9-11 happened and Bush has said in every speech that "9-11 changed everything". He was not a nation-builder and in debates with Gore had criticized the Clinton administration of overstepping in its foreign policy. However, he became a "democracy-builder" and without hesitation or conflict believes that establishment of solid, capitalist democracies in the Middle East is the path to peace in that region. Over 130,000,000 votes have been caste in free elections by people in Afghanistan and Iraq and places that democracy has not long been the tradition (e.g., Ukraine). If you can hold onto democracy, voting is habit forming and this is a sea change in the way those countries have governed themselves. If for nothing else, and for our security for the past seven years, he should be praised.
In spite of being portrayed as a boob, his speeches have been worth reading and keeping and, unlike many Presidents, he does actively participate in the speech-writing process. When not spun or spliced, his delivery has been Churchillian and many, such as the one to Congress in September 2001 after 9-11 show a world vision that is inspirational.
One of the minor miracles that happened prior to 9-11 was the lowering of tax rates that allowed our economy to heal in spite of the most devastating attack ever on American soil. This was no small feat and supports the importance of keeping the Bush tax rates, especially because we do not know what is around the corner, financially or militarily.
Rather than being scorned he should be lauded for getting money to Africa for AIDS. Nobody else is doing it and he has committed nearly the entire amount of funding they need to fight AIDS. AIDS could literally wipe out Africa, which is I guess what everyone wants to happen. Between AIDS relief and nets to protect children from malaria, Bush has been a savior to those people.
Is he perfect? No, and he would be the first to admit it. He's a former alcoholic who has been brought to God through humility. But he knows who he is and right from wrong and polls are just distractions from doing the right thing when you have the chance. He's not Clinton, looking for glory in his legacy. He's not a Jimmy Carter trying to make trouble everytime he opens his mouth. Unlike the Clinton's, he and his wife are welcoming and gracious to the incoming President.He knows, and trusts, that when it's all over, the only acceptance that's needed is God's welcoming you to Heaven.
I do so agree with you on this. He has governed tirelessly and faithfully. I for one appreciate the job he has done.
I am with you, MHT.
Bush did his best with the cards, and Osama Bin Laden dealt him an awful hand.
I think history will treat him well (if we have a history, that is!) I do not think it is fair to blame Bush for not being able to undo the turn towards socialism that started way back with FDR.
I could run on, but don’t want to get into an argument with fellow conservatives. Welfare entitlements instituted under LBJ made the “Ship of State” impossible to turn around.
No “true conservative” can do much about these, and we are going to suffer the fate of other “democracies” that have discovered how to elect people who will promise “a chicken in every pot”, even if one is too lazy to grow out the peeps.
I stand with President George W. Bush, still. He did better than both his father and his brother. I almost wish he had run for re-election instead of graciously holding to tradition.
It’s so easy for a crowd to ridicule someone from the sidelines; so easy to splinter and lay fractious blame when the GOP has lost the recent election.
I say that President Bush has served well; his good stewardship is likely to contrast starkly with the incoming administration.