President Bush: Not as bad as you thought?

The verdict has been in for nearly two years: The American population does not approve of the way President Bush has done his job. His approval rating has been below 40% for nearly two years, and has, of late, hovered around 30%.

Along comes Fareed Zakaria, writing in Newsweek, with this counterintuitive idea: The widespread criticism under which the president has labored month after month "misses an important reality."

The criticism has come from all over, he notes: "Democrats, Republicans, independents, foreigners, Martians, everyone." But it has been directed at an administration that is not the one running things now.

The foreign policies that aroused the greatest anger and opposition were mostly pursued in Bush's first term: the invasion of Iraq, the rejection of treaties, diplomacy and multilateralism. In the past few years, many of these policies have been modified, abandoned or reversed.

The shifts do not so much represent a change of thinking "so much as an admission of failure; the old way simply wasn't working."

As a result, he notes, the administration has put in place foreign policies that "are more sensible, moderate and mainstream."

It took a long time, but the turnaround in our policy in Iraq has been significant. The United States has made broad overtures to the Sunni community, and now actively supports Sunni fighters it had once jailed. We've concentrated on stabilizing Shiite neighborhoods, helping to free them from dependence on militias.

Having said that, Zakaria acknowledges...

..."the basic gruesome realities of Iraq -- a country from which 2.5 million people have fled (mostly the professional class), thugs and militias rule in too many places, dysfunction and corruption are utterly endemic, and religious theocrats still wield immense power."

But, considering what it was like in 2005, he notes, "the administration has moved firmly in the right direction."

Then there are the countries of Afghanistan, where after years of mishandling, the administration has dramatically increased spending on reconstruction and equipping the Afghan army; North Korea, where "the administration's reversal has been near total"; and Iran, where "the administration has performed a similar about-face."

But in Africa, which many consider the one shining light of Bush's foreign policy, the picture is more mixed than just successful efforts to counter malaria and build support for anti-HIV programs.

In a sad replay of the cold war, the United States has allied itself with unscrupulous dictators for no particular gain, only because they have learned to mouth the language of the global War on Terror.

And, even as he notes the shifts that have in many instances gone unnoticed or for which Bush does not get credit, Zakaria writes that the administration compiled a record of "monumental errors in its first years, ones that have cost the United States enormously."

It is a record "of failure and missed opportunities," of a president who took office "convinced that everything his predecessor had done was feckless, stupid, ill-informed and venal."

The result was a rejection of all-things Clinton.

But -- and this is Zakaria's point in presenting this likely controversial picture of Bush -- the next president would be wise to not throw out the baby with the Bush bath water.

Recognizing the shifts that have taken place, some of it might be worth saving.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press

Comments

[Hombre Viejo]

Someday people will realize George Bush was an excellent president. A man who led his nation in the defense of the overwhelming threats we have faced with character and perserverence. That done despite obstructionism, and much opposition to doing the hard things we as a nation must do to remain free.
Too bad most won't appreciate his vision until the socialist democrats take their turn at the helm.
It has been more than difficult to lead of nation of spoiled whiners. Bush's biggest failure in my mind is in allowing our nation to be invaded by foreign nationals. I think that caught him and most of us by surprise. Now the job of deporting so many illegal aliens is an expensive and a difficult chore.
People who want something for nothing seem to dislike Bush. I've never seen such a good man and an American president as miligned criticzed as has President George Bush.
Some may think a new democrat president will bring a free Chicken in every pot. When Bush is gone what happens is going to surprise a whole lot of people.

[Hmmm]

While I don't agree with everything you said there Hombre, I have thought about that. What if years down the road we look back and see that Bush actually was a great President, just racked in controversy. After the dust settles, time will tell.

[Gaelic Spawn]

Hombre Viejo, you must be REALLY old to be so senile. Only idiots and people who are blind to reality think like you do. The rest of us thinking people look at all of his policies critically, and can hardly find ANY that actually worked. Most of them were utter failures. Get a life and a brain!

[Malby]

oh, sure--tell that to the 4000 dead American soldiers and thousands of dead Iraqis.

[TSC]

Hombre Viejo,

You are so totally clueless. Tried and true Republicans have abandoned their support for the moron you have so much respect for. The list of Bush Administration atrocities is so great, it will provide fodder for years.
Step out of your cave and read a newspaper.

Please Hombre – read a newspaper. Any newspaper. If you don't have the ability to comprehend what it going on, talk to a neighbor. Talk to anyone. Please.

Only 160 days left of this Administration. It's 160days too many.

TSC

[Karl K]

Are you out of your mind? Bush not only qualifies as one of the worst presidents, but one of America's greatest embarrassments. I would say he is worse than Nixon because at least Nixon had a brain, every time I hear bush speak I cringe, what happened to the educated and eloquent presidents of the past. Also there should be opposition to doing "the hard things" to be free. How is it possible to sacrifice our freedoms and remain free? It would be like burning your house down to protect it from being destroyed by a tornado. All his failings, Katrina, Iraq war, Kyoto, Gitmo, Patriot Act, Stem Cell research, Gay rights, all due to totally incompetence and religious extremism

I am always a bit confused by comments from Republicans who generalize Democrats as "whiners" or "wanting something for nothing" or "godless". A lot of us, myself included are educated, God-fearing, patriotic people with families, just like those on the red side of the isle. Now, I don't know where in the country Mr. Viejo comes from, but I was raised in Utah, known as the most Republican and conservative state in the union. It was always interesting for me to hear my conservative neighbors, teachers and church leaders condem "liberals" as socialists; referring, of course, to the social services that many poor americans rely on to feed their families. What these same neighbors, teachers and church leaders failed to see or refused to mention is how many poor, white, Republicans there are in Utah and how many of them took advantage of the welfare system and other social programs to feed their families. People lose their jobs, their homes and their lifestyles all the time; from both the Democratic and Republican side of the isle. The difference between the two, in my eyes, is that a Democrat is more apt to say "Thank God" that these "socialist" systems were in place to help me feed my family, while the Repulicans assumed they were being punished by God and quietly accepted their benefits with shame, never giving thanks for the assistance they were given in their time of need and certainly not speaking about the shameful event to their neighbors, co-workers, or fellow church members. Sure, many people abuse these social systems. I, however, would prefer knowing that my tax dollars are going to help my countrymen in their time of need as opposed to carrying out the atrocities that Bush has inflicted on millions, both foreign and American, in the name of the U.S. How many Republicans are going to lose their homes to the housing crisis? Alot. Yet, I'm sure they will line up to vote for John McCain for 4 more years of W's policies and his "historic" leadership. Excellent President Mr. Viejo? Where the hell is Osama Bin Laden? How about those weapons of mass destruction? Been to New Orleans lately? Happy to see your grandchildren pay off the current national debt? How much do YOU pay at the gas pump?

[Ex-Republican]

Intensionally misleading the country over and over again. Making up laws to suit his agenda. Destroying freedom after freedom in the name of protecting it. Grossly mishandling the economy. Spending spree that almost doubled the national debt... the list goes on and on. GW Bush has done more harm to the United States the a thousand Osama bin Laden's could have ever hoped to accomplish.

The legacy of GW will haunt our country for years to come and the freedoms we have lost under his mis-government will likely never be reclaimed.

In the later years of the Vietnam war about 40% of the population still supported the war and wonted to "stay the course". Now about 80% believe Vietnam was a mistake (hard to believe 20% still dint get it).

I believe history will view GW's terms as president in a similar manner. Twenty years from now George's 30% approval rating will be half that or less. But as with the Vietnam war, some people are unable to ever except they were wrong.

[kritter]

Viejo

I would ask that you read Ron Suskind's new book which details how the administration pressured George Tenet to have the CIA forge documents creating a connection between Saddam Hussein and 9/11, and detailing the deal between Iraq and Niger to obtain uranium for the nonexistent WMD's. These were in turn used as justification for the "shock and awe" that started the Iraq War. Also realize that we are now spending 12 billion per month on this unnecessary war, which is inflating the deficit. Of course the oil companies and defense contractors, who supported Bush's candidacy are making record profits.

[Michael]

Easily the worst president ever in my book. It will take many years for this country to recover from his administrations corruption and incompetence.

"People who want something for nothing seem to dislike Bush" Repubs think they are the only ones working in this country, and everyone else is on welfare. Get a clue please, this is BS.

[mark]

I'm pretty sure Rove & Co are playing the game for 2012 and will attempt to pin all the accumulated damage and attendant misery on the next occupants of the White House.
With that said, I believe things are very likely to go poorly in the next term of whatever President is elected- the powers that be are only trying to hold things together long enough to give McCain a chance and then I think they can't stop the trends forever.
What does hearten me is the the general US population seems to really be catching on- they realize that we missed a critical opportunity in the 70s and that there will need to be retooling of our lives, aggressive alt energy development and some sacrifice. A good leader will help catalyze that and you can decide for yourselves which one is most likely to be that leader.

[Marshall]

I would add a few important successes to Bush's roster not mentioned in this article:

1. Libya. People forget that Qaddafi and his nuclear weapons agenda was a real concern. After the US intercepted pieces of a complete nuclear production facility bound for Libya, Bush got tough with Qaddafi and convinced him to ditch his nuclear ambitions.

2. North Korea. After we discovered that they'd been secretly building nuclear weapons under a treaty signed by Carter, Bush diplomacy efforts appear to be paying off. The jury's not in yet but signs are good that NK may be complying. However, there's some concern among hawks that Bush may not have been tough enough and that we could be fooled again.

3. Taxes. Bush tax cuts were part and parcel of the economic boom that lasted until the festering subprime monster reared its ugly head, hardly Bush's fault.

[Jonathan]

Let me first start off by stating that I don't think President Bush has been an excellent president but the worst - I'm sorry I just can't get there. Karl K - I have a few issues with your post you claim that Katrina was his failings, Answer me this when was the last time that a Katrina like storm hit the continental U.S? Hurricane Andrew? What was Bush suppose to do, place the rescue personnel in Louisiana, or maybe you would like the ships to wait in the Gulf of Mexico. How about this, when the government tells you that a very big and powerful storm his heading for your town and you should leave - you should leave! Not enough blame is placed on the people who refused to leave, this is a good example of Darwin's survival of the fittest.
Second, Bush was not the first president to refuse to submit the Kyoto Protocol to the senate for ratification. Clinton was the first. In addition, Bush had very legitimate national interests in not ratifying Kyoto. First, China, India and Germany all get exemptions under the Kyoto that require less than full compliance while the US must fully comply with Kyoto. Why, I'm not sure but still seems like a very lopsided treaty to me. Second, economist are concerned with the economic impact on the US. Predictions from 2-5% reduction in the GDP have been discussed. Think about this, in the 3rd quarter this year the economy decreased by 0.5% and people are clamoring about, imagine if it was reduced by 4%.
A quick side note on Iraq, I find it amusing how everyone glosses over the most important thing to come out of the Shoe attack on the President. The guy is still alive, he would never have tried a stunt like that with Saddam in power. Even more astonishing is that he'll get a fair trial on top of the fact that he is suing the bodyguards who threw him on the floor. That my friend is a step forward to a free and independent Iraq.
I do agree that his stem cell research and gay rights positions is wrong, but the country is still divided on this issue so to say that is a failing is unfair and improper.
As for the poster who blamed the current housing crisis on Bush this is unfounded and a blatant misrepresentation of the truth. In fact, Bush increased regulations on the financial industry by tightening regulation on the Community Reinvestment Act. In addition is was under Clinton that the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act was passed. This bill required Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to devote a percentage of funds to low income families to buy homes. While I have no problem with low income families being afforded the opportunity to purchase homes, they should be required to put the same amount down on a home that I or you would have to - 15-20% - instead they are required to only place 3% down. In addition they are granted larger mortgages than there income suggest that they should be able to afford. This is completely irresponsible and is completely the governments fault, not just Bush. Bush got the bad end of the stick, he inherited it from his dad and Clinton, and many experts predicted that if the economy falter or stagnated then the housing bubble would burst. No one in government listened. As far as welfare programs and entitlement programs go this is easy to argue against. 18% of every dollar that the government collects in taxes actually goes to its designated program. Very efficient!
I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes "A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. " ~ Thomas Jefferson

[hello]

I like Bush. He was a great president. He protected this country very well,
Homeland security is here because of him. although I like to see the world come together, we still need to protect ourselves and clinton messed all that up with his horrible immigration policy. democrates do not care about usa all they want is control and they will sell to whoever will pay. I do think republicans need to look at some of their issues, if they want to win again they need to look hard at pro life issues and womens' issues.
that said, Bush was great and if you dont like him you dont like USA and you are probably a whiner, BUSH WON FAIR AND SQUARE 2 TERMS. also bush didnt spend so much on his inauguations either!!!
ps. i am a foreign born american so there.