Bush Makes Me Laugh

George W. Bush seems to hover like an enchanted zeppelin above the choppy surface of ordinary politics. Even when a majority disapproves of nearly all the president's policies and believes this nation is going to the dogs, people seem to like and approve of him personally. The poll numbers that track his perceived character and personal appeal stay high even when the other numbers don't. Is it possible for the public to disapprove of everything a man does and still reelect him, still maybe (even) like him? You better believe it.

There are many reasons, but one dominates -- the sort of reason that often passes analysts by. Bush is funny. Americans have no litmus test for the presidency -- but if they did, "sense of humor" might be it. Your sense of humor is an open door that gives other people access to your character, to the person you are. A humorless person is a mystery. We can't ever know him, so we can't ever trust him.

American-style democracy makes humor especially important. We don't look for elevated characters or deep thinkers when we hire a president. We want someone in whom we can recognize ourselves. And we take it for granted that the president must fill the world's most powerful position with dignity but not get puffed-up about it.

We already have a fine national motto: "E Pluribus Unum" ("throw out the Democrats"). But if we ever need a new one, "Never trust a sourpuss" might be a reasonable replacement.

Granted: Sen. John F. Kerry is the perfect matte-black background for a man like Bush. Kerry brings out sterling qualities you never knew Bush had.

Bush is not pompous. Bush is not mean. Bush is not wooden. Bush could not be replaced by a humanoid robot without his friends ever noticing. Bush has friends. Bush is never patronizing. Until he ran for president against Kerry, Bush never used to beat people around the head with phony, meaningless, unverifiable statistics instead of speaking to the point. (Admittedly, he has now learned how, from Kerry.)

Almost always, Bush means what he says. Sometimes he means it so much it hurts. Bush can be painfully sincere; you can see how badly he wants you to understand and agree with him. The European line that he is arrogant is bunk; the European definition of "arrogant" is "any American who doesn't kiss my behind."