Media already rehabilitating Bush, Cheney

Now that the White House is passing safely back into liberal Democratic hands, the unapologetically-pro-Obama mass media is starting to say nice things about George W. Bush, and yes, even Vice President Dick Cheney.

Presidents frequently rise when historical perspective sets in, as has already happened with Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan. It will take a while, but President Bush will go down as one of the great occupants of the office.

The current media is only admitting that he is gracious, and a nice guy, in hosting the Obamas at the White House. There is also a few references to how the Bush team is being a lot more cooperative with the incoming Obama transition group, than President Bill Clinton was with the incoming Bushies.

Clinton, as you'll recall, stripped the White House of furniture, nick nacks and trashed the West Wing offices, leaving communications systems and computers inoperable. It was so bad that the Justice Department forced the Clintons to return a lot of things.

What will take longer is to give proper credit to the significant accomplishments of the Bush White House: keeping America safe, as there have been no further terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11. For bringing the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to a place where democracy can flourish in those former dictatorships. For appointing John Roberts and Samuel Alioto to the U.S. Supreme Court, both distinguished legal scholars, regardless of philosophy.

Dick Cheney has been one of the strongest vice presidents in history, which is why the Democrats like to bash him so much. As a former leader in the U.S. House, Defense Secretary and White House Chief of Staff, Cheney had the institutional knowledge to see the value in restoring the power and prerogatives of the executive branch, and has worked from the inside to burnish the presidency. He has been the power behind the throne on terrorism, a strong hand for President Bush.

History will cut through the present day politics, and clawing for partisan advantage, to record what a strong presidency the George W. Bush administration really was.