President George W. Bush (Reuters)

According to many, the terrorist attacks of September 11th transformed the Bush presidency from one of uncertainty and trepidation to confidence and competency.

The media elites, clearly content to parrot the phrases and buzzwords of liberal Democrat operatives, repeatedly questioned Bush’s intellect or his capacity to lead. The bold signs of leadership were there all along. Predictably, the true intellectual lightweights of the media failed to see them.

Closer examination of the evidence will reveal the truth of Bush’s transformation. It was not George W. Bush who changed. Rather, American attitudes regarding the man did. The evidence was there for all the world to see.

On the strength of his own character, the President refused to yield on his campaign promise to cut personal income taxes. Despite stubborn opposition at home and abroad, Bush boldly stood his ground on building a missile defense shield. He refused to accept the faulty scientific claims of global warming and willingly surrender the U.S. economy to the stipulations of the Kyoto treaty. The administration wisely boycotted the United Nations’ conference on racism, because the participants insisted on reparations for slavery and the bigoted condemnation of Israel.

Tony Blair (Reuters)

Vladimir Putin (AP)

In his first overseas visit, Bush’s commitment to principle won the hearts and minds of his international critics. Along the way, the President’s honest and forthright approach to negotiations successfully persuaded friend and foe alike. Britain’s Tony Blair (left) and Russia’s Vladimir Putin (right) have become two of Bush’s most ardent supporters.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and in his response to them, Bush has become the unquestioned leader of the free world. Yet his leadership has not stopped with the military successes in Afghanistan.

In choosing to neglect the antiquated 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty with the former Soviet Union, the administration has placed America’s security ahead of political expediency. Despite this bold decision, Bush has not lost the trust of the Russian leader.

Much has been made of his personal charisma. However, as we learned from the previous administration, capable leadership demands something more substantial than a roguish ability to charm the media.

In his speech before a joint session of Congress, Bush prepared the American people for the war to come. He explained his position; he leveled with them. He made no false promises. He told them that the war on terror would not be won quickly. The polls now tell us that the American people support expansion of the war effort.

In a refreshing change from the previous eight years, Bush did not poll the American people to see what he should believe. Instead, he said the things he already believed and changed the opinions of the American people. That is what real leaders do.

Men of great vision cannot be found standing in the middle of the road. They cross against the traffic and urge others to join them. In short, they show us the way and inspire us to follow. Bush has repeatedly displayed these rare qualities of leadership.

During the Clinton administration, the pundits often stated, "The President is still searching for his voice." But George W. Bush did not find his voice after September 11th. The simple truth is: the voice was always there. Unfortunately, half of the country was not listening.

Perhaps it is the President’s faith that puts steel in his spine. Perhaps it is the immensely qualified team that he has assembled. Whatever the reason, Bush’s first year has eliminated any doubts--even among his detractors--that he is not equal to the job.

On September 11th, President Bush was not reborn, but the attitudes of many Americans were.