A Positive Legacy?

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I got to thinking. What if the unimaginable happens? i.e., Bush wins re-election in November, things settle down in Iraq, a stable, democratic government is formed, which eventually leads to the democratization of other Middle Eastern countries.

Now I realize there are a whole bunch of "ifs" there, but if this comes to pass, will history actually look back on Bush favorably? What will Bush's legacy be?

 

History has looked favourably on countless other politicians who were not liked whilst in office so it is not inconceivable that the same could happen to Bush Jr. It is unlikely, but not at all unimaginable.

Interesting question, Aldeth the Foppish Idiot.

 

Here's another question: how long before this gets moved to the Alley?

Seriously though, as Aldeth says, that's a lot of "ifs". I guess re-election is a definite, albeit scary, possibility... but I don't think the formation of a stable democratic Middle-East is realistic in the short-medium term.

As for Bush's historical legacy, I guess it depends if you mean "in the US" or "around the world". If it's the former, he'll most probably be looked on very favourably (see Reagan, Ronald), especially after his death. If it's the latter, I can't imagine his legacy will be widely embraced as anything even remotely "good" on a global scale...

 

Ooops. This was supposed to go into the Alley. I screwed up.

 

History may look kindly on Bush...eventually...but I'm not holding my breath.

Reagan was far more of a loose cannon than Bush - he challenged the Soviets in a game of nuclear chicken, made Europe a hostage to the MAD game by littering the continent with NATO missiles, flooded Afghanistan with money and materiel resulting in thousands of Soviet deaths, played dice with tax policy, increased defense spending by enormous amounts, intervented in Central America, allowed the Iran-Contra scandal, used explicitly Christian imagery in the foreign policy context, and promoted a conservative social policy when the House (and US population, for that matter) had been securely liberal-Democratic for decades.

What we see today as Reagan's easygoing charm was, in his time, just another example of...the American cowboy. He was definitely not perceived as a man of high intelligence, and those who worked with him often found him cold and distant behind his charming surface.

There are only two reasons Reagan is remembered more-or-less positively. One: his policies worked. Two: he's dead.

Really, by Reaganite standards, Bush is pretty tame. As Djleff points out, like Reagan, Bush may someday be admired here in the US, but he will probably never be liked outside.

So maybe if - emphasis on "if" - Bush is re-elected, Iraq is democratized, and the war on terror doesn't metastisize, then he'll be remembered kinda sorta vaguely positively. But don't expect his memoirs to sell anywhere at the level of "My Life".

 

well who knows Abe Lincon was an extremely unpopular president...who like Bush was not elected by a popular vote...and he is one of the most revered president in American history

 

To me, the main difference I see between Bush and Reagan was that Reagan was immensely popular while he was in office. In both of the elections he won, it was a landslide victory, and he never had to worry about having an approval rating below 50%. In fact, Reagan had so much support from Democrats (the Reagan Democrats) that it assured Bush (the first) victory in 1988.

 

Hrmmm, when all the IF's are fullfilled, I don't see why not - as is often said, the difference between genius and insanity is determined by the level of success (thereby not wishing to imply in any manner that there might be some genius in bush btw)
But when his policies work out, he'll probably be remembered as someone who took a big gamble, won, and made the world a better place by doing so (well maybe not in Arabic countries, but in N-america & europe I think)

 

Shrub's legacy will not be about what the historians have to say. It will be based on what happens to America during his term. As it stands right now, there is little good that can be said for his "accomplishments." He has destroyed America's very good reputation that it once enjoyed in the world at large. This also includes any credibility America once had in the world community.

His war in Iraq will be paid for by the next few generations of Americans. And America will be much weaker for the expense of blood and treasure that has been spent on bringing "democracy" to a country in the Middle East.

America will be giving away billions of dollars to Iraqis. At the same America's own economy continues to flounder; millions of Americans cannot afford decent healthcare, education or jobs. In many urban and rural areas hopitals, schools and tranportation systems are falling into disrepair and ruin. At the same time, the repubicans say that Iraq is being rebuilt. Great, but at the expense of Americans.

There are governmental and legislative attacks on the American worker: taking from them the right to overtime, having them working longer hours for less money, and cut-backs in benefits. While at the same time Srub's big business bankrollers enjoy larger profits and at the top of the pyramid greater incomes and benefits for themselves. In attempts to drive up their stock prices they have cut-back their labour force, and are paying themselves more with greater stock earnings.

But worst of all, he has made himself president of only half the people. His policies, his actions, his rhetoric reflects only half the country. As a result, he is not my president; never has been and never will be. Many feel just as I do. The country remains divided because of his utter lack of any skills as a leader and a statesmen. He is neither. But he knows how to shamlessly pander to his own base. His supporters remain more loyal to "the man" and his party, rather than the national good or any form of national unity. As a result of this man's poor leadership skills there are now two "Americas." If Shrub gets four more years the country and its people will grow further apart - the rift will widen.

The state of the nation is what it is. This next election will be crucial for what happens to those two Americas. If he gets one more term, then Shrub's legacy may well be about how he took one great nation and broke it in two.