In the last 14 years the offer has been reinterpreted into an excuse for doing nothing. Even that now is wearing thin. Nobody should be mimicking Bush today.
Thomas Jefferson instructed his nephew in a letter to study ancient & modern history, poetry & philosophy (and hopefully learn from those) — http://bigpicturehistory.com/thomas-jefferson-his-classical-education/ — that was in 1785.
Since then, the history part at least should be an essential subject for US Presidents (and their advisors), in which to be very well versed, keeping up with modern times & how matters have evolved; especially for foreign policy.