Since his administration is coming to an end, it is a good time to review the last eight years. Instead of doing everything at once, it might be more interesting to review it year by year. His early years were very successful while the second term has had issues. Also, it is sometimes hard to gauge the full impact of a presidency until they have left the scene and been gone awhile. Reagan is now considered great. Nixon is much more sympathetic. Clinton's reputation has gone down the toilet as a result of taking on Obama. Bush's reputation may depend greatly on Obama. If Obama comes off incompetently, then Bush is probably elevated. If Obama comes off as the next FDR, then Bush suffers. Either way, it will probably take a generation (and a lot of declassification) to get a full picture.
2001:
Bush began his term with a nice
inaugural address. Most inaugural addresses are forgettable. W's first (and second) were better than most. However, no one outside of historians will remember either of them. Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency, Bush decided to act as though he won in a landslide and his address reflected both that confidence as well as the nature of his election.
Bush had two major issues to deal with right away. First, the economy was in recession. As a result, he pushed for and got his
tax cut package. It really can not be underscored how this has helped. 911 really hurt the economy. The tax cuts saved a major economic downturn. It was not until the credit markets collapsed that the economy truly soured. Even then, the tax cuts were seen as positives. Obama has refused to repeal them.
The second issue was the
Chinese. They decided to test Bush right away. They captured a spy plane and refused to let the crew go. Eventually, they were released.
Domestically, the first year of the W. Administration witnessed the collapse of
Enron. Many blamed this on Bush, but this was something festering for awhile under the previous administration. That administration looked the other way as they received campaign donations and other Enron favors.
The administration also passed
No Child Left Behind. For some reason, Bush felt it necessary to push for and support a Ted Kennedy creation. Ironically, teachers blame Republicans for this. Although many thumbed their noses and voted for it, No Child is hard left legislation. It involved federal involvement in local schools. Nothing is more antithetical to conservatives. Preliminary evidence shows No Child might actually be working. However, it is one of those things we will have to wait and see on.
Bush attempted to reach out to
African Americans. He placed more people of African descent into positions of power than any administration in history. Powell, Rice, Paige and others filled out the President's brain trust.
Then came 911. Bush's response to
911 was as well as could be expected. He rallied the nation and gave a powerful speech at the site. Afterwards, the administration passed the
Patriot Act. It was controversial, but has apparently worked. Despite some complaints, it did not crack down on civil liberties.
911 also brought on the
Bush Doctrine. There have been several Bush Doctrines, but this one states the US has the right of Preemption. If there is a threat, the US can take it out. Bush was simply codifying something presidents had used for years. It helped lead to the Iraq Invasion.
Overall, Bush's first year was successful in terms of getting things done. The ultimate result of Bush policies such as Preemption and No Child Left Behind, have yet to be realized.
