I still can’t decide whether he’s truly stupid or a brilliant actor.

At a brief news conference almost two weeks ago, following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Bush said:
"We have a serious ongoing investigation here, and it's being played out in the press. I think it's best if people wait until the investigation is complete before you jump to conclusions. I don't know all the facts. ... I would like this to end as quickly as possible. And if someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration."

We have a brand new Bushism: “I think it's best if people wait until the investigation is complete before you jump to conclusions.” Once the investigation is complete then it wouldn’t be jumping to conclusions, if I understand the idiomatic phrase correctly. An example of a conclusion that’s jumped to would be the one that the Prevaricator in Chief voiced about Mr. Rove’s innocence over a year ago, when the investigation had just begun.
Mr. Bush is also trying to change the pledge that he made regarding the consequences of leaking classified information. Now he’s saying that anyone who “committed a crime…will no longer work in my administration.” Did he really think we wouldn't notice?
When I first read the above quote I was struck by the sly duplicity of the statement. Then I saw him deliver the lines on CNN videotape and was once again struck by the inarticulate stammering that makes him sound stupid. I still can’t decide whether he’s truly stupid or a brilliant actor.