Questions of Character

Hullabaloo has an interesting observation about something that apparently was on MSNBC or Hardball (I'm assuming the "Matthews" he refers to is Chris).

Matthews just interviewed Joe Lockhart and mentioned the new zogby poll question "If your car was broken down on the side of the road, who do you think would stop and help you?" Shockingly, 32% said John Kerry and 40% said Junior.

Then Digby goes on to point out the following: Not only did John Kerry pull Jim Rassman out of a canal in Vietnam, he also saved the life of then US Senator Chic Hecht of Nevada back in 1988. Seems that Hecht was choking on a piece of apple--Kerry was the only one who realized what was happening, and his quick thinking (literally just in time) kept Hecht from, at the very least, slipping into a coma.

Could anyone imagine Dubya doing anything like that?

Digby closes with the following paragraphs, which I think aptly describe Bush's true character:

Remember James Byrd's family in Jasper texas begging him to help them pass hate crimes legislation?

"I went in there pleading to him," Mullins says. "I said that if he helped me move it along I would feel that he hadn't died in vain ... [Rep.] Thompson said, 'Gov. Bush, what Renee's trying to say is, Would you help her pass the bill?' And he said, 'No.' Just like that."

"He had a nonchalant attitude, like he wanted to hurry up and get out of there," Mullins says. "It was cold in that room."

Remember when his daughter had an emergency appendectomy?

As he boarded the plane, reporters inquired about Jenna's condition. 'Maybe she'll be able to join us in Florida,' the president-elect said. 'If not, she can clean her room.' The reporters stared at him, stunned. 'I couldn't believe it,' one of those present later said. 'First of all, I'm a father, and I cannot imagine a scenario in which my daughter would have major surgery and I would just leave on vacation. And then he just seemed so snarly about it, like he was pissed at her.'"

Not only wouldn't he stop to help you at the side of the road, he's the type who'd slow down and stare at you, then laugh uproariously and hit the gas, spraying gravel in your face as he sped away.