The answer to the question about what the Bush administration during the first 8 months is of course
"not much". Clinton had eight years of avoidance and denial prior to Bush. And Bush made a big mistake by keeping ANY relations with ANY of Clinton's holdovers.
A great deal fell on Bush's head on 9-11, and our entire political system and 99% of our "representatives" were revealed to have been unable or unwilling to protect us, which is their FIRST responsibility. There has been an enormous and relentless game of catch-up ever since, and it may go on for many years more. I can't see it cooling down, or simplifying itself anytime soon.
Thank you that is what I am saying. Bush largely followed many of Clinton's policies prior to 9/11 and concentrated on tax cuts. In all fairness to both Bush and Clinton nobody saw 9/11 coming.