The Man in the Arena - from 26 to 41 to 43
One of Teddy Roosevelt's classic writings spoke of "The Man in the Arena"

George H. W. Bush, father of the current president, often spoke of such as one of his great inspirations and as a source of solace for those times when efforts failed but were undertaken with determination nonetheless. President George W. Bush demonstrated he has also been greatly influenced by both men in his choice of theme and setting for his 2004 Acceptance Speech - the convention video, narrated by former Senator Fred Thompson, with its ending featuring the post 9/11 strike thrown to open the World Series in NY that year, was likened to the man in the arena, as was the revised stage itself. It's interesting because it shows the degree to which President Bush, himself, was involved in the details of the planning and the influence of his father before.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasms , the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows at the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat."

- posted by SEO LinkTagstic @ 1:16 AM