As a public figure, George W. Bush appeared as a dry, boring, well-spoken man with little personality. Most people believed that was his true appearance, but those closest to him knew that was an image that he worked hard to project as his public image, but his private image was quite different. He was president of his fraternity at Yale, and fit into the fraternity lifestyle well, including drinking and parties. Yes, the same Bush! He no longer drinks, having stopped in 1988, but he did at that time. His most common greeting to his friends is “Hey, Buddy.” Carried over from a messy frat room in his college days is his continued inability to keep his office clean. In his office there are baseball books and papers scattered everywhere. Remember, Bush used to own a share of the Texas Rangers. Popcorn kernels, his snack of choice, are to be found everywhere. Piles of framed photos are in stacks throughout the room. He has no patience to hang them on the walls. Bush would throw his jacket on the floor. He never bought a coat rack. His secretary refused to hang it up. He said that he liked to work that way.
Bush does not like inactivity and strives on being punctual. He does not like to wait on anyone. He marries Laura after only dating her for three months. He says he knows when something is right. He is the father of twin girls Jenna and Barbara. Even as a politician, he was a very hands-on and involved father and they also had a stay-at-home mother (Hollandsworth).
In 1989, after his father was elected president of the United States, Bush returned to Texas. He was approached by a group of business leaders and asked to organize a group to buy the Texas Rangers. The baseball team was a second-tier team in the major league that was for sale. During his father’s campaign he had proven that he had excellent fund-raising skills. For publicity reasons, it also did not hurt that his father was the president. He was the managing general partner of a group of partners that purchased the team. With the new financial resources and capital, the team hired star players and improved its rating. The publicity that Bush received as the team became successful also helped bush become a state celebrity and gave him financial independence.
Bush ran and won the Texas governor races in 1994 and 1998. He had a strong career in politics as governor. The national Republican Party looked to Bush as it had been defeated in the White House by Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996 and needed a strong candidate. Bush had both a strong record as governor and the name recognition of his father. He was also able to raise $90 million in campaign funds. Surprised in New Hampshire to lose to John McCain, he then won the nominations in New York, California, and seven more states. He knew that week he’d be battling Vice President Al Gore.
Proposals to reduce taxes were called for in the Bush campaign as were plans to modernize the military, reform health care and social security. He also wanted to help disadvantaged groups’ quality of life and implement programs to help students that were not learning basic skills. Initially, it seemed that Bush would lose to Gore, but when the economy began to slow down, Bush demonstrated his debating skills, and Gore’s campaign was weak, the candidates entered Election Day in a tie. Gore won the popular vote, but Bush won the Electoral Vote.
During the early Bush term there was little public communication. Until the attacks of 9/11/2011, Bush never addressed the nation from the Oval Office. There was not a primetime news conference until October 2001. On the other hand, his White House staff and Cabinet were strong and experienced.
Declaring war was not a hastily made decision. It was not until over a year later, in the fall of 2002, when the United Nations Security Council voted that Iraq needed to destroy its weapons of mass destruction and then admit United Nations inspectors to prove that it was done. When this was not done by early 2003, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of ground force. It was the Bush administration, with the primary support of Great Britain, with the beginning of the invasion of Iraq. The battle began on March 20, 2003 with Baghdad being occupied on April 6, 2003. Bush declared the end of major combat on May 1, 2003, not knowing that they would drag on for years, with the insurgents refusing to give up, well into his election. The death toll kept climbing, and American support for the operation dropped. By 2004, is support dropped from 90% to 50%, not a good situation for a candidate.
His opponent was John Kerry in 2004, the Massachusetts Senator who was known to take on important problems. Kerry was also a decorated Vietnam Veteran, which was important during a time of war. Another close vote, Bush won the popular vote at 51$ to Kerry’s 48%. The Republican party also help slight majority in Congress, which helped Bush as well during his second term.
In the final week of August, 2004, hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast and devastated many communities in Mississippi. 80% of New Orleans was flooded since it is below sea level and the levees did not hold (Greenstein). The category 3 storm packed winds in excess of 125 mph. There were over 60,000 stranded by the storm, as many people did not follow evacuation orders or did not have the means to evacuate, yet another reason Bush was criticized. For those without transportation, there was no way for them to evacuate. Thousands were rescued by helicopter from rooftops, which took about a week in some cases. About six months after the storm, a total of 1,300 bodies had been found. Officials believe that the death toll was probably higher, with many being crushed beneath houses or washed out to sea. Before landing on shore, Katrina destroyed 46 oil-drilling platforms and four drilling rigs.
Bush was criticized in particular for not activating emergency measures after the levee system failed. New Orleans sits six feet below sea level. The levees were built and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Pilings that were 25 feet held. It was where the pilings were only 10-11 feet that they gave away. It was the faulty design, it was later established, and that caused the levees to fail. The engineers argued that the levees were not designed to withstand a storm of Katrina’s strength and that if a storm of that size was to hit the city; the city was to be evacuated. In 2000, a study designed to evaluate the strength of the levees was begun, and it was estimated that upgrades would take 20-25 years.
Criticisms of Bush were harsh. He was on vacation at his ranch in Texas when the storm hit. He remained there for several days after the storm while the country watched hundreds of people being evacuated from their rooftops to safety, thousands housed in the arena, or many being rescued by boats. Evacuees were being stuffed into shelters. Bush was being criticized for his lack of concern. His political opponents began to say it was because many of those who were victims were black. The president praised the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael Brown even though there were tremendous delays in providing emergency shelter for victims. Two weeks after the storm hit, Brown’s boss, Director of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, relieved Brown of his position (Hurricane Katrina).
Bush was criticized for being too slow to send relief to the area by both Republicans and Democrats. The public criticized Bush’s response to engaging the federal government’s relief efforts. Thousands of people were housed in the stadium in less than sanitary conditions. Eventually, after weeks of waiting, the first mobile homes were sent in to house people. Some people waited months to get into these temporary trailers while waiting for their homes to be rebuilt. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was heavily criticized for its incredibly slow response to the disaster. It never sent enough of these trailers to handle the amount of families needing shelter. Many families took it upon themselves to relocate all over the country in order to find themselves housing when unable to do so locally.
Another area where Bush was heavily criticized during his second term as president was his lack of speed in filling the vacancies that occurred on the Supreme Court. With several justices over the age of 70, many critics held the belief that openings should have been anticipated. On July 1, 2005, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor did announce her retirement. When the court had been closely divided, it was frequently her vote that was the decisive one. She alternated between liberal and conservative points of view. Bush nominated John Roberts, a conservative, who had been on the bench for only four years. He had argued a remarkable 39 cases in front of the Supreme Court. Bush had a positive reflection in this nomination in Robert’s confirmation hearings. When Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died in September 2005, Bush moved to have Roberts fill this position and it was confirmed within a month. Therefore another Justice was needed. Bush nominated Harriet Miers, White House counsel, but Republican conservatives did not agree with the choice. Republican conservatives did agree with Bush’s next choice, Samuel Alito Jr., a Federal Appeals Judge. He was confirmed on January 31, 2006, hours before Bush delivered his State of the Union Message. Bush’s approval rating had fallen below 40%, so he needed everything that could be done to increase it at this time.
Bush’s State of the Union Message included items such as the forbidding of interrogation procedures that were too harsh on detainees as had been the case on prisoners at the camps in Cuba. He wanted the Patriot Act powers extended to protect domestic terrorism from occurring in the United States. He wanted the civil liberties of United States citizens to be protected. There were many non-military focused initiatives as well. Education was addressed as he focused on high school math and science teachers and a program to increase the competitiveness of the nation’s students in a global economy. Bush also discussed a national focus on alternative energy sources. He also wanted to continue a study on ways to ensure that Social Security would remain solvent for future generations.
During 2006 he also had to face a country that was concerned with a debate over immigration. As a Republican, he saw the benefits of the commercial interests of the commercial interests of immigrant labor. He also understood the illegality of immigration. As a Texan, with so many illegal immigrants crossing the border from Mexico every day, he was especially aware of how many people from his home state were upset with the situation.
Democrats won control of both houses in the mid-term elections for the first time since 1992. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld resigned. It was thought to be that Iran and North Korea were developing nuclear weapons (Greenstein). Bush became a lame-duck president, but refused to allow the Iraq situation out of his control. He kept American forces in Iraq, kept training the soldiers there so they could eventually care for themselves, and the goal was for the Americans to pull out as soon as possible, but not prematurely (Hoff).
When Bush left Washington, he had a disapproval rating of 73%. As most presidents do, he lived inside a bubble in Washington, protected by secret service agents, had every hour of his day scheduled for him, and had little if any time for impromptu meetings with the public. There is almost nothing for a president as an unscheduled meeting with the public. So, when Bush returned to his home state of Texas, to have the opportunity to speak by phone or in person to whomever he wished, it was kind of a novel experience. Although he will have secret service protection with him for the rest of his life, it is a bit more lax than when he was president. He does get to live in a bit more lax neighborhood, and he has chosen a residential one in the Dallas suburbs.
Since moving back to Texas, Bush had to slowly adjust to the non-political lifestyle. Slowly he had to adjust to life as a citizen. He had to reconnect with former friends. He got back in touch with his political supporters. He also became affiliated with local Republican organizations. Initially upon returning home, Bush was on the phone, calling people who were his supporters, thanking them. Some of them were not even old enough to vote. He was building the next generation of Republican voters. Bush returned home to friendly territory. He never liked opposition, reported Bruce Buchanan, a University of Texas at Austin presidential scholar. He continued to report that Bush was reestablishing the next generation of Republicans because the party had been hurt with the Democratic takeover of Congress and needed a rebuilding phase.
He continued, Bush wants to participate in the creation of his legacy, which is not finished. He may want to write some of his story, or he might want to go out and lecture, which is where there is money to be made.
Bush has begun to pursue that lecture market. In Calgary, speaking to some oilmen at $400 a ticket, he gave a humorous speech. He has a speech with former president Bill Clinton scheduled as well. He is also writing a book. He is planning a $300 million library, policy institute, and museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University.
In one of his very few public appearances, Nolan Ryan, former pro baseball star and now president of the Texas Rangers, had Bush throw out the first pitch of the season. Bush was well-received and it was a positive day which Bush needed after leaving Washington with such a low approval rating.
The wife of a former elementary school librarian, school children have always been important to Bush. About a month after leaving the White House, Bush stopped in a suburban Dallas elementary school. When he asked the students who he was, there was a student who shouted: “George Washington!”
Bush quickly answered: “George Washington Bush.”
Texas remains a Republican state. But the Democrats gained a 6% increase in the vote in 2008 with 44% for Obama over the 38% for Kerry in 2004. As with other areas of the country, there is higher unemployment, deepening recession, but the housing crises is not as bad here as in many other places in the country. Part of the reason is that the housing market never had the surge in prices and inflation; therefore, there was no big burst in the bubble either.
The policy institute that Bush has been raising money to build at Southern Methodist University has been receiving some resistance by some. Critics say it is Bush’s way to cast his legacy. The institute is a way in which he can hide or diminish his problems. The critics say it will hurt the independence that the school currently maintains. Defenders of the policy institute say it is a way in which the school can investigate and examine global concerns of the 21st century.
A Texas district judge ordered Bush to deposition that could last up to six-hours in a civil lawsuit that claims that Southern Methodist University officials demolished a condominium complex in order to provide space for the policy institute and that this was in violation of the law. An appeal is in place since former or sitting presidents are not usually compelled to testify.
Bush is often on the campus of Southern Methodist University since leaving Washington. He has talked to a political science class, works out in the training facilities at the school, and meets with representatives to plan for his presidential center. The student body president Patrick Kobler has stated that it seems that Bush is always on campus. He also has stated that Bush did what he thought was right, even if it was not what was popular.
Bush also has set up his office in North Dallas. He is actively writing his memoirs. There are two main aspects of his writings. The first part of which is his life before Washington. One area of focus will be his life before the age of 40. Is life when he was drinking heavily, perhaps alcoholic, and how, on his 40th birthday, awaking with a hangover, he decided to never drink again. He has not had a drink since the day he turned 40. Bush has that kind of resolve and willpower. When he decides that he is going to accomplish something, he follows through and does so. Bush’s longtime friend, billionaire Tom Hicks, states: “I know he is working on his book. I get the sense that he has the confidence that history will judge him a lot better than The New York Times or the current media does.”
Hicks made Bush wealthy by buying the Rangers had also helped the Bushes by helping them get settled next door to him in the Dallas suburbs. Nearby as well is Texas billionaire Harold Simmons, who is a leader in the world’s titanium supply. Simmons helped Bush bankroll his campaign against Kerry and other campaigns (Minutaglio, Bill and Perez, Anne Belli).
Slowly, Bush did make public speaking appearances, including a television appearance and interview with Bill O’Reilly. One of the questions that were asked of Bush included a retrospect look at the meltdown of the housing market, to which Bush said he had tried unsuccessfully to get Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac regulated. It was just a matter of time until the bottom fell out of the market with the way the prices were sky-rocketing in the mid 2000’s. Barney Frank had direct oversight of the agencies at that time, but he claims that he did not know that the double digit annual increases were going to end.
In general, when O’Reilly asked Bush about his job as president, Bush answered:
“That's right, we did. And, I didn't respond because I don't think it's good for the presidency to respond. And, you know, I know it's hard for you to believe that I basically ignore the rhetoric, but I do. And, I'm comfortable with myself I know I gave it my all for the country. I did the very best I could do as president and I'm comfortable with that.”
O'Reilly: “You watch. Are you optimistic about America right now?”
Bush: “Yes. I'm always optimistic about America. I have studied a lot of history. We went through difficult periods in the past, and we'll come through this difficult period.”
Another area of interest is, of course, the economy. People want to know when it is going
Bush: “I'll tell you tell this -- let me -- OK, I will give you this. I think it's important for policy makers to understand most new jobs are created by small businesses, 70 percent of new jobs in America are created by small businesses. Many small businesses pay income tax at the individual rate. And, therefore, raising any income taxes will cause there to be less capital/available for small businesses, which will make it harder to create jobs.” (O’Reilly).
How George W. Bush will be remembered has yet to be seen. He is pleased with the job that he did. In the end, that is what matters to him. His legacy has yet to be completed.
Works Cited
Bill, O'Reilly. "George W. Bush Reflects On Presidency." O'Reilly Factor (FOX News) (n.d.):
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Applied Psychoanalytic Studies 5.3 (2008): 171-190. Academic Search Complete. Web.
5 Nov. 2012.
Hoff, Joan. "The Presidency Of George W. Bush: A First Historical Assessment." Journal Of
American History 98.4 (2012): 1217-1219. Professional Development Collection. Web. 5
Nov. 2012.
Hollandsworth, Skip. “The Many Faces of George W. Bush.” Texas Monthly 23.2 (1995).
MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 Nov 2012.
"Hurricane Katrina." Background Information Summaries (2008): 4. International Security &
Counter Terrorism Reference Center. Web. 6 Nov. 2012.
Minutaglio, Bill and Perez, Anne Belli. “The Afterlife of George W. Bush.” Newsweek 153.21
(2009): 34-37. Web. 5 Nov 2012.
