No George Washington.

Bush's grandiosity is getting embarrassing. He likes to compare himself to the greats, but he doesn't measure up. On President's Day, for instance, he went to Mount Vernon. "This is the home of the first George W.," he said. And he compared "George Washington's long struggle for freedom" with his own military adventures.

Bush cited Washington's Farewell Address as support for these adventures. But such support is hard to find if you examine that address. Here are some of things that Washington said there:

"Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all."

"Cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace."

"Permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded."

He cautioned against "projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives."

And, 165 years before Eisenhower, he warned against "overgrown military establishments which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty."

Washington underscored the need for the Constitution to be "sacredly maintained," calling it "obligatory upon all."

He particularly warned against "usurpation" by one branch of government over another. He called this "the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed."

In fact, he referred to it as "real despotism."

In his Second Inaugural Address (which Bush wisely didn't mention), Washington was clear about what should happen to a President who does not uphold the Constitution.

"If it shall be found during my administration of the government I have in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony."

Call George Washington as a witness for Bush's impeachment.

This month, early as it is, we kick off our coverage of the 2008 elections. We're delighted to have Cindy Sheehan writing on Hillary Clinton, Salim Muwakkil on Barack Obama, and Ruth Conniffon A1 Franken. But a word of clarification is in order before we proceed any further: The Progressive does not endorse candidates. We'll be running many articles over the next year and a half on various contenders. None of the stories constitutes a formal endorsement of any candidate by The Progressive itself.

This is our first issue without Molly Ivins, whose voice is irreplaceable. In her slot this month we have the luxury of putting Will Durst, and you may see others there in the months to come. But there will always be just one Molly Ivins. I've been overwhelmed by the sympathy that has poured in over her tragic death. Crestfallen, many readers have also sent donations to The Progressive in her memory. If you'd like to do so as well, we're facilitating that by enclosing an envelope on page 25. Contributions in Molly's memory are tax-deductible. We promise to carry her torch: to fight for democracy and civil liberties, and to laugh along the way.