Deseret News | Reader comments: Bush heatedly defends his presidency

Reader comments
Bush heatedly defends his presidency

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Craig | 8:54 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

There are a number of things associated with the Bush administration that have disappointed me:
1. Failure to control our border with Mexico
2. Skyrocketing federal deficits and a bloated national debt
3. An unprecedented expansion of the power of the presidency at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches
Of course, the Congress must take some of the blame as well. I do not think Obama will make any progress on items 1 and 2, but he has said he would like to scale back on item 3.

Why Oh Why? | 9:02 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Why not just keep quiet and slip on off to Crawford? After everything of the past 8 years I can only say three words--WHAT AN EMBARASSMENT!

James | 9:03 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Good job president B.

Comments continue below

xscribe | 9:02 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

His advice to Obama is the most intelligent thing he's said in 8 years. He should be arrested and locked away for life as soon as his presidency is over for what he has done to this country and the world.

RD | 9:09 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

All I want to say is that I'm grateful that President Bush has been with us as our leader the past eight years. I don't agree with all his stands, but on the whole I think he did a remarkable job with an insanely tough situation. Call me a staunch,ignorant, Utah Republican if you'd like, but I support President Bush and his actions whole heartedly.

Bush Legacy | 9:17 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

For me, the Legacy will be his response to 9/11. I remember being so impressed when he stood before the American people and said "We know Osama Bin Laden did it, and we're going to get him."

With unprecedented world support, we headed to Afghanistan. Then, to the disappointment of even our World War II allies, Bush took a hard right turn into Iraq, leaving Osama Bin Laden free.

He had a chance to deliver a significant blow to terrorism, but the arrogance of his neocon advisors led mission failure.

A few facts | 9:17 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Today, in another news article it was reported that the job losses in 2008 set a post war (WWII, since 1945) record--2.7 million. Incredible.

The US Census Bureau publishes a report every few years titled something like "Wealth and Income in America". The version I have looked at was a couple of years ago and, in a nutshell, it stated that despite the economic recovery underway at that time that household income had actually declined since 2001 and that this was the first time this had happened since such statistics were first gathered. Incredible.

But there's more: The GINI index from that report which is a measure of how stratified wealth is (ie, the richest 1% have 90% of the wealth, that's what this measures) was increasing. That means that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. In fact, the top 5% had over 95% of the wealth in this country. Welcome, third world.

I could add others, the fraction of the population without health insurance grew during Mr. Bush's tenure, many with health insurance still go broke with the massive co-pays and deductibles (under insured). And on and on. Why vote Republican--really?

Nellie | 9:19 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Time heals all wounds, and later with added perspective when the administration of George W. Bush is analyzed I believe he will still be considered the worst president ever.

Rose colored glasses | 9:24 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Saddam allowed UN weapons inspectors back into Iraq in Nov. 2002. The Weapons Inspectors reported to the UN/Bush they had inspected 100 sites, Saddam was co-operating with the inspections--allowing them to inspect, at a moment's notice, wherever they requested. Inspectors still had 500 more sites they wanted to inspect and requested more time. Request denied. Bush invaded. Bush lies: we don't torture, we don't eavesdrop on American citizens, we don't have secret prisons, nobody anticipated the breaching of the levees.
Good riddance!

Bunker mentality | 9:40 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I think the tragedy of the Bush administration is the inability of GWB to communicate directly to the American people, nothing more, nothing less. Leadership is such an intangible, almost mystic, ability. It isn't intelligence, it isn't charisma, it isn't phyically attractive features on TV, it's that innate ability to communicate. Reagan had it, and it appears Obama has it, but GWB lacked it. While he was always transparent and easy to read because he was so intense in his feelings, GWB never tapped in to the communication link that was so obvious with Reagan. Even when he took full responsibility for the Iran Contra mess, Reagan could look straight into the camera and make you feel empathy for his situation. GWB just made you loathe him for his ineptitude. He failed on immigration reform, which should have been so easy to package and sell if done the way Reagan did it (amnesty), but he could never overcome the seething anger of the American people on that issue. He did succeed in keeping us safe at an enormous cost, but he completely sold out to banking interests in the bailout and failed once again to communicate his aims. Oh well.

Rich Guy | 10:00 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I can't understand why Bush would be so defensive. He's been a great success! My taxes are way down. My Halliburton and Blackwater investments are way up. All my competitors in the Twin Towers are gone. I got an oil lease to drill on pristine land. My kids are doing just fine in their private school. Osama bin Laden is still at large, so the gov't is pouring $$$ into my defense contracts. Thanks for the Happy Days, George!

Tough Job | 10:03 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

President Bush was dealt some bad cards early in his presidency. He did what he thought was best. He was elected two terms! If he was so bad why was he voted in a second term? I think he did as well as anyone could have. Good job President Bush!

Mark B | 10:09 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I think the WMD lies were the worst. Not only did they lead us into a ridiculous and costly war trying to force democracy on a country that had never asked for it, it even showed Bush as willing to have his own Secretary of State, a man with considerable world respect, lie on his behalf to the entire world at the UN. Let's not have that kind of leader again.

Gig | 10:14 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

After 9/11 the scheme for Bin Laden was to get the US bogged down in Iraq, spend trillions of dollars on warfare thus diverting our treasury towards a never ending war and diverting our attention away from Afghanistan. The economy, Afghanistan, Katrina, all took backseats to the situation in Iraq. That will be Bush's legacy.

Scott | 10:51 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Ok, RD, if no one else is going to, I will call you a "staunch, ignorant, Utah Republican". No offense. I voted for Bush myself--twice! What a huge disappointment he has been. With a Republican majority in the congress for several years, Bush had such a great opportunity to move this country forward. Instead, as he leaves office, the country is faced with trillions of dollars of debt, a continuing war that has only served to galvanize much of the world against us, and a sullied image due to this inept administration's handling of so many vital issues. Who'd have ever thought the little fat Dixie Chick was right all along?! Good luck cutting brush in Crawford, W. There will be no aircraft carriers named after you.

Mike R. | 10:58 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

The mission was accomplished. Saddam was out of power. What Bush and Rummy did not count on was the insurgency. That has largely gone away since Saddam was captured. The war with Iraq was done after two months. The war for Iraq still goes on in some respects.

Albemar | 11:47 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Most importanly, he never had sex with anyone other than his wife.

Hundreds of thousands US soldiers and Iraqi citizens dead, the worst economy since the great depression around the corner, constant lies and threats of fear to control the masses, unprecidented power grabs, abismal stewardship of the environment, right-wing extremism, constant corporate favors and ignoring facts over ideology and fiction, what could we possibly miss when he is out of the White House?

History will treat him exactly how he deserves to be treated in history books. He may be a "nice guy", but our country deserved far better and he will go down as the absolute, undeniable worst president in modern American history!

Needs info | 11:51 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Could someone explain to me exactly how GWB affected job loss, decline in household annual income, stratified wealth and increased theloss of health insurance? I really want to know.
I don't think Bush has been the best president but I also think things could be a whole lot worse. Do you realize that over 70% of the people who make over $250,000 per year are small business owners? If there taxes go way up, what's going to happen to the little guy employed by the small business owner? If you think the small business owner is just going to take it in the shorts and continue to employ as many people as he has before and pay them more...I wish I had your vision and optimism.

Anonymous | 11:59 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Talk about denial!!!!

I agree....could be worse | 12:21 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Two sayings:
-it's not much, but it's the best we have.
-things could be worse.

As incompetent as George Bush may seem, one must remember that his actions are the result of not just his thoughts but of many other's voices. Our nation has become so divided in what's most important to each person, that no matter what you do, you are going to do it wrong in someone's opinion.

Also, if he is labeled as the worse president we have ever had, it is not his fault alone. He is a byproduct of our inability to raise good men to such positions anymore. Gone are the Washingtons's of our day, we're left with what we foster.

Obama talks a good game...but the results have yet to be determined. I truly fear for what lies ahead. Look at the children spewing forth out of "our" system? There are good men and women among them, but they either don't give voice or it can't be heard over the others.

I even fear for those who consider themselves educated that don't understand the higher laws that govern.

Until we get our act together, it's going to be stormy for a while.

SML-PDX | 12:24 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Thank you President Bush for your service to our country. All you Monday-morning quarterbacks and Bush-bashers should go back to your comfortable computers and making anonymous "postings." Real brave of you. I don't like Obama's policies and didn't vote for him but I'll support him as president because it's a job like no other. If only people did the same for Pres. Bush.

Rob | 12:35 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Isn't that amazing that we were not told that 30,000 people were rescued off roofs. That is what is wrong with the media. That was the fault of the mayors and the Governor. They should have all the blame placed on them.

all I'm saying | 12:40 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Makes you yearn for the good old days under Nixon

Thank you... | 1:31 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

President Bush. You showed class and decency throughout your time as President.
Thank you for keeping us safe and acting in the best interest of our country with the intelligence provided to you.
Thank you for giving us two awesome supreme court justices.
Thank you for not being trying to be popular and bending to the will of people who would hate you no matter what you do or say.
Thank you for a strong Vice President in Dick Cheney.
Thank you for the respect and reverence you showed our military personnel and their families.

God bless you and your family.

Funny | 1:32 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

President Bush admits some things that went wrong during his administration, and the Bush-defenders say "No! No! You didn't do anything wrong! It's all the fault of the liberal media!"

No Attacks Since 9/11! | 1:43 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I will always be thankful to Bush for his willingness to sacrifice political expediency for the assurance of my safety. He took immediate and aggressive action after 9/11.

My country has not been attacked since 9/11/01. For that I give him credit. It is my understanding that the vast majority of the military share this sentiment.

Does anyone honestly believe that we would be better off (from a financial and security standpoint) if Gore and/or Kerry were president(s).

I could not imagine how worse off we would be right now had Gore been president during 9/11. This self flagelating bleeding heart would probably find a way to lay the blame for 9/11 on us -- Americans!

Gore actually went to Saudi Arabia and told students there that the US was "thoughtless" in our handling of Visas of foreigners since 9/11. He told them that it was "unforgivable" that we don't allow people to overstay their visas.

As for the economny, the dems have been at the helm in congress (House and Senate) for 4 years now. Why is this not econ debacle not landing on their shoulders?

Give me a break!

Qualify These Statements | 1:53 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I came into office under a recession or depression and leave office the same way? Those helicopter DRIVERS(pilots?) and coast guard drivers(pilots?) retrieved 30,000 off from rooftops and air force ones driver(pilots?)were not called upon to take me to New Orleans because the cops were too busy to give us security. What a laugh, all of it.

No one is perfect: | 2:06 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Except the liberal media and Bush-Bashers who write their comments to destroy.
The Dem's have undermined this country for 16 years and had a pass from the press.....now we'll see how they do ....yes, the Clinton years hurt the USA.

I make no excuses for Bush or the Republicans, but now can the Dems actually do something besides undermine???

It's so easy | 2:16 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

to criticize when you don't know all the facts and have the advantage of not being the one responsible for making a decision and dealing with the consequences.

I believe that history will show that GW Bush was a very good president considering all that he was dealt during his presidency.

KM | 2:29 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

"What we have here is a failure to communicate."

This to me has been one of the great let-downs of President Bush. I didn't know if he was still alive or not, because I never heard him speak.
One of the most important qualities of a president should be an ability to communicate your ideas to the masses.

On your way out the door could you give us just a little justice and pardon Campion and Ramos?

PS. GW lied less about WMD than did congress. Why because they lied about the supposed lie.

No attacks! | 4:46 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

No attacks since the Democrats took control of Congress!

Re: No attacks | 5:29 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

There will be more attacks. Obama will be tested by terrorists. Ask Joe Biden.

John | 5:46 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Well, just remember, at the Nuernberg Trials after WWII, all the nazis justified their actions as well.

Disagree all you want | 5:55 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

the letter notes "He particularly became indignant when asked about America's bruised image overseas.

"I disagree with this assessment that, you know, that people view America in a dim light," he said."

disagree with the assessment until you're blue in the face, its true and its largely your administration's fault, W.

ds | 6:11 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

The towers fell during the Bush presidency. He failed. The first failure of many. Worst president ever!

HIS STORY | 7:18 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

BUSH has all the money he needs to hire as many PhD's as possible to write history the way he wants it to be written.

Utah County will take you! | 7:22 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Remember George, if Texas finally wakes up there is always a place for you in Utah County.

thankful | 8:36 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Even though Bush ran for presidency and had somewhat of an idea what he would be up against, it came as a suprise to every American when the Twin Towers were attacked. All I can say is that I sure am glad I never had the responsibility to make any of the decisions that Bush had to make, and to face the criticism that would come from anyone that would not support that decision, or who would later CHANGE their view or opinion on the route that should have been taken. I am thankful for the years that Bush has served for his country and hope that he will have a great retirement and future life. Also, I wish Obama the best of luck and hope that he, along with the help of God, Congress, and all Americans can help our country to see better days.

Ridgerunner | 8:50 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Every President in history has certainly had their critics but I say President Bush served his country with honor and distinction amid arguably the most hateful,undermining national news media in history. It will be interesting to see if Obama does half as good a job as did GWB! Thank you President Bush on behalf of millions of grateful Americans.

Disbeleif? Reply | 9:03 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

No attacks since the democrats took over ongress!!! Have you seen the approval ratings of congress? Aparently not. If Bush ratings are bad congress is in single digits. It was the democratic congress who screamed that we were torturing the poor terrorist. Had congress had it's way we would not have been safe for seven years. President Bush has been a decent and honorable man. The democrats cant get over Bill Clinton getting impeached. The man who continues to be an embarrassment to our country with his wealthy friends overseas. He is not worried about his reputation - just money. Mark Rich is another crime to his credit. I am proud of President Bush's character in the White House. I will miss him.

I wish.. | 1:06 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

somebody would attack congress. Start with Pelosi and Ried.

oldman | 6:28 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

Unbelievable. Some people cannot see what this man has done to this country. Many called him bubble boy. This seems to fit his followers. It is terrifying to think so many are out of touch with reality. I guess this was one of the reasons we ended up in Iraq. Listening to Cheney and Bush has devastated this country.

spin doctors | 7:11 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

The President could hire a boatload of spin doctors, buy polish by the barrel, and erasers by the dozens, but he still can't hide the fact:

he is our worst president ------ ever.

To those of you who still try to figure out a way to support him, I feel sorry for you. You obviously cannot read or watch the news. You suffer from being able to call a spade a spade.

Thank you George | 7:19 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

Worst President in my lifetime Jimmy Carter. History will confirm that fact.

Bush made his share of mistakes, but the "lies" about WMD are in fact lies themselves. Back then the whole world, even Saddam's own military, were fooled....go back and do some research. Satellite photos showed UN inspectors going in the front door while Iraqi soldiers loaded stuff on trucks out the back door! What would any observant person conclude? What about all that yellow cake (uranium ore) found? An inconvenient truth eh?

If he had gone into Afghanistan he would have been criticized, guaranteed, once Saddam began paying suicide bomber's families $25K to come to the U.S. and ply their deadly trade.

He did listen to Rumsfeld too long. He did keep this country from being attacked since 911. His spending programs were a disgrace for a republican. There were no stolen elections. There were plenty of immature sore losers.

Congress had no control over anything he did - yeah right!

He could not or would not stand up and lie as convincingly as some past presidents. Americans love a good orator - regardless if sincerity or falsehoods are uttered.

Could have done worse than Bush.

Set the record straight | 8:18 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

Regarding "torture" the fact is Bush briefed leaders of both parties in congress before any waterboarding was done. That is a fact! Congress, being ever so quick to make political hay, after raising no objections to Bush later lead the ever willing media and other eager followers that Bush was out of control.

Get with it people - its called politics!

The system of checks and balances in our system is such that there is very little that someone can do as a renegade in our government. Reid, Pelosi et al, played politics with this torture issue, GITMO, and a host of other issues. Why? To set their party up for victory in the next election.

You will see similar politics from the republicans when Obama takes office, with one exception, you will not see the republicans fail to support the troops, declare a conflict lost, vote not to fund troops in the field, etc. That is a major difference between the two parties.

As a veteran and citizen I feel I am well qualified to judge which party is more patriotic and which party will put their partisan politics ahead of the interests of the country.

sad republican | 8:36 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

I used to think I voted for the right leader.
Right up until the day he agreed with a democrat congress to bailouts for stock market investment bankers- Citi Bank Credit Card Hijackers- creators of the bankruptcy laws for the common folk. AIG- car companies and others- to the tune of 700 billion out the front door and a trillion out the back door.
He even admits on video that he sold our ['free market principals']-
Cheney admits on video that he encouraged water boarding and other tortures.
I am reminded of that old movie- Cool Hand Luke-
The chain gang warden knocks cool hand Luke- Paul Newman down the bank with a club and then looks at all the other prisoners and says: "What we have here 'IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE.'" President Bush is the worst president of communication in history- Only history will tell his legacy.

Larry H. | 8:45 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

It's too bad Americans only rely on what they are told by the media to formulate their opinions. For example, most are convinced that Bush lied to us about the WMD in Iraq, so he could get away with some sort of crazy scheme to do who knows what. Fact is, he was "tricked" into believing the WMD were there, by no other than Saddam himself, as Saddam admitted when he was interrogated after his capture. He explained that he had to make the world believe he had WMD in order to keep Iran and the other countries around him from invading Iraq. So he and his boys fabricated a system of lies and deceptions to make the world believe the had WMD, to scare away his enemies. And it worked. So criticize Bush and Blair and the hundreds of others who Saddam convinced of the WMD, but don't go so crazy as to swallow all the tripe shoveled to us over the airwaves about Bush having such a perfect control of the world he could make all this happen on purpose! He will later be found to be a better president than many think he was.

Larry H. | 9:00 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

First: Please notice that my real name heads this comment, not "anonymous" or some other cowardly tag.
Second: Regardless of being for or against Bush, or Obama, or whoever: it would be refreshing to see some facts here from time to time, rather than emotional spouting off which, in essence, pushes the blame for whatever is wrong on whoever has been tagged by the press and media as "The Problem". I rather doubt that Bush, Obama, or anyone else who works in the Oval Office has enough power to work his own will enough to be in a position to be completely responsible for the outcome of any significant action in this country. It would be interesting to save all the posts here and compare them to what is said about Obama in four or eight years hence. Like Bush, no matter WHAT he actually does, he will get too much blame and not enough credit. I hope we are a little more forgiving of his decisions; can you imagine the burden of being the first black president? Will we allow him to make ANY human errors? Let's quit criticizing anyone and focus on fixing the problems we face!

re: Set the Record Straight | 9:12 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

The "patriotic" Republicans supported the policy of sending troops into Iraq without a reality-based postwar plan The "patriotic" Republican Congress rubber-stamped, provided no oversight of the postwar chaos. Are Gen. Shinseki, Gen. Batiste and Gen. Colin Powell qualifed to to judge which party is more patriotic? They echoed the Democrats criticism of the Bush Administration, not the Republicans.

Obama and Gitmo..... | 9:13 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

I hope Obama does shut down Bush's evil Camp Gitmo.
Obama will then prove he's going to be a different kind of President by releasing Gitmo "detainees" back into to our society.

I hope the first Batch of "detainees" are relaesed to Salt Lake City's east side, right in the nieghborhoods that still have their Obama lawn signs up, The rest can go to Aspen , Manhatten and San Fransicko.

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