Is there anyone left who still supports Bush?

Ok, here's the question: take out any consideration of the War in Iraq. That debate has been beaten into the ground, and many people are uncomfortable slamming the pres during a time of war. So the hypothetical here is that there is no war going on in Iraq.

Looking at everything else Bush has done in his two terms, is there anyone left on this message board that still likes and supports the Bush Administration? Does anyone feel like he is just being portrayed unfairly in the media? Has anyone changed their mind about him? Did you think he was an idiot from day 1?

How is history going to remember Bush, Iraq war aside?

 

I never liked him. Watching him as gov. of Texas, I thought he was a disingenuous person. He has done nothing to change my mind in the years since.

 

i still support him.

 

Why? You're always railing against big government and I think it's grown to unprecedented proportions under his administration.

 

My biggest issues with Bush are his Medicare prescription benefit, his backing-down on SS reform, his "screw-you" attitude on immigration reform, and his refusal to veto pork laden bills. I think the war was a bad idea now, but with the benefit of hindsight so I don't really hold it against him.

If this immigration reform bill passes, it will be the end of the GOP and it will be Bush's fault. I don't know of many other Presidents who have almost completely destroyed their own party.

I supported Bush for most of his two terms, but now I feel that he is shirking his constitutional responsibilities by not making sure our borders are secure. I'd be glad to get the next guy in if I wasn't terrified of pretty much every choice being presented so far from both sides.

 

i agree with almost all of that. i dunno how much harder he could have fought for his SS reform. he was certainly going in the right direction.

he has lowered taxes (virtually the best possible thing a president can do) and the stock market is rolling at a record pace. he definitely spends too much, although i dont think that is as bad as everyone thinks it is. i dont think debt is inherently bad for the government to have.

i am relatively happy with his foreign policy and also think he is shockingly honest for a politician.

 

I just don't see how anyone can be happy with his foreign policy. You're definately a different cat Martin.

 

Sorry Red, I don't agree with everything here:

Wow, Clinton sure gave us a break from that, huh?. Different kind of scandals, but scandals nonetheless. How about going back to Ike for no scandals.

What international prestige? Oh you mean we were popular at cocktail partys under Clinton.

Certainly can be shown that he has, but the world has grown more accustomed to buckling to terrorism. This wasn't always the case, and isn't Bush's fault. The world has a short memory as to the success of appeasement - see WW2.

I am comfortable with all of our enemies....staying our enemies. When you say no to someone, you will make an enemy.

Russia is floundering with the concept of democracy and free markets. And while relations are not what we might like, being back in the cold war with them may be a bit of a stretch.

Neither has anyone else, and you can keep holding your breath. This will be resolved when Israel is gone or we take the shackles off them and let them detroy their neighbors. The Middle East will not accept Israel at any time, much less this age of appeasement.

I think the last two elections show an idealogical divide that existed before Bush. Bush has lost popularity with the Right and the Middle, but I attribute the majority of this to the Iraq War. People are not bitching about the turn around the economy took under Bush.

How successful were previous presidents? They didn't start, develop, and finish nuclear weapons only under Bush. Korea wants these weapons, they will get them. The world at large is too weak to either stop them, or let us stop them.

Mexico has been invading us for several generations and it has not been quiet. Only now has it become a national issue instead of a regional one. No recent president has a enviable track record with illegal aliens.

At least he tried when former presidents failed to even recognise a problem. Congress stopped this reform, not the president.

I agree - not the best choice.

I think he has overall made excellent choices with some mistakes. You regard Clinton's choices of Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, and Janet Reno as good choices?

He started his administration in recession that Clinton policies caused and then faced the economic shock of 9-11. I think he spends a bit more than I am comfortable with but much happier than I was under the last two presidents.

Also has the highest GNP at 12+ trillion. Americans continue to spend record $ on foreign goods and our economy has surged while Europe has been sluggish in comparison. China's monetary policy has insured an unfair advantage for their manufacturers and that has also hurt us.

This doesn't bother me. The $ amount may be unprecedented, but not the %. It is high but it's unlikely we are going broke anytime soon. This should be better and will be with the next president, but it's not disastrous.

I agree that most non-American citizens believe this, but it is added to a general dislike of Americans that has existed for years. There will always be a difference between the haves and have nots. Most people regard Americans as fat with greed and consumerism. While this may be true, they all want it for themselves and resent those that have it. Bush's current "war-mongering" has given foreign nationals something concrete to point to besides, " I wish I lived like that."

I think you are right here. However, 30+ years from now, history may reflect a bit kinder on his record. Depends on how badly we do over the next twenty years. The world is at a crossroads and the lines are quite clear. I feel like Bush has made some big mistakes in foreign policy but the overall intent, which is a preservation of our freedoms as Americans, is sound and history will show this eventually, IMO. I guess you can say that I support him but I am ready for a more moderate president that bring our two sides closer together.

 

Really sorry for the length of that last post.