This is the hallmark of a tragically bad executive. But in this case, it couldn’t be more precious. The president of the United States has identified closely with a man he sees as a mythic, heroic figure. But in fact he’s a wily criminal one step out in front of justice. It perfectly reflects Bush the man. . . and Bush the president.
[From “The Illustrated President” by Scott Horton (Harper’s Magazine) ]
What a great story. Rather than a depiction of a pious missionary (I don’t get that by looking at the picture), it’s an illustration of a horse thief trying to outrun a lynch mob.
In the magazine, the illustration bears the caption: “Had His Start Been Fifteen Minutes Longer He Would Not Have Been Caught.”
The full explication is here.