I tend to believe that historical events that are out of anyone’s control tend to shape presidents, not that presidents shape the times we live in.
Bush was dealt a bad hand with 9/11, Katrina, and especially the start to his presidency with the disputed 2000 election. Granted, many mistakes were made but he’s faced challenges unlike other presidents.
In 1941, a Democrat with falling polls was dealt a similar bad hand. He fixed the problem in three years and eight months. Why can't we?