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In the early 80s, I once manned the neighboring booth at a county fair in Virginia, next to George's. His Daddy, Red, came through pumping arms once, and then George got his back slapped. But when it was raining or everybody was watching the sheep judging, George and I would chat in the aisle. I was left with two impressions:
1) He was a dim bulb. I was amazed that he graduated from UVA law school, but then...cronyism seems to help some folks in politics as far as educational opportunity goes. But when I talked to him, he groped for words a lot and when he was trying to sound serious and sincere, he struck me as literally empty (i.e., "I don't know how to do serious or sincere.")
2) I like almost everybody and am gregarious. I couldn't like him. I tried for five evenings to like him, and it didn't work. Finally I realized that he reminded me on a gut level, pure instinct, of my brother, a bully with scary eyes. And let me say, there's noone like a graduated victim of intense childhood bullying who can tell you better if someone emits the vibe.
I saw it in George Bush just from photos. The fake bonhomie from someone who literally doesn't have empathy for humanity.
Please, somebody believe me. We can't afford another Incurious George.
