I strongly supported Bush in his first term, and feel justified.
I agree with Pabst that most of us have no idea how close we came to a global meltdown and depression ][. Tax cuts, interest rates down to zero, massive government spending, and perhaps even the iraq war were measures to counter that. While, if true, I'm not wild about the last, I'm firmly in agreement with the first 3.
I think the neocons got ahead of themselves and believed they would make the world safe for american style democracy and chose iraq to prove their point. Too bad it didn't work out like we planned - the war was well done, but americans are always bad at occupation. We messed that up, and now Iraq will be a quamire for quite some time. Hopefully, we learn from that mistake.
IMHO, other countries have WOEFULLY underestimated our military capabilities. This could be their downfall (e.g. Iran) if they choose to exercise their options foolishly. A major strike on US homeland with significant casualties (CBNW) would solve enlistment problems in the army and ensure that most of the mideast remains occupied as colonies for the next 50 years.
But this second term has been a mess of partisanism, cronyism, and outright law breaking. The payment party keeps on going, and its more obvious than ever that the government is for sale. Every major initiative Bush has introduced - social security reform, tort reform, any sort of cohesive energy policy,offshore drilling, etc... has died. He is so unpopular, republicans are distancing themselves from him in order to stay elected. There may be a BIG surprise in the upcoming midterm elections, particularly if the dems get a clue (which they don't seem to).
IMHO, LBJ was easily the worst president although JFK might have been dangerous if he had remained in office longer. His 'great society' and disastrous Vietnam policy seal his fate. At least he didn't get us into a nuke war with the USSR - that much you can say.
Say what you want about Nixon - he was a crook, but he has more to do with why you can buy cheap goods at wal mart than fighting the red chinese.
Bush 2 is more likely to be remembered as a Taft than as a Warren Harding, although with 3 more years, we might find ourselves on the other side of that equation.
