PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

If you want to consider a stark contrast, just look at two presidents – former president George H.W. Bush and the current one, Donald Trump.

I suggest this on the “occasion” of the passing of President, Bush 41 as he was called.

Bush, whatever you think of his record, was a solid citizen who loved his family and his country.

Trump, whatever you think of his record, appears only to love himself, more than anything else, including his family and his country.

For my part, I thought Bush 41 came to the presidency with one of the most impressive records of anyone to ascend to the country’s highest political office.

He served as ambassador to the United Nations, chair of the Republican National Committee, envoy to China and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Then, he became vice president under Ronald Reagan, a position which set him up to run for president. He made it, but only for one term when he was ousted by Bill Clinton.

He may have lost because he was not particularly adept at the communication arts of being president.

The Clinton win appeared to be tough for Bush, not surprisingly because it’s never pleasant to lose, but he rebounded and, incredibly, even with Clinton after the Democrats’ two terms, worked successfully on a variety of philanthropic campaigns, including helping Louisiana residents cope with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

When he left the White House for the final time as president, he followed through on a tradition, which is he wrote a letter to his successor and left it on the Oval Office desk. Except, he did with humility and personal flair. Here is what it said:

Dear Bill,

When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.

I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.

There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.

You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.

Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.

Good Luck — George

As he so often does, Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson, who worked for Bush 43, wrote well about the elder Bush’s passing.

“Being one of the youngest Navy pilots in World War II, and blessed with longevity, George H.W. Bush was among the last of his cohort (a cohort of young Americans sharing a massive, overwhelming experience of economic depression or war) to leave us. As intelligence chief, diplomat and president, he brought to his calling a set of values that might be called patrician. He was less ‘New Frontier’ and more old-school. He rose in government on the impulse of service. He lived by high standards of decency, fair play, humility, love of family and love of country. He was relentlessly moderate in both temperament and political instinct.

“This type of ‘establishment’ code is easier to lampoon than replace. So much of what a graceless age dismisses as repression is actually politeness, compassion and dignity.”

Gerson adds that Bush’s moral sensibilities turned out to be exactly what was needed at a decisive historical moment, the collapse of the Soviet Union under the weight of its economic and moral failure. What was needed from the United States, Gerson wrote, “was patience, wisdom, steady purpose and the generosity of true power. In presiding over the breaking of nations, an excess of vision or ambition might have been dangerously disruptive. Crowing would have led to bitterness and unpredictable anger. And Bush was incapable of crowing.

“Bush’s life provides assurance that sometimes things go gloriously right. Sometimes Americans vote for a decent and honest leader. Sometimes a president finds his calling and his moment. Sometimes a good man meets a good end. And still. It is a sad and solemn task to dig the graves of giants.”

Remember, the line from Saturday Night Live – “Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent.”

While a laugh line, the word “prudent” summed up Bush 41 in two syllables.

He wasn’t known for excitement or inspiration. His prudence, however, was no joke.

Imagine saying such words as prudent and service-oriented about Donald Trump? No.

Instead, he exudes no commitment to public service or, in fact, to family. He lacks prudence. He appears to parade around the White House, when he is not at his Mara Logo resort in Florida, as if he owns the place rather that being “just” its current occupant.

Trump is not capable of leading the country effectively and fairly in the face of either national or international incidents, as was the case with Bush 41 in both spheres.

As we remember Bush 41, even as his casket goes on Air Force One today to Texas for final burial, his presidency continues to receive widespread plaudits regardless of political party. Was he or it perfect? No. No one could be.

But he led with strength, integrity, compassion and humility — characteristics that define a truly great man and effective leader.

Too bad we don’t have someone with similar high qualities in the White House at the moment.