George W. Bush, Patron Saint of Wusses

There is something almost touching about watching George W. Bush tiptoe around Donald Trump as if Trump is a skittish longhorn instead of a four-alarm constitutional fire.

Bush recently penned a reverent meditation on George Washington — Father of Our Country, Reluctant Ruler, Patron Saint of Peaceful Transfers of Power. It was all there: Washington surrendering power like a gentleman farmer returning borrowed tools, Washington warning against faction, Washington understanding that the presidency is a lease, not a lifetime appointment.

And if you squint hard enough — perhaps with the same narrowed eyes Bush used when he once conjured up Saddam Hussein’s WMD inventory — you could almost see the silhouette of Trump flickering behind the prose.

Washington relinquished power voluntarily. Washington did not inflame mobs. Washington did not hawk merchandise with his own name in 72-point font. Washington did not treat the Constitution as an inconvenient suggestion.

It is all so very pointed. And yet — not pointed at anyone in particular.

That is the Bush way: condemn in muted watercolor when the moment demands oil and fire.

The question is not whether Bush sees what Trump is. Of course he does. Bush may have misjudged Vladimir Putin’s soul, but he is not blind to the fact that Trump has no respect for our constitution, its norms, or our closest allies.

The question is why Bush won’t say it out loud…