NewsBusters readers know Ellen Ratner as the perilously liberal news analyst typically offering the left-wing views on Fox News Watch.
On Thursday, Ratner published an article titled "George W. Bush Has Saved More Lives Than Any American President" that is guaranteed to shock the heck out of you as it angers folks on her side of the aisle:
"George W. Bush, not Barack Obama, is the real American hero in Africa," she amazingly began. "Take it from me, a liberal Democrat who voted for Obama twice."
After discussing her knowledge of the problems on that continent, Ratner continued her praise of our 43rd president:
Back in early 2008, when I started my work in South Sudan--I have been working closely with Christian Solidarity International--everyone was excited about the possibility of Barack Obama becoming president. [...]
Indeed, after Obama won the U.S. election in November of 2008, many Africans, in South Sudan, and everywhere else, were proud to wear T-shirts with photos of President Obama on them
Yet now that Obama’s first term has drawn to a close, the positive buzz about Obama has dramatically shifted; the Obama excitement, and the T-shirts, have most disappeared.
In fact, South Sudanese today are thinking more about another U.S. president: that would be Obama’s predecessor, Bush 43. As a liberal Democrat and Obama supporter, I was particularly struck by this. Yes, Bush is a hero in Africa, and Americans, too, should know why.
No American president, before or since, has had Bush’s vision and determination to save so many millions of lives.
As you likely surmised, Ratner was referring to Bush's African AIDS program (PEPFAR).
"Five million children, women and men have received antiretroviral treatment under PEPFAR," Ratner wrote. "In 2010 alone, 600,000 pregnant mothers received treatment so their newborn children would not be infected. Yes, millions of people live productive, healthy lives due to Bush 43."
After discussing a new program the Bush's are working on to fight cervical cancer, Ratner concluded, ""[T]his liberal commentator thanks president and Mrs. Bush every single day for their amazing and tireless work for humanity. They are wonderful role models for future leaders around the world. I wish more leaders would follow the shining example of George W. and Laura Bush."
Indeed, and I wish more liberal media members would follow the shining example of Ellen Ratner by being willing to give praise to politicians on the other side of the aisle when they deserve.
Brava, Ellen! Brava!
