Letter: Bush should stand on his own before 9-11 panel

Thursday, April 29, 2004 | 9:14 a.m.

What did we expect when we hired George Bush as our president? It was well known that he had no foreign policy experience. His tenure in political life was limited to two short terms as governor of Texas. His executive experience was further limited by the fact that he had only to deal with a part-time, almost amateurish, legislative body. He was the least prepared man to ascend to the White House.

So when I hear that he was not fully in touch with the terrorist threat before 9-11, I am not surprised. Nor do I view a three-year recession as much of a surprise. But what does surprise me is the vehemence in which his partisans attempt to protect him from scrutiny. Particularly in a time of national crisis.

It would appear to me that all Americans desire to be safe. It would also appear to me that we want a president fully engaged, and if in fact he is not fully engaged, then I believe it best for the country to be aware of his limitations. Others do not.

Herein lies the problem with George Bush. He has enjoyed a remarkably sheltered life for a man who became president. His life before becoming president remains virtually unexamined. That which is known about him remains incomplete. More importantly, that which we are privy to regarding his White House days remains cloaked in secrecy. And I, for one, will not feel secure in this man until such time as I know that he is capable of doing his job on his own. In order to do that he should have to stand on his own before the 9-11 commission. And this without the comfort of having Dick Cheney by his side during testimony.

LANCE T. WEIL