could be no other than the most important man in the world. I say this because George W. Bush is the leader of the country with the most influence and source of positive change in the world. No one was more scrutinized, analyzed and criticized in 2004 than this man. He has been tested and has not wavered an inch.

Many politicians would have tried to play it safe after the controversy of the 2000 election and the level of focus from the world on the 2004 election. That didn’t happen. “Bush ran big and bold and specific all at the same time, rivaling Reagan in breadth of vision and Clinton in tactical ingenuity. He surpassed both men in winning bigger majorities in Congress and the statehouses.”

Our President didn’t cave in the face of adversity and he showed the resolve and character that is needed by the leader of this great nation. He embodied the character of the American people as we have always fought for what we believe in. “Bush admits to savoring a good fight. ‘I think the natural instinct for most people in the political world is they want people to like them," he says, "On the other hand, I think sometimes I take kind of a delight in who the critics are.’”

Whether you agree with the direction he is taking the country or not, you cannot deny the strength of his character. But this country is a democratic republic and the will of the people is represented in more ways than just the historic number of votes he received for President and the 48% of the country that voted against him (not for Kerry). The will of the people is also represented in the Congress and the majority margin grew wider in favor of President’s party because the American people want to see George W. Bush accomplish the goals he has set for this country.

To say that his first term was a failure is to be ignorant of the facts. “Bush is already the most legislatively successful President since Lyndon Johnson, according to the Congressional Quarterly, roughly 80% of the legislation he supported has passed.” So how likely is it that his second term will be equally successful? “[H]is domestic goals for the second term - from Social Security reform to tax restructuring to deficit reduction - mirror his ambition of the foreign policy revolution of his first. “

The 2004 Man of the Year will be noted in history as a clear visionary in difficult times that guided the American people into the 21st century. “In his pursuit of a second term, Bush was just as radical as he was in his conduct of a pre-emptive war. As a politician, he showed the same discipline, secrecy and nerve he demonstrated in his conduct as President. So he emerges with his faith only deepened in the transformational power of clear leadership.”