NOW THEY TELL US

“As it happens, the level on which Bush is not intellectually impressive is the only one that most journalists respect: verbal intelligence, the ability to understand and manipulate logic and language. This is precisely the sort of intelligence Bush does not possess, and so, many journalists stupidly thought of Bush as, well, stupid. I include myself in this and hereby renounce and regret my repeated past use, in connection with Bush, of the word “pinhead.” … [His are] politics played on a high and nuanced plane of intelligence, the sort of level that signifies a natural ability — natural political smarts. George W. Bush: smart guy. Who knew?” – Mike Kelly, by no means a Bush-whacker, but coming to see W’s smarts, in today’s Washington Post.

NOW THEY TELL US II: “The question is not one of Bush’s legitimacy. The new President – so the highest authorities assure us – holds office by virtue of a process that was legal and constitutional.” – Rick Hertzberg, the current New Yorker. By “highest authorities,” I assume Rick is referring to the Palm Beach Post. Anyway, it’s good to see two former New Republic editors, of very different ilk, come round to W. A little, anyway. Now all we need is Kinsley. Oh well.