The famous quote, Theres an old saying in Tennessee I know its in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says, fool me once, shame on shame on you.
Fool me you cant get fooled again, is often attributed to George W. Bush.
This quote has been used repeatedly to paint a picture of Bush as a man of limited intellect, a man who was admitted to Yale due to his legacy status and baseball skills, rather than his academic prowess.
The media often portrayed Bush as a relatable figure, the kind of man with whom the average American would enjoy sharing a beer. This portrayal conveniently overlooked the fact that Bush had quit drinking. The underlying message was clear: Bush was no smarter than the average American, and perhaps we should have elected someone with more intellectual heft.
This narrative, however, seems to have lost its relevance in light of the Democrats' endorsement of Joseph Robinette Biden, a man whose mental acuity has been questioned by many. The party that prides itself on intellectual superiority is now rallying behind a potential 2028 presidential candidate who not only appears less intelligent than George W. Bush but also seems to have gained admission to his chosen institution due to his baseball skills.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, in a recent interview with CBS News, hinted at his presidential ambitions for 2028. "Id be lying otherwise," he said, when asked if he was considering a run for the presidency. However, Newsom's subsequent statements raised eyebrows, as he painted a picture of himself as a self-made man who had to hustle to pay the bills. This narrative, however, contradicts his upbringing in a wealthy family, as reported by the Western Journal.
Newsom's claim of a humble upbringing was further debunked by a 1991 San Francisco Chronicle feature titled "Children of the Rich," in which he was featured. This raises the question: how much intellectual prowess does one need to maintain such a contradictory narrative?
The question of intellectual prowess brings us back to the issue of college admissions. A 2004 Washington Post article noted that while George W. Bush had an above-average SAT score, it was not exceptional, especially for a Yale student. However, Bush's score was significantly higher than Newsom's.
According to a 2024 Politico piece, Newsom's SAT score was below average. Despite this, he gained admission to Santa Clara College, a prestigious private Jesuit school where the average SAT score of admitted students is significantly higher than Newsom's score. This discrepancy raises questions about Newsom's admission to Santa Clara College.
Newsom's baseball skills, which he often touts, have also been called into question. Susan Crabtree of RealClearPolitics noted that one of Newsom's contemporaries at Santa Clara, John Savage, the current head UCLA baseball coach, does not recall Newsom being a teammate. Furthermore, Newsom does not appear on Santa Clara's all-time baseball roster.
Crabtree also revealed that Newsom's application to Santa Clara College was accompanied by a personal letter of recommendation from former California Governor Jerry Brown. This connection, along with other influential San Francisco connections, played a key role in Newsom's admission to the university and his placement on the JV baseball team.
Newsom's narrative of a working-class upbringing and his journey to a prestigious college despite a below-average SAT score is riddled with inconsistencies. His portrayal as a self-made man who hustled his way to success contradicts the reality of his privileged upbringing and influential connections.
The media's portrayal of Bush as a man of limited intellect, based on his SAT score, seems hypocritical in light of their support for Newsom, whose SAT score was significantly lower. Standardized test scores may not be a comprehensive measure of one's abilities, but they do provide some insight.
As the quote from Bush suggests, "You cant get fooled again." It is essential to scrutinize the narratives presented by politicians and the media critically.
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