“Note: awful in the sense of inspiring awe.”

She inspires affection. So did Reagan. So did Churchill (at least on this side of the Atlantic).

I’m not sure we need an awesome leader. Isn’t that what Obama was supposed to be?

When Reagan’s funeral cortage went by on the LA 405 freeway, traffic on both sides of the freeway stopped and parted for his hearse in respect. I don’t think it was awe that made people of all races and social status pay that sort of respect to him.

And what I feel for Dubya is affection … for him as a Texan, as an American, and as a President who tried him damndest to keep us safe.

(BTW, I’m with Mongoose on the WTC hole. I’m appalled that the hole is still there, and we haven’t managed to re-erect those towers bigger and better and taller. Even a third world country like Dubai is able to put up a new building in the time New York has been dithering. But then NY is solidly pro-Obama, so they must *like* dithering.)