George Walker Bush
Bush's two-term presidency (2001-2009) is the immediate predecessor pair to Obama. This profile grades his 2000 campaign promises against eight years in office that spanned 9/11, two wars, the 2003 Medicare expansion, and the 2008 financial crisis.
George Walker Bush
- among Republican presidents2nd of 5
- among all presidents2nd of 10
All tracked promises
Cut income taxes.
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (Pub.L. 107-16) signed June 7, 2001; Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (Pub.L. 108-27) signed May 28, 2003. Cut top rate 39.6% → 35%.
Pass education reform with accountability standards.
No Child Left Behind Act (Pub.L. 107-110) signed Jan 8, 2002. Required annual standardized testing in grades 3-8 with consequences for underperforming schools.
Add prescription drug coverage to Medicare.
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Pub.L. 108-173) signed Dec 8, 2003. Created Medicare Part D.
Reform Social Security with private accounts.
Social Security reform was the centerpiece of Bush's 2005 agenda. No legislation reached the floor. Bush conceded defeat by year-end 2005.
Win the war in Iraq.
Iraq invaded March 2003; Saddam Hussein deposed. Insurgency through 2007; 2007 surge stabilized but did not end conflict. U.S. troops still in Iraq at term-end.
Capture or kill Osama bin Laden.
Bin Laden remained at large at the end of Bush's term. Killed under Obama, May 2, 2011.
Pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (S.1639) failed cloture June 28, 2007 (46-53). Bush's signature second-term domestic priority died.
Authorize PEPFAR for global HIV/AIDS treatment.
United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Pub.L. 108-25) signed May 27, 2003. Reauthorized 2008 with $48B over five years. Credited with saving over 25 million lives.
Confirm conservative Supreme Court justices.
Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed Sep 29, 2005 (78-22). Justice Samuel Alito confirmed Jan 31, 2006 (58-42). Both shifted SCOTUS rightward.
Stabilize the financial system after the 2008 crisis.
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (TARP, Pub.L. 110-343) signed Oct 3, 2008. $700B authorized; ultimately ~$440B disbursed; final cost to taxpayers approximately net positive.
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