The 2012 elephant in the room: George W. Bush

Baltimore Sun ^ | Oct 29 2012 | Jules Witcover

[WilliamIII]

One of the most telling aspects of the 2012 presidential campaign now racing to its end is the matter of the vanishing former two-term Republican president. His name is so seldom mentioned by his party's nominee and other stalwarts as to take on the characteristic of a toxic distant uncle.

That other GOP two-termer, Ronald Reagan, continues posthumously to enjoy the stature of political sainthood among the faithful. But the 43rd president, who is the son and namesake of the 41st, has been neither seen nor heard from in the blizzard of speech-making and television advertising by and in behalf of party standard-bearer Mitt Romney.

Yes, the missing person in the picture would be George W. Bush, now seemingly under party house arrest back in Texas as Mr. Romney runs as far away as he can get from Mr. Bush and his White House tenure. Memories of the junior Bush economic hangover haunt not only President Barack Obama, still struggling to recover from it, but also the Republican who wants Mr. Bush's old job.

[lonestar67]

Even bush’s failures were conservative triumphs.

TARP. Required funds to be paid back with interest. They have been paid back unlike obamas bailouts.

Reagan did far worse anti conservative things such as amnesty and running from Lebanon after the murder of 200 marines yet we lionize him.

When conservatives stop being cowards to the liberal authors of history Until then they live in the shadows of politics.

[One Name]

True.

41 was old-school, Kennebunkport, Episcopal globalist.

43 had an actual Christian conversion. Could have been his own man..

[antceecee]

Best post on this thread so far... agree.

[Professional]

Sadly many republicans bought into the bush hate machine.

Bush finally addressed terrorism by declaring war. He increased the estate tax deduction from 600 k up to the many millions. He lowered taxes across the board, created lower investment taxes. He improved education via no child left behind. He put the USA on the map as the only super power and strengthened the military. He was not an embarassment morally like Clinton. He got the us out of the 2001/2002 recession. And that is what I can come up with on a moments notice....

Like you, I don’t like hearing conservatives utter disparaging comments about gw.

[scott7278]

His appointment of Harriet Miers, No Child Left Behind and the prescription drug plan didn’t help much.

[Seaplaner]

President Dubya is a sincere man, a great American, and a brave and Churchillian president.

The left did their Alinskyite lying to tarnish artificially President Dybya's abilities, inner-strength, and record; but these will not stand the test of time, and will eventually stain the deceitful creeps instead.

Mister Obama and Mister Clinton can never posess the bravery and sincere concern for Country that has Dubya, and they will never enjoy the inner peace that comes with doing the right and honest things.

.

[oldbrowser]

The Bush years were Tumultuous years much like we have had during the Obama years. Many people were frightened by the media.

Let me refresh your memory.
Bush inherited a Recession when he came into office.
How did Bush possibly create such a marvelous economy with a 4.2% unemployment rate going through 9/11, a recession, the economic fallout of the 9/11 attacks and such.

Then you had about 5 of the largest costing natural disasters in history happen under his presidency.

Then you had the Lebanon / Israel situation, the war in Iraq, etc. Despite all that, still a great economy under that republican.

The economic " meltdown " as democrats like to call it, was created BY democrats. Who was it that wanted anyone to have a home during the past few decades? Who was it that started manhandling banks and prodding them to allow sub-prime loans to become premium business practice? That's right, Democrats.

Bush did a good job given the hand that he was dealt. The Obama administration made a difficult situation much worse. They were trying to re-inflate a bubble while the economy was trying to self-correct.

[Fungi]

Absolutely. This is pure nonsense, unaldulterated nonsense. Another ploy to distract your attention. Vote tomorrow, tell everyone you know to vote and be not afraid. Oh yes—vote for Romney.

[Impy]

Landon also didn’t bother to campaign much. He was the last guy who pretty much STOOD for election.

Now this George W. Bush fellow this article is about, WHO is that? I don’t remember that guy.

[max americana]

“Sadly many republicans bought into the bush hate machine.”

Yup. Utter idiots. He was and is my hero. F*** those who say otherwise. Bush, Cheney. Rumsfeld are my idols and the entire right wing conspirators were and will always be my heroes. :)

[dragnet2]

Those capable of critical thought understand Bush was an utter disaster. So bad, a neighborhood block Communist out of Chicago replaced him. So bad, he nearly made American citizenship all but pointless.

[Gator113]

“....George Bush and his failed presidency.”

That BDS is tough on some. You must still have the stinky rash that goes with it.

I find it curious that at a critical time when it is paramount that we get that scum Obama out of our White House, you bring out the old Bush’s fault argument. I smell something here, maybe it’s your BDS, maybe it’s some other lib infection. You might want to see a doctor... I’ve heard some of that stuff can make you crazy and grow hair on the palms of your hands.

[hosepipe]

George Bush Jr. made Barak Obama POSSIBLE....
Brilliant gambit really...

Spend like a democrat and make your base DESPISE YOU....
Then do not defend yourself against charges of profligate spending.. which are TRUE...

Making it possible for democrats to spin the most outrageous yarn of HOPE AND CHANGE..
Brilliant and it worked...

[Mastador1]

Well I’m glad you have absolved the Republican party and Mclame for having any part in that disaster. I am once again amazed at George Bush’s unrivaled power and ability to cause a disaster all by himself. We must all be thankful that he restrained himself and allowed the world to survive. I guess you will want to join the Gore in blaming him for global warming and killing Polar bears!

[freekitty]

That is BS. They did the same thing to every Republican President, politician including Palin.

You may not like what I am going to say; but I am going to say it. Richard Nixon was a great statesman. He knew how to handle foreign policy. He did it by acting crazy, believe it or not. He may have been somewhat paranoid according to what they say and he did wrong in Watergate; but he was also setup.

[rottndog]

Bush was a great president and I despise how republicans do not defend him.

Bush refused to defend himself, and by extension he refused to defend conservatives and conservatism. He allowed himself to be defined by the left...his horrible reputation he earned by default.

I give him great credit for the WOT, but domestically he was in fact a disaster. He, Karl Rove, John McCain, and 'moderate' Repubs in congress brought us BHO, but Bush lead that ticket.

[upsdriver]

President Bush was one of the greatest presidents of my lifetime, second only to Reagan.His was NOT a failed presidency and history will record it as great once the morons of today have passed away.

[Mastador1]

Explain again to me the Presidents power to spend? Once again the supreme power of George Bush to bend to his will all of Congress. George Bush, such power to wield. I think you must be holding back on all of his other crimes out of a feeling of compassion.

[upsdriver]

I see you received flak for your comment. Not from me, I agree with you.

[freekitty]

The stock market crashed when Hoover became President. What happened was everyone was making money. It looked like a big cash cow so people dumped their money in it and when it crashed; Hoover got the blame.