Could the Alpha Dog be Going Down?

I'm still not through dissecting what seemed to be a potentially critically revealing encounter between a sad little critter (gw) back on his heels and an energized relative pup (Webb), although not a pup in terms of age or experience. Webb may not have achieved "alpha-dog" status with that one encounter, but there were some definite status-changes.

Froomkin tags it "Webb Redux," and I guess that works. I'm glad I am not alone in thinking a "redux" is called for here.

My initial reaction was in the form of a comment to a Digby blog.

This is presidential childishness, churlishness, and prickishness at a level scarcely approached before in my lifetime, even in the era of the Nixon/Agnew absurd goofishness. Our country, formerly widely esteemed I hear, should not have to settle for having this sort of misfit three-stooges nonsense be the face we present to the world. It's absolutely shameful.

Could we at least pretend at being statesmanlike? Is it asking too much to have our president actually act presidential rather than role-play some cheesy Woody Harrelson character or other dipshit with a childhood dream of being a cowboy who can't even bring himself to caring for a horse or any of the other "hard work" that his self-chosen fantasy life involves? And how about having our Chief Executive treat other people with even a little respect? What a concept!! George the privileged has never seemed to have bothered with that. Barbara and George the First, you get an "F" as parents, as the country has known for a good long time. Shouldn't you be sharing cyanide in a bunker??

Lead as we the people tell you to in simple words or get your sorry ass out of the way, George. The vast majority of us have made it clear how that dichotomy will work out now, haven't we?

To Froomkin:

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Was newly elected Virginia Senator Jim Webb out of line when he answered Bush's question about his Marine son with an objection to the war in Iraq? These two columnists consider him a hero.

Eleanor Clift writes in Newsweek: "Every so often a politician comes along who doesn't pander to the president. . . .

"A quirky individualist who wants no part of the phony collegiality of Washington, Webb was rightly insulted when Bush pressed him in that bullying way -- 'That's not what I asked you' -- trying to force the conversation back to Webb's son. Webb could have asked how the Bush girls are doing, partying their way across Argentina. . . . Given the contrast between their respective offspring, Webb showed restraint. . . .

"It's justice long overdue for a president who has so abused the symbols of war to get his comeuppance from a battlefield hero who personifies real toughness as opposed to fake toughness. Bush struts around with this bullying frat-boy attitude, and he gets away with it because nobody stands up to him."

Paul Krugman writes in his New York Times opinion column (subscription required): "Good for him. We need people in Washington who are willing to stand up to the bully in chief. Unfortunately, and somewhat mysteriously, they're still in short supply.
"You can understand, if not condone, the way the political and media establishment let itself be browbeaten by Mr. Bush in his post-9/11 political prime. What's amazing is the extent to which insiders still cringe before a lame duck with a 60 percent disapproval rating. . . .
"[H]ere's a question for those who might be tempted, yet again, to shy away from a confrontation with Mr. Bush over Iraq: How do you ask a man to be the last to die for a bully's ego?"

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