I’ll toss out another remark from the peanut gallery:
Can certain people grasp the concept of being a “team player”?
He was a cheer leader… not a player. That might explain the difficulty in grasping the “team spirit” beyond shouting words.
This essay gets into why this is important:
You are absolutely right in my case at least, Bush could have studied in every college in Europe but as long he has the views and policies he has now he’s not getting my vote.
But surely you must must admit that it’s better for a person who is supposed to be making foreign policy to have some foreign travel experience, than to have none at all? That it’s at least a very small negative to have never left the country before?
I’d also add his cessation of aid to foreign medical facilities that provide (or even discuss) abortions, rejection of the international global warming treaty, and withdrawal from the International Criminal Court.
The French prefer Kerry.
Guess how much that matters to Joe Sixpack.
Its not about doing a better foreign policy… well not exactly. First and foremost is the realization that there are different places and different people. Once you understand that Texas isn’t the only place in the world and that people have different motivations, different values and different ideas… you can more effectively engage and talk to them. Even if you dupe them… at least you’re more respectful of what they are and want.
My main point though is that Bush was always rich and easily could afford to travel and didn't. He is not a 20 year old cash strapped student. He's a middle aged man that has had NO CURIOSITY about travelling or knowing about the outside world... that is not a good sign. Not even a touristy trip to see London or check out some castles ? Even if you love your home and your town... everyone wants to travel a bit. See new places... and reassure yourself that those foreigners are crazy. At least once ?!