G
gilliam
Guest
This NRO piece recounts the meeting between Sharansky and President Bush, and gives a suggestion of how much Sharansky’s book may have influenced Bush’s thinking in the immediate aftermath of the election. Money quote from Sharansky:
"I told the president, ‘There is a great difference between politicians and dissidents. Politicians are focused on polls and the press. They are constantly making compromises. But dissidents focus on ideas. They have a message burning inside of them. They would stand up for their convictions no matter what the consequences.’
“I told the president, ‘In spite of all the polls warning you that talking about spreading democracy in the Middle East might be a losing issue — despite all the critics and the resistance you faced — you kept talking about the importance of free societies and free elections. You kept explaining that democracy is for everybody. You kept saying that only democracy will truly pave the way to peace and security. You, Mr. President, are a dissident among the leaders of the free world.’”
[Bush and Natan Sharansky](http://strangewomenlying(name removed by moderator)onds.typepad.com/strange_women_lying_in_po/2005/01/americas_vital_.html)
"I told the president, ‘There is a great difference between politicians and dissidents. Politicians are focused on polls and the press. They are constantly making compromises. But dissidents focus on ideas. They have a message burning inside of them. They would stand up for their convictions no matter what the consequences.’
“I told the president, ‘In spite of all the polls warning you that talking about spreading democracy in the Middle East might be a losing issue — despite all the critics and the resistance you faced — you kept talking about the importance of free societies and free elections. You kept explaining that democracy is for everybody. You kept saying that only democracy will truly pave the way to peace and security. You, Mr. President, are a dissident among the leaders of the free world.’”
[Bush and Natan Sharansky](http://strangewomenlying(name removed by moderator)onds.typepad.com/strange_women_lying_in_po/2005/01/americas_vital_.html)