George W. Bush

Who Is George W. Bush?

George W. Bush, born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He assumed office after narrowly winning the contentious 2000 presidential election, marked by one of the closest Electoral College victories in U.S. history. His presidency is notable for leading the country’s response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and for initiating the Iraq War. Prior to his presidency, Bush was a businessman and the governor of Texas.

Early Life and Education

George Walker Bush was born into a prominent political family. He is the eldest of six children of George H.W. Bush, who later became the 41st President of the United States, and Barbara Pierce Bush. The Bush family has a long-standing legacy in business and politics. His grandfather, Prescott Bush, served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.

In 1948, the Bush family relocated to Midland, Texas, where George H.W. Bush established a successful career in the oil industry. Young George spent his formative years in Midland before moving to Houston in 1961. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he participated in baseball, basketball, and football. Known for his affable personality, he earned a reputation as an occasional troublemaker but maintained strong social connections.

In 1964, Bush enrolled at Yale University, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. At Yale, he became president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and played rugby. Social life often took precedence over academics, but Bush was well-liked by peers from diverse backgrounds. He also joined the Skull and Bones society, an exclusive group known for its influential members.

Military Service

Upon completing his studies at Yale in 1968, during the height of the Vietnam War, Bush enlisted in the Texas Air National Guard. Despite a long waiting list, he secured a spot through the unsolicited assistance of a family friend. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he earned his fighter pilot certification in 1970. While his attendance record and fulfillment of service obligations have been questioned, Bush was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve in November 1974.

Personal Life

After completing his service in the Texas Air National Guard, George W. Bush pursued further education at Harvard Business School, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1975. He returned to Midland, Texas, to enter the oil industry, initially working for a family friend before founding his own oil and gas company. In 1977, at a backyard barbecue, Bush was introduced to Laura Welch, a schoolteacher and librarian. Following a brief three-month courtship, they married on November 5, 1977. The couple made their home in Midland, where Bush continued to develop his business ventures.

Bush credits Laura with bringing stability to his life. Before their marriage, he struggled with alcohol-related issues, but his life began to change after their union. He became a born-again Christian and joined the United Methodist Church. In 1981, the couple welcomed twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. By 1986, Bush sold his struggling oil business to Harken Energy Corporation, gaining a seat on its board of directors. Around the same time, he quit drinking and deepened his involvement in his faith and church activities.

Governor of Texas

In 1988, George W. Bush relocated with his family to Washington, D.C., to assist in his father’s successful presidential campaign. Following this, he returned to Texas and joined a group of investors to purchase the Texas Rangers baseball team in 1989. Bush emerged as the leader of the group, making impactful decisions that improved the team’s performance and reputation. His share in the team was sold in 1998 at a substantial profit, further bolstering his reputation as a capable businessman.

Motivated by his father’s 1992 re-election loss, Bush entered politics, running for governor of Texas in 1994. His campaign focused on welfare and tort reform, crime reduction, and education improvement. Despite a highly competitive race, he defeated incumbent Democrat Ann Richards, becoming the first child of a U.S. president to be elected a state governor. In 1998, he was re-elected, becoming the first Texas governor to serve consecutive four-year terms. As governor, he promoted “compassionate conservatism,” advocating for tax cuts, education reform, and bipartisan governance. Under his leadership, significant reforms tied teacher salaries to student performance and lowered the age for juveniles to be tried as adults.

First Term as President

In 1999, Bush announced his presidential candidacy. The 2000 election against Democratic candidate Al Gore was one of the closest and most controversial in U.S. history, ultimately decided by the Supreme Court after a protracted recount in Florida. Despite losing the popular vote, Bush secured 271 Electoral College votes to Gore’s 266.

During his first term, Bush enacted a $1.35 trillion tax cut to stimulate the economy, a move criticized for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy. He also withdrew the U.S. from the Kyoto Protocol, citing potential economic harm. His presidency was soon overshadowed by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Bush launched the “War on Terror,” creating the Department of Homeland Security, implementing the Patriot Act, and authorizing controversial surveillance measures. The U.S. also led military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, aiming to dismantle terrorist networks and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, though the latter claims proved unfounded.

Second Term as President

Re-elected in 2004, Bush faced mounting challenges, including escalating conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, criticism of his administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina, and resistance to his proposed Social Security reforms. His second term saw efforts to reform immigration and environmental policies, both of which faced polarized reactions. By 2008, the U.S. was grappling with a severe financial crisis. The administration passed the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to stabilize the economy, though the nation’s debt had significantly increased.

Life After the White House

Bush left office in 2009 with historically low approval ratings and a deeply divided nation. He and Laura settled in Dallas, Texas, where he worked on his presidential library and authored his memoir, Decision Points. Despite stepping back from the public eye, he occasionally re-emerged for humanitarian efforts, such as fundraising for disaster relief after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Bush’s legacy evolved over time. His presidential library, opened in 2013, provided a platform for reflecting on his tenure. Public opinion of his presidency softened, with a 2018 poll showing 61% of Americans viewed him favorably, a significant increase from when he left office. In later years, Bush distanced himself from partisan politics, emphasizing unity and rejecting racial bigotry, and he offered critical perspectives on issues like Russian election interference.

Today, George W. Bush is regarded with mixed opinions, balancing his leadership during crises with controversies surrounding his policies and decisions.