Frankly yes. The Republican party, rather like our own Tory party, loves the rhetoric of confrontation.

Such rhetoric is addictive and alluring stuff for all leaders of men. They get to strut and puff themselves up to feelings of great importance.

With Maggie Thatcher, it cost hundreds more lives in Northern Ireland, where a more conciliatory tone would have prevented a lot of bloodshed.

You'll have to work out your own body count, and the great advantages of George playing at being a 'wartime President'.