A Brief History of Bush's Time

The American Thinker ^ | 8-27-08 | Randall Hoven

[jackv]

The current narrative of the Bush Presidency is that it is a failure (believed by 107 of 109 historians surveyed) and that George W. Bush is the worst President in history (believed by 61% of those surveyed historians). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said, "The president already has the mark of the American people -- he's the worst president we ever had."

That's one narrative. I have another.

[mainerforglobalwarming]

I think Bush has been weak on immigration issues to say the least. But he has done a few positive things.
1. Alito and Roberts
2. Inherited a recession, made worse by the events of 9/11. Say what you will about our economy, it's in far better shape today than when Bush took over or would have been if the Clinton sympathizers were running the WOT
3. We've had a complete victory in Iraq. We'll be out in 2 or 3 years. If the Iraqis choose the path of free markets and freedom over a civil conflict, the war on terror will be won. In time it will transform Iran and other middle east states, and leave no safe harbors for the terrorist scum. The left complains about the money we spent in Iraq. Well worth it if it translates into a safer world. Can't say the same for the great society trillions can we.

[bassmaner]

Being academics, who largely skew left, most historians have a pretty myopic view of presidential history.

IMO, that's proof of just how corrupt the modern academy has become. How a so-called 'historian' can pass a historical judgement on a sitting president is beyond me. Although Ronald Reagan is considered one of the greats, I don't think enough time has elapsed from the end of his administration to accurately access where he stands in the presidential pantheon.

AFAIAC, judging simply by the amount of liberty gained or lost during his term the worst president ever was Woodrow Wilson (with FDR a close second). And the greatest was George Washington.

[A_Former_Democrat]

I thank George Bush for his TREMENDOUS leadership during 9/11.

That speech he gave before Congress a week or so later was the best I’ll ever witness.

Leadership during time of crisis is leadership at its finest.

Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton provided NO leadership . . . ever.

[Pietro]

This survey says far more about the absymal state of most history departments than it does about W.

I've had issues w/ some of his decisions but he's a man w/ convictions and God knows thats in short supply in DC these days.

[STARWISE]

I have a feeling those words will be
sticking in your craw on January 20, 2009,
and worse: the ensuing years.

Thank God for Pres. George W. Bush. Right
man ... right time. I only wish I could
vote for him again.

[Laserman]

As a president, Carter was the worst. As a human being, Clinton was the worst!

[STARWISE]

~~TOTAL Pres. Bush gratitude dittos!

~~~~

“However tempting it might be to some, when much trouble lies ahead, to step aside adroitly and put someone else up to take the blows, I do not intend to take that cowardly course, but, on the contrary, to stand to my post and persevere in accordance with my duty as I see it.”

If we use these words of Winston Churchill to judge our presidents, did President Bush “step aside adroitly” or did he stand his post and “persevere”? He has surely taken the blows.”

[jackv]

He certainly did. And somehow kept his wits about him.
That is the line that sends shivers.
What a good a decent man.
So sad how many refuse to see the light.

[ravingnutter]

Great article...thanks.

[prairiebreeze]

So sad how many refuse to see the light.

Oh, some people would gripe if you hung them with a new rope. I don't pay attention to them. NO president is going to do every single thing to my liking and to think otherwise (like some apparently do) is childish.

Sure, there are things I wish Bush would've done or done differently. There were some issues I had with Reagan too. But overall, Bush's been a good President, far, far better than anything the left has been able to offer for 40 years.

[jveritas]

When history will be written 20 years from now and the Bush hatred would have subsided by that time, then History will remember President Bush as one of our greatest Presidents ever.

President George W Bush changed the course of history forever and toward the best. He destroyed two terrorist regime in Iraq and Afghanistan, led our troops to free 50 million people on oppression, and led our troops to destroy Al Qaeda in Iraq and many other places. He kept us safe from terrorists attack since 9/11/2001.

On the domestic fronnt his tax cuts gave us a strong economy for 6 consecutive years. He appointed two of the best judges for the US Supreme court.

All the other domestic issue that conservatives about are totally meaningless when the legacy of the President is written. Liberals as usual will be shown again on the wrong side of History and they will be badly portrayed in 20 years from now or the best case scenario that they would not be mentioned at all becuse they were too insignifanct to be remembered.

No other President has changed the course of history this way since FDR, not even Reagan.

God Bless President Bush and our brave troops

[Liberty Valance]

44’s mistakes - (hindsight is always 20-20)

1) Believing that all Americans were actually patriots.
2) Leaving Rumsfeld in place a year past expiratrion date.
3) Scott McClelland
4) Harriet Miers
5) Support for disasterous ‘bi-partisan’ immigration legislation.

Some worse than others ... without the Harriet Miers fiasco we may never have gotten to Alito. The immigration legislation actually got the silent majority to the national microphone and stopped it in it’s tracks.

Overall I agree he’s been a good President if not somewhat naive about the media and the ruthlessness of the DC beltway crowd.

JMHO ;o)

[avenir]

I love President Bush. It’s sad to hear an old reprobate like Reid slandering a man who is so far above him in character and integrity. Age doesn't guarantee wisdom.

[Adder]

You know, if the choice was Bush or some dumble like she-whose-name-cannot-be-mentioned, nobama, or any of a whole host of communist a-holes, I would still vote for Bush.

His domestic agenda was a betrayal of conservatism, thats true. But he is still head and shoulders above anyone currently in Denver at that Special Olympics they are having at the Pepsi Center.

[Dilbert56]

The President's supporters should issue an answering statement:

"When the war in Iraq hung in the balance, Harry Reid said: 'This war is lost'. He is the Senate Majority leader. As one of his party's top leaders he gave aid and comfort to our enemies. Harry Reid is a traitor. "

[sazerac]

Whenever people explain why they don't like President Bush they're always wrong. There's stuff he knows that we just don't.

People want all the illegals gone but get outraged at the idea of paying a higher minimum wage. Well what do you think would happen to the minimum wage if suddenly all the cheap labor was gone?

Bush has more courage and character than anybody I've ever known.

[VRWCmember]

at that Special Olympics they are having at the Pepsi Center.

Please don't disparage the Special Olymics or its participants like that. Don't be like algore who thought it funny to refer to conservative republicans as "the extra-chromosome wing of the republican party" in an attempt to show his intellectual superiority to them. Pretty arrogant and pig-headed of a divinity school flunkee.

[WOSG]

MISunderestimaed Bush.

[jwalsh07]

Liberal Historians don't like growth in GDP, tax cuts, the liberation of millions of folks under the thumb of fascism, lower abortion rates, historically low unemployment rates or the fact that America has not suffered any further attacks by islamofascits since 9/11.

Eff'em.

Oh and for the record LBJ was the worst POTUS ever by far.

[djsherin]

Well, we can agree to disagree. I just feel Bush has been a disappointment. JMO