How would you evaluate George W Bush's presidency?

Sunday 11th January, 01:45 PM JST

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SezWho2 at 09:48 AM JST - 17th January

onedragon,

I think that depends on what you mean by "safe".

If you mean that there were no more (known) terrorist attacks (outside of the anthrax thing, whatever that was about) on American soil (exclusive of embassies, consulates and ships at sea), then, yes, America was kept safe.

If you mean that America was in imminent danger and that Bush prevented those dangers from materializing, his record is no better than Clinton's and in some respects it is worse. Clinton at least caught the foreign terrorists responsible for the attack on the Twin Towers and he did so without yielding 3,000 dead, sending 4,000 more to die and tens of thousands to be maimed without reducing the threat.

If you mean that Bush protected the America that he started with and will deliver to the next President that same America, safe and secure, I don't think there is any way that is true. If I read these results correctly 1261 people don't get that America was protected by Bush. Of course, they're probably either all French or multiple voters like myself, eh? (By the way, that was a non-Canadian "eh".)
mindovermatter at 11:16 AM JST - 17th January

¨Americans had it coming¨.

The second time he was elected, there were some serious "shenanigans" going in Ohio, where sadly enough it came down to one state, where Bush's buddy's company made the Electronic voting machines.... Coincidence....?

They are still investigating, and some people have been sent to jail over elections fraud...

No, I'd say 30 - 40% of American's had it coming, I never voted for that idiot, and matter of fact more people voted against bush, the 2nd time, than in any presidential election in U.S. history....

U.S. elections have never been decided by a majority vote, there 50 individual, winner-take-all elections, and districts and electronic voting machines can easily be manipulated.... as we've seen in Ohio... God help us if we get another bush or cheney...
realist at 01:01 PM JST - 17th January

George Bush was a good president. Of course, he madew mistakes, like we all do. The amount of hatred and venom directed against him has been despicable. We will see what his successor does, and we will see how long it will be before hatred is directed against him.

Of course, Obama is going to save the world, isnt he? He is going to sort out the world`s troubles, save the earth from ecological disaster and raise a few dead people too, in the process.

George Bush was hated by the liberals from Day One. The media were biased against him, too. Really, he didnt stand a chance. I know he is not a good public speaker, or even all that bright, but he was a sincere man who stood up for America and also for his principles.
wuzzademcrat at 01:30 PM JST - 17th January

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/15/frist.bush/index.html

"Bush saved 10 million lives"

AIDS project for Africa, programs to wipe out malaria.
JoeBigs at 03:32 PM JST - 17th January

wuzzademcrat at 01:30 PM JST - 17th January http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/15/frist.bush/index.html

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says George Bush's AIDS policy has saved millions in Africa.

Ok that was a good one, I went to the link and lo and behold the story was by Bill Frist. You could not have found anyone more partisan than Mr Frist.

Mr Frist is trying to save his own political career. By trying to make Bush seem better than he was he in turn makes his time as a Senator better. Mr Frist is one of the main folks who is to blame for our woes.

When ya have meat try again.
wuzzademcrat at 06:25 PM JST - 17th January

"Ok that was a good one, I went to the link and lo and behold the story was by Bill Frist. You could not have found anyone more partisan than Mr Frist."

Yes, the article was by Bill Frist, physician and senator, and frequent visitor to Africa.

I remain open-minded though, and eagerly await the debunking, from Frist's equal among Democrat senators, that JoeBigs is in possession of.
LostinNagoya at 07:13 PM JST - 17th January

Tigermoth: LostinNagoya I take offense in your remark. What nation of geniuses do you hail from? Let's take a look at your leader's decisions. A sum of a nation is not always reflected in those who lead it - life isn't that simple.

@tigermoth: I am really sorry and I apologize. My idea of non-geniuses applies to all those who voted for GWB twice, or once - being sincere. And a lot of Americans voted against him. So, I correct myself again.
likeitis at 12:02 AM JST - 18th January

Wall Street bailout --700 billion

Iraq bailout -- $600 billion at least and counting. Projections of 2.4 trillion and more.

Auto industry bailout -- 25 billion

AIDS bailout -- 15 billion

Bush out of the White House -- Priceless!
smithinjapan at 02:34 AM JST - 18th January

sarge
As this is about your hero, bush, I need to remind you that even on this site you are amongst some 4 per cent who think bush was slightly better than average! haha! Meanwhile, those who think he was one of the worst presidents in the world number about... ummm... 6.69 billion, or on this thread about 70% (and another 10% for those who thought slightly better).
Sarge at 02:52 AM JST - 18th January

smithinjapan:

"even on this site you are amongst some 4 per cent who think bush was slightly better than average"

Heck, I woulda thought on this site I woulda been amongst the point 4 percent, ha ha ha!
smithinjapan at 03:23 AM JST - 18th January

sarge: "I'm not sad! Heck, I've got Obama to kick around for the next four years!"

For once, I give you my hats off. A nice comeback. You still didn't answer the questions I asked but one baby step at a time, eh. Good job, Sarge. You kind of lose it later in your latter comment, but that's something else altogether.
JoeBigs at 06:58 AM JST - 18th January
wuzzademcrat at 06:25 PM JST - 17th January

Ok let us try this again what good has "soon to be" Mr Bush done for our Nation? What has he done for us lately other than nearly bankrupt us?

With Mr Frist going any where and trying to paint a shinning light on what Bush did for Africa. That takes the light away from Mr Frist and his time as a Senator and how he had a hand in nearly bankrupting our nation.

Again I ask you what has Mr Bush done for our county? Please dont come with, "he kept us safe" line that has been used to death. Tell me how good of a job did he do before Sept 11th? Must not have been that good, we got hit.

Ok here are some more fine examples of his leadership skills and that of the Republicans who were in full power.
1. Katrina
2. Brownie
3. Mission accomplished
4. Bin Laden
5. Operation Iraqi Liberation
6. No Bid Contracts for Republican connected companies
7. Diplomacy?
8. Loss of South America t far left wing groups
9. Worst job creation of any President in the last 60 years
10. Since taking office unemployment his risen from 4.0% to 4.9% (just to inform Carter did better)
We could keep going and going and going but why waste time.
Disillusioned at 04:12 PM JST - 18th January

I don't think the question should be if he was one of the best or the worst. I think the question should be, was his term in office one of the most difficult? There will always be knockers and supporters of any president regardless. For me Carter was the worst ever.
nishikat at 04:25 PM JST - 18th January

McCain for '00!!!!! Sorry people picked a "wholesome" recovering alcoholic idiot (generally an idiot, I mean) rather than a great man as yourself.

I thought Clinton was all right. OK, a bit horny and talked too much but still OK. No super big disasters. I thought after 8 Clinton years a republican in the WH - Namely McCain - would have been a good change but not W. OH, my god! I mean if you are going to vote for someone please vote for someone who is at least better than you are. With GWB you might as well put a republican monkey in the WH.

Sorry John, '08 is too late and too old and your VP pick was well....

The point of true conservatism is about quiet grumpy old rich men who want to keep more of their money from taxes and who think that's good for everyone at all classes in society. And I'm cool with that fundamental debate. But what has this party changed into? Especially with GWB?

But I don't blame W. for the current economic crisis.
USARonin at 10:59 PM JST - 18th January

Anyone wantin' to express appreciation to President Bush before he leaves office can do so at whitehouse.gov

For anyone who wants to express somethin' else, have at it. There's no such thing as electronic traces on emails. That's a complete myth. -And the US doesn't exchange information with foreign governments.