George W Bush – a champion of liberty

To lefties, George W Bush is the most despised politician on earth. He’s not that popular amongst traditional Conservatives either, who seem as embarrassed of his record as they are of his well publicised gaffes.

But ever since 9/11, Bush has consistently championed the values of freedom and democracy across the globe and where necessary, been prepared to back his words with action – military action.

Tomorrow he arrives in Asia for the Olympics, and will tell China’s leaders that “America stands in firm opposition to China’s detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists. We speak….. not to antagonise China’s leaders but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential.”

I am not a Bush apologist and there is much in his record that can be rightly criticised. Yet I doubt Gordon Brown or any of Europe’s other leaders will use the next couple of weeks to speak out with such clarity against the Chinese regime. They will be too worried about upsetting Chinese sensitivities and damaging trade links.