Nick Habrle

Mrs. Yanelli

US History

5/4/17

George W Bush

George Walker Bus was born on July 6, 1946 in New Haven Connecticut. He was the olds

of six children born to George HW Bush. After attending grade schools in Texas he went to

Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, from 1961 to 1964. After graduation he went to

Yale University completing his Bachelor’s degree in history in 1968. After college Bush enlisted

in the Air National Guard serving in Texas and Alabama until his discharge in 1974. He

completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1975. While

in grade school he was a multi-sport athlete playing baseball and basketball. He made his own

oil company before he got into politics. He got his start in his political career through his father

as he was his father’s campaign advisor. George W. Bush made his first real attempt for political

office to be U.S. Representative of the 19th District in Texas. He lost to Kent Hance. Bush once

again ran for public office and was elected the 46th Governor of Texas. Governor Bush won re-

election in 1998 becoming the first Governor in Texas to serve two consecutive four year terms.

For his political views he looked up to his father and also his new found Christian faith. Bush

was a proud conservative and took stances on key issues in that manner. He was against

abortion and wanted to make sure kids received proper education. Bush used his slogan of

compassionate conservatism to win over the hearts of republicans in his first presidential race.
On his campaign trail he talked to the press and now even calls them indispensable to

democracy. In his 2000’s it was very close with most polls saying that he would lose. He lost the

popular vote but ended up winning the electoral vote. This was all because of the state of

Florida. The style of his was focused on domestic affairs. He focused mainly on public

education. His first major initiative the No Child Left Behind Act created reforms that raised

standards and improved test scores in the public education system. Economically he created a

tax relief package, which reduced individual income tax rates and doubled the child tax credit,

in addition to other reforms. In addition to his new policies he filled his cabinet up with a lot of

diverse people which was tied with Bill Clinton for the most diverse cabinet. George had a

mostly republican congress so they passed many things together some of which include

increasing the federal budget and the Patriot Act but he and congress didn’t agree on

everything. Some laws congress wouldn’t let pass were mostly on gun control issues. The

presidency sees many new issues that have to be dealt with foreign and domestic that George

didn’t have to deal with as just a senator. His foreign policy was just to react to everything going

on around the world after the cold war. This included things like the collapse of Soviet Russia.

For the domestic part of this new responsibility his policy consisted with the war on terror after

the 9/11 also he wanted to promote diversity and improve globe warming. The last policy he

had to confront was his economic policy. He was president through two of the worst

recessions. Also he had to fund two wars. One bill he passed was the 2005 bankruptcy

prevention act. Even with things in place to try and help the economy he still ended up racking

up more the 6 billion dollars in debt for the United States. All this pressure and power makes

everyone turn their attention to you. This caused most people to see the email scandal that
happened to the Bush administration. Like Hillary Clinton, Bush was under fire for firing 8 U.S.

attorneys. At this time people wanted to look at his emails but over 5 million were lost. This

was one of a couple of scandals. Scandals aside Bush had policies in place that brought down

his public image and his liking by the people. When he started he had a 50 percent approval

rating then that grow with the nation coming together after the 9/11 attacks but that slowly fell

over the years and at the end of his term he was under a 25 percent approval rate. For George

W Bush most of his policies are gone today with ones remaining like the no child left behind act.

The only real effects his policies still have today is the economic downturn of the U.S. economy.

Lucky for Bush most people will only remember Bush for the war on terror and not much more

to future generations. His presidency had an impact on his character and made him into the

man he is today. Ultimately he will be remembered for war on terror and that is it which is good

for him because at the end of his presidency he was not well liked and could be remembered

for much worse.

 Work Cited

"The President & Family George W. Bush." George W Bush museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May

2017. <https://www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/The-President-and-Family/George-W-

Bush.aspx>.

"Summary of the 2000 Presidential Election." 2000 Presidential Election. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May

2017. <http://www.2000presidentialelection.com/tag/george-bush/>.

"Bush's Campaign Strategy Sets the Pace for 2000 ." Home Index Search Archives. N.p., n.d.

Web. 5 May 2017. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-

srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/bush070499.htm>.

"Bush is opening doors with Diverse cabinet." USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information

Network, n.d. Web. 05 May 2017. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-

12-09-diverse-usat_x.htm>.

"George W. Bush signs the Patriot Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05

May 2017. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-w-bush-signs-the-patriot-act>.

"Bush's Foreign policy." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 05 May

2017. <https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/short-history/bushi>.

Heimlich, Russell. "Bush and Public Opinion." Pew Research Center for the People and the

Press. N.p., 18 Dec. 2008. Web. 05 May 2017. <http://www.people-

press.org/2008/12/18/bush-and-public-opinion/>.
"Economic Downturn and Bush Policies Continue to Drive Large Projected Deficits." Center on

Budget and Policy Priorities. N.p., 10 June 2015. Web. 05 May 2017.

<http://www.cbpp.org/research/economic-downturn-and-bush-policies-continue-to-drive-

large-projected-deficits>.