That gave an insight into the deep passive-aggressive character flaw in this guy. To do such a thing in jest is one thing. To do it publicly in the context of running for the office of the President is beyond alarming. It demonstrates deep issues, contempt, and complete lack of self-control.
Right. It shows a total lack of respect for the very Office of President. Whatever you can say about W, and there are for sure some legitimate gripes, he had an obvious respect for the Office. And that's really what it's all about. Presidents, like us, are just mortals who are here for a time and then gone. The Republic is supposed to transcend generations by way of its Offices and Institutions.
This is also why fidelity to the Constitution is so important, and why I find myself "getting salty" when people (even some on the nominal Right) sort of roll their eyes and say "Oh geez, not this Constitution crap again". Fidelity to the Constitution is the only way the Republic can transcend generations. If we had true fidelity to the Constitution, the personalities who occupy the office wouldn't matter so much, because all they would need to be is a competent administrator. Somewhere along the way we swallowed this mythology about "great presidents" needing to be transformational or involved in steering legislative agendas, etc. It's all completely counter to the role of a good President.
