Writing in the Washington Post on August 13, Professor Joshua Muravchik argues that despite their disappointments with U.S. counterterrorism policy and the war in Iraq, people should stand by President George W. Bush.
“Presidents invariably disappoint their strongest supporters. Their powers are limited, and they must cope with Congress, public opinion, unwieldy agencies and, where foreign policy is concerned, other nations that can help or hinder us. The results never match the elegance of the policies formulated by people like me, who grapple only with editors,” Muravchik writes.
He draws a parallel with President Ronald Reagan, who had disappointed many of his staunchest supporters in 1982 and 1983 – especially in policies relating to fighting terrorism and combating communism.