A FAMOUS GROUSE
GEORGE W Bush rises this morning secure in the knowledge that he no longer enjoys the dubious reputation of being the worst American president in history. So claim the regulars here at the Mahogany Ridge.
But that’s not strictly true. James Buchanan, who disastrously misread the slavery issue and the secession of the southern states that led to civil war, is widely regarded as the worst US president.
There are those who suggest we should cut Donald Trump some slack. This, after all, is his moment; in Washington, the celebrations — and protests — are still ongoing in a manner that is very, very bigly (as the West Wig is wont to have it put) and he really hasn’t yet had an opportunity to do much damage as the so-called leader of the (greatly alarmed) free world.
Thursday evening’s pre-inauguration bash, the Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration, didn’t attract much in the way of A-list entertainers. It really is a large fail that even a Bruce Springsteen tribute band turned the gig down rather than upset their friends.
But then this was never about recycled Boss, and Boris Epshteyn, director of communications for the Inaugural Committee, has been pooh-poohing concerns about the “modest” line-up for weeks now. “This is not Woodstock,” he told CNN last month. “It’s not a summer jam. It’s not a concert.”