Bush Deserves Our Thanks

I have hardly been the biggest Bush booster, but I do give him some credit. While I was upset back in 2000 that we were stuck with someone promoting "compassionate conservatism", I was happy with his first moves, it was alter that he lost his way.

He started well, pushing tax cuts. It was bad that they were saddled with a sunset clause, but that was probably unavoidable. And he was set to push SS reform until 9/11.

And after 9/11 I think his focus was on international affairs, and just trying to keep the Dems from ruining everything he accomplished overseas. It kept him form spending political capital on things such as SS reform.

Of course, he made some big goofs. No Child Left Behind was a bad deal for everyone concerned except Teddy. And prescription reform was an effort to cut the legs out from under the Dems, but saddled us with far too much of a burden.

He did get two good SC justices through, but he was undercut by McCain on the lower court appointments, so he made little headway there.

But, overall, not a bad president, just not a great one. However, on his handling of foreign affairs, in the face of an openly hostile and sometimes almost treasonous opposition party, with unreliable support from his own party, he did very well.

You know, you inspired me here. I may post something about this on my blog as well. GWB really deserves a bit better reputation than he currently has, even on the right.

I agree with every point you have made. It will be some time before he is appreciated. I know it is too soon to push it but I have been so tired of hearing the constant dissing.
I was disappointed in a lot of things but very few deserve the lack of respect he has received.
Meanwhile , go for it!! ;-))

i forgot the s. andrews, thank you for coming by. i haven't been doing much with this blog for a while as you can see.

Hear, hear, emjayne! W does deserve a lot of credit. Had algore done a Nixon and conceded the election instead of having a hissy fit and suing and draggggggging it on and on, maybe W would have had a fighting chance. He did acquit himself after 9/11. And the world and the people of Iraq are better off without Sodamn Insane! I like George Bush. I read that Tony Blair had said when he spoke with Billy Jeff, he was unsure if Clinton even heard him. But when he spoke with Bush, GWB was always as good as his word. Stubborn and loyal to a fault, there is nothing phony about him. And Laura! Drop dead gorgeous and gracious, too! Thanks for posting this, emjayne!

My pleasure, dawn. Thanks for dropping by.

A Commander in Chief that respects his troops.

I wish more people felt that way!