Since the departure of political adviser Karl Rove, yet another of Bush’s aides leaving his side, I have been moved to pray more for our president. Regardless of what one thinks of his presidency, he has one of the most difficult jobs in the world, one that is under constant scrutiny and criticism.
The New York Times will be releasing some personal Bush interview material by Robert Draper over the next month, beginning this Tuesday. These interviews contain quite candid information about Bush’s personal struggles, under the weight of war and presidential responsibility, which will eventually inform a book. In them we see a more human Bush.
Bush describes his sense of isolation and loneliness when probed about his feelings as president. He was quick to point out that he does his best to “keep things relatively light-hearted” around the White House, in an effort to not increase the burden of others–a noble effort. He does his best to put away self-pity. When Draper made the observation that the president has no shoulder to cry on, Bush replied “I’ve got God’s shoulder to cry on, and I cry a lot. I do a lot of crying in this job.”
Not what we would expect to hear from the often defensive, strong executive leader of our nation. Perhaps his vulnerability and compassion, which spill over into tears, could be an example for all men, Democrat or Republican. The loss of life in the Iraq war, politics aside, is grief worthy. And no doubt, there are tears that we would shed if we had a shoulder to shed them on, but instead we often “suck it up” and bury our grief. If God is good enough for the president, he is good enough for me.