talbotlucas.org: a word to the wise is sufficient

Last Thursday's New York Times includes a report of President Bush's post-election press conference. In describing the topics and tone of the event, the reporter noted that "A day after declaring victory in an especially divisive election, President Bush said at a news conference that 'I'll reach out to everyone who shares our goals,' adding that 'I earned capital in this election, and I'm going to spend it.''' Nearly a week later and these statements still chill me.

I'm sure it's true that he'll reach out to those who support him. Trouble is, that leaves nearly half the country out in the cold.

And while I'm not a political pollyanna and understand what it means to spend a little political capital, I think his stating this so bluntly is grossly arrogant at best. At worst it confirms what many critics were predicting should a second term come to pass.