The Legacy of George W. Bush

The Constitution Club ^ | 2-08-09 | Damien Veatch

[TheConservativeCitizen]

There have been fewer Presidents in American history who were more unlikely men for the job than George Walker Bush. Diplomatically called “a late bloomer,” Bush was a partying frat boy up to the age of 40, whereupon he quit drinking and focused on his professional goals. These included making money and securing the financial future of his family, but there is no evidence that, even then, he saw himself as a future political leader. The study of history and current events is captivating not because of the predictable, but precisely because the predictable is constantly thwarted by events. Events have a funny way of doing that.

In 1994, the 48-year old Bush was approached by a young, brash, and confident Texas Republican political operative who convinced Bush that he could win the governorship of Texas, and in the process defeat the woman who smeared his father at the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. Bush accepted the challenge issued by Karl Rove, won his race against Ann Richards, and became just the fourth Republican to govern the Lone Star State. Just as significantly, on the same evening, George’s younger brother lost a tight gubernatorial election of his own 900 miles to the east. It was Jeb Bush who had always been seen as the future Bush political leader, as he was the more talented and politically engaged of the brethren. But the events of November 8, 1994 forever changed the course of the Bush family enterprise, and of the world.

[Polybius]

George’s younger brother lost a tight gubernatorial election of his own 900 miles to the east. It was Jeb Bush who had always been seen as the future Bush political leader, as he was the more talented and politically engaged of the brethren.

If only.

George W. Bush meant well but he was in over his head.

The point at which I completely lost faith in him was after Katrina.

The Katrina fiasco was the result of a Democrat Mayor and a Democrat Governor ignoring their own Evacuation Plan and leaving thousands of low income people trapped like rats (no pun intended) in a Surge Zone protected by levees rated for a Category 3 storm when Katrina was predicted to hit as a Category 5.

It was nothing less than criminal negligence.

After Katrina hit and those thousands of stranded people dumped an impossible logistics problem on the Federal Government, George W. Bush simply allowed the Rats to paint him as an uncaring racist without even trying to defend himself.

Has anybody on Free Republic EVER heard George W. Bush mention these?

Ever?

George W. Bush allowed the Republican "brand" to be tarnished as badly as Jimmy Carter allowed the "liberal" brand to be tarnished and, now, thanks to that tarnishing, Barack Obama is President of the United States of America.

We can only wonder what would have happened if Jeb Bush had become President instead.

[Polybius]

I expected more replies to the thread after I took the time to write my post.

The fact that a thread entitled "The Legacy of George W. Bush" mustered one single reply in 20 minutes after being posted on Free Republic speaks volumes.

[softengine]

Indeed.

[GOP Golfer]

ping

[LanaTurnerOverdrive]

Chirp chirp....

[Tellurian]

I blame the mainstream media. They should have reported the faults of local government, but it was just too sexy for them to pass up the Bush bashing. That’s what they think their job is. They could care less about the facts that get in the way. Bush couldn’t have said anything that would have lessened the attacks on him ... he’d just have looked like Obambi looks now, trying to focus blame elsewhere.

[A.Hun]

It’s just not worth getting into a shooting match at midnight on Monday.

This guy’s analysis wasn’t too bad, although his take on the war was ridiculous. Bush and Rumsfeld managed to defeat Saddam, defeat Alqeda, and defeat the insurgents in less than five years and less that 4000 American GIs dead. They also avoided mass casualties in the civilian populace and a general humanitarian crisis. They also did it on the cheap.

That was while rebuilding America’s defenses and keeping the Taliban on the defense in Afghanistan.

As for Katrina, the press had demonized him before Katrina hit. If he had blamed Nagin and Blanco, they would only have savaged him worse.

I’ll wait a few years for a real take on GWB’s presidency.

[johnnycap]

It all comes down to communications. If Bush had been able to communicate better and more often, I think the outcome or initial exit opinions would have been fonder.

[Redbob]

We’d have been better off if he’d kept on drinking, at least in moderation.
And if he’d read at least the Wall Street Journal...

[TexasKamaAina]

I don’t think I’ve read a better summary of the Bush administration or a better evaluation of Bush the man.

[Krodg]

The fact that a thread entitled "The Legacy of George W. Bush" mustered one single reply in 20 minutes after being posted on Free Republic speaks volumes.

Yes, it says we are tired of posts looking to start another bash Bush session.

Why don't you focus your energy on the baboon in office?

[Polybius]

Yes, it says we are tired of posts looking to start another bash Bush session. Why don't you focus your energy on the baboon in office?

If you go to my Profile page and click "In Forum", you will see that I have been blasting him with both barrels. Any more blasting and the barrels would melt.

That, however, does not change the fact that, if it weren't for the abysmal performance of George W. Bush, Obama would most likely not BE in office.

We have Jimmy Carter to thank for Reagan.

We have George W. Bush to thank for Obama.

[gtsamson]

W is the most misunderstood president in history. I hope, one day, the American people will realize just how much he did for them.

[gtsamson]

You’re blame-Bush-first attitude is disgusting. It wasn’t W who cost McCain the election, but conservative purists who foolishly stayed home and allowed Obama to win because McCain wouldn’t promise them every little thing they wanted.

[BuckeyeTexan]

No, we have ACORN-sponsored voter fraud and a nation full of “gimme-gimmies” to thank for Obama. President Bush has enough undeserved weight on his shoulders. To blame him for the disaster that is the Obama Presidency is, quite frankly, disgusting. I’m embarassed for you.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Thank you for posting this article.

[aquila48]

A couple things I would add to his achievements are two things he DIDN’T do.

He didn’t join the Kyoto treaty and he didn’t join the ICC - two organizations that will strip away our sovereignty, and that most likely Obama will join.

[djf]

Sadly, I think it will be in the dictionary near “Bubonic plague” or “San Francisco earthquake”.
Something like that.

[1035rep]

bttt