The biggest failure of the Bush administration

[PeterMP]

Just curious. Poll coming

[Burgold]

That's a hard one. I would say it was a failure due to stubborness and linear thinking. So, I guess that's cowboy mentality accross the board. If I had to absolutely pick one thing, I would pick a failure in the ability to assess and choose good people to fill their jobs: That would cover Rumsfield, Brown, Cheney, Wolfowitz, etc. He picked bad people and was too stubbornly loyal to them and they mislead him and the country.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

Not cutting taxes?

What do you want?

[Midnight Judges]

I said "Lying to get us into Iraq" although I really don't feel like rehashing the futile debate over whether or not they lied. The bottom line is that thay started an unnecessary war and it wasn't the last resort. It did tremendous damage to our credibility, our reputation and our influence around the world. It will take decades to reverse that damage and reassert ourselves as the leaders of the free world. Worst of all, over 4000 of our troops are dead, 30,000 wounded, and it didn't have to happen. No economic crises can compare to that.

[brandymac27]

I think lying to get us into Iraq.

[Rdskns2000]

The biggest failure was not making us independent of foreign sources of energy. Even though I disagree with Al Gore; I have no doubt Al would've had a Kennedy moment and launched an "Apollo" type mission for energy independence.

Just think where would be now if we did. Gas prices would be cheap. Iraq would probably not have happened. Anyone think the old Russia would've risen like it has. Iran wouldn't be much of a thread. Hugo Chavez?

Technology innovations is what brought the rise of the United States in the 20th century; green technologies is what will keep us going this century and provide new sources of jobs as old industries die.


I do hope Obama at least does an Apollo style energy independence program.

[Hersh]

How about a general failure of leadership, particularly after 9/11. Yes, going into Afganistan was the right move, but what did Bush tell us to do...Go out to shop because if we don't, the terrorists will win.

[AsburySkinsFan]

Holy smokes that was harder than I thought. I think the one that should have been there was "Embracing the Neo-Con (PNAC) agenda" that one wraps up a few of the others within its umbrella. I chose lying to get into Iraq, as its the biggest result of the PNAC influence, I'd follow it with these others.

Cowboy foreign policy
Rove philosophy
Using his Evangelicalism to garner votes and then ignoring the issues wraps up a couple others

I honestly don't blame Bush as much for Katrina as some do in that I see it as a disaster caused by the failure of city and state officials. Granted that the FEMA response was an utter disaster.

[EersSkins05]

I voted for the handling of Katrina.

Everything else is policy. That was a failure of epic proportions in administrating the most basic of governmental functions.

[gbear]

The desire to win 51% and only 51% of the vote has hurt us. Were we ever this divided as a country?

I remember when I didn't know my neighbors' party affiliation because it was such a small part of their thinking on any political issue. I miss that.

[alexey]

I think vast majority of these things were enabled by the "values" he brought in, which is lack or responsibility, accountability, oversight, and the culture of secrecy.

Biggest long-term damage will probably come as a result of his energy policy.

[MurrayH81]

I would say his biggest failure was his innability to be true to his original campaign policies/promises (and basically shrugging that stuff off as 'politics') and treating his oath of office in the same fashion.

I don't know if he deliberately set out to abuse his integrity, or if others coaxed/forced him into it. Either way, his serious breach of integrity resulted in the remainder of those items listed in the poll (at least in my opinion), the most serious of which was his continual undermining of the Constitution.

[NattyLight]

How about "All of the above" or not being a good President. His entire presidency has been a failure and the civilized world pretty hates America. Good work.

[Corcaigh]

I voted for the economic crisis as this was something that was forseen and then the response was poorly thought out.

I don't think he actually lied to get us into Iraq, but the it symbolized the collective 'group think' where dissenting voices are marginalized. The 'war' between the Pentagon and the State Department should not have been tolerated and it led to a very poorly conceived strategy for military and diplomatic action. That was a huge failure of leadership.

[mjah]

It's incredible that there are so damned many options, the vast majority of which truly can be blamed on this White House.

What a depressing 8 years we've had.

[skinfan13]

lots of those are major faliures, but the biggest one of all? Bin Laden. no question about it.

[Veretax]

how about failure to take the cases for anything other than the War On terror to the American people?

[AsburySkinsFan]

lots of those are major faliures, but the biggest one of all? Bin Laden. no question about it.

As far as politically; i.e. popularity is concerned yes not getting Bin Laden is huge, and bigger still is not finding him in that same rat hole with Saddam.

[pjfootballer]

Where's ALL OF THE ABOVE?

[PeterMP]

Where's ALL OF THE ABOVE?

The objective is to get people to select ONE (I also seriously doubt that many people believe that none of the above is the proper answer).

[JMS]

How about "All of the above" or not being a good President. His entire presidency has been a failure and the civilized world pretty hates America. Good work.

I think that's right. I think Bush's biggest failure is the totality of his administation leaves the Presidency and the country deminished in the eyes of the people and the eyes of the world.

Lieing, Corruption, and Incompetence are his legacy and those are the recurring themes to all of the problems mentioned in the list.. All of the above is the correct answer.

[Predicto]

I had to go with rushing into Iraq - even though I think that fair arguments may be made on both sides as to whether anyone "lied" in the strict sense.

Blatant cronyism, ideological litmus tests and endless tolerence of incompetence by subordinates would also be high on my list.

[The Evil Genius]

How about..continuing to only surround himself with yes men? The single greatest thing that the next President can do is to reach out to the people who challenge him on a daily basis.

[BigMike619]

homosexual agenda?

[GibbsFactor]

Easily the bull**** about Iraq.

[dockeryfan]

Many failures, and it's difficult to pick one.

I think decreasing the national security has to be the biggest failing. The country is less safe now than ever before.

Our military is weaker: spread too thin with resources, making us more vulnerable.
Our economy is weaker, and the bailout bill is the worst idea to strengthen it.
Our ability to garner help from allies is weakened, due to the reckless foreign policy of the last eight years.

All add up to a weaker United States if the S hits the fan.

[E-Dog Night]

Hmmm....

"Not doing more to limit the expansion of the homosexual agenda"

Say what?

[PeterMP]

Hmmm....

"Not doing more to limit the expansion of the homosexual agenda"

Say what?

You know stuff like gay marriage, etc.

[Thiebear]

Immigration
Education bill to Kennedy

[PeterMP]

Immigration
Education bill to Kennedy

Should have put immigration on there.

[youngestson]

The answer is none of the above though there are many flaws in his presidential resume.

The largest mistake was taking the opertunity after 9/11 and squandering. Rather then bring the nation togeather and move forward united, he and his ilk played every petty, pointless, and dishonset trick they could not to truly lead but consolidate their own and their party's power.

It reflectes his shallow personality so well it almost hurts.

[Toe Jam]

I voted Katrina.

I understand the gravity of some of the other things that happened under the Bush administration. But I also know that any president probably would have struggled after 9/11.

Katrina had nothing to do with foreign policy and should have been handled much better. I won't go as far to say Bush doesn't care about black people but had it been Beverly Hills then 1,000+ people would not have died.

Do I think Bush himself did this on purpose? No. Bush isn't a horrible person. He just messed up in the one office that you can't afford to really make mistakes in.

[E-Dog Night]

You know stuff like gay marriage, etc.

You're saying that not only is that is a serious choice, but also worthy of equal consideration along with the deception regarding Iraq, the handling of Katrina, and the failure to formulate an effective economic policy?

[PeterMP]

You're saying that not only is that is a serious choice, but also worthy of equal consideration along with the deception regarding Iraq, the handling of Katrina, and the failure to formulate an effective economic policy?

I'm not saying anything. Just listing options. Obviously, some of the choices are pretty much contradictory and would be impossible for any person to believe being true.

Which is why I'm surprised that so many people have said all of the above.

[E-Dog Night]

I'm not saying anything. Just listing options. Obviously, some of the choices are pretty much contradictory and would be possible for any person to believe being true.

Which is why I'm surprised that so many people have said all of the above.

Fine, but I'm still curious as to how that even made your list. An American president obstructing the rights of a particular group to any extent cannot be judged as a successful course of action - unless, of course, the group is involved in illegal activities, or other, genuinely subversive activities against the United States.

And as much as some people would like for homosexuality to be illegal, it isn't. Making laws which prevent gay marriage won't stop people from being gay, either.

Gay people are typically law-abiding, tax-paying, productive members of society, so failure to "limit the expansion of the homosexual agenda" hardly strikes me as a failure at all, much less something that belongs in the same discussion as "turning a budget surplus into the largest deficit in US history", an item which, inconceivably, was left off your list.

*** EDIT *** I suppose the deficit falls under the umbrella of the overall economic failure of the Bush administration, so I rescind that last part.

[PeterMP]

Fine, but I'm still curious as to how that even made your list. An American president obstructing the rights of a particular group to any extent cannot be judged as a successful course of action - unless, of course, the group is involved in illegal activities, or other, genuinely subversive activities against the United States.

And as much as some people would like for homosexuality to be illegal, it isn't. Making laws which prevent gay marriage won't stop people from being gay, either.

Gay people are typically law-abiding, tax-paying, productive members of society, so failure to "limit the expansion of the homosexual agenda" hardly strikes me as a failure at all, much less something that belongs in the same discussion as "turning a budget surplus into the largest deficit in US history", an item which, inconceivably, was left off your list.

*** EDIT *** I suppose the deficit falls under the umbrella of the overall economic failure of the Bush administration, so I rescind that last part.

I don't understand your post.

On one hand, you admit that some people would like homosexuality to be illegal, and on the other hand, claim you don't understand how "allowing" things like gay marriage to become legal couldn't be construed as a failure by some?

If somebody thinks homosexuality should be illegal then wouldn't the expansion of the homosexual agenda and not doing things like passing an ammendment banning gay marriage be a failure (which is something that Bush supported)?

In all honesty, it was a list given to me from somebody else. I added the last two options, but with that said, I still don't understand your point.

Did he fail at it? Yes.
Would I consider it as his biggest failure? No.
Do I think that he failed at is even bad? No.
Could I see people out there considering it to be a major and bad failure? Yes.

[Mass_SkinsFan]

Personally, I think it can be summed up in one option that ISN'T on the list..... The lack of ability to promote and implement a truly Conservative economic and social policy.

That is shown by a number of the things you've included in your list (the abortion issue, the economic crisis, failing to decrease taxes more, etc....) and some that aren't there (inability to truly DESTROY terrorism, inability to pull us out of NATO/UN, lack of protections for gun owners, etc....).

[JohnLockesGhost]

Foreign policy.

He has squandered both our wealth and our good name.

[StillUnknown]

i voted Katrina

[BigMike619]

I put none of the above.

I think his biggest failure was public speaking. he was never able to communicate what he was thinking well and therefore I feel a lot of people looked at him like he either didnt know or was just an idiot.

[dcnativenerd]

I'd say picking out a terrible cabinet and aimlessly following them wherever they went. Rummy and Cheney, especially. Without them, I think we would have seen a more successful presidency, sans the Iraq War.

[Burgold]

I'd say picking out a terrible cabinet and aimlessly following them wherever they went. Rummy and Cheney, especially. Without them, I think we would have seen a more successful presidency, sans the Iraq War.

That was my first thought too. On second thought, I think that Bush's biggest failure was in agreeing to take the job in the first place. If he had only said, "Never mind." and walked away think how much better the world would be today.

[Toe Jam]

I put none of the above.

I think his biggest failure was public speaking. he was never able to communicate what he was thinking well and therefore I feel a lot of people looked at him like he either didnt know or was just an idiot.

"I believe that people and fish can co-exist".

:silly:

[Mass_SkinsFan]

If he had only said, "Never mind." and walked away think how much better the world would be today.

I'm not so sure I agree with THAT sentiment, Burgold. I'm no great proponent of Mr. Bush's policies in large measure but I truly shudder to think where we might be if Mr. Gore had been the President on September 11, 2001. Not that I LOVE where Mr. Bush took us in the aftermath of that horrible event; but I find it hard to believe that Mr. Gore would have done even the few correct things that Mr. Bush has done relative to the WoT and similar issues.

[BigMike619]

"I believe that people and fish can co-exist".

:silly:

And they have no disregard for human life." --George W. Bush, on the brutality of Afghan fighters, Washington, D.C., July 15, 2008

One of the things important about history is to remember the true history." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., June 6, 2008

"Thank you, your Holiness. Awesome speech." --George W. Bush, to Pope Benedict, Washington, D.C., April 15, 2008

Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008

and dont forget OBGYNs not being able to "practice their love for women".

______________________________________

The man just cant speak in public without messing up. I have heard though that he is very well spoken and never stumbles when it is just him and people he is close to that it is the cameras and pressure that cause him such great pain.

[Burgold]

I'm not so sure I agree with THAT sentiment, Burgold. I'm no great proponent of Mr. Bush's policies in large measure but I truly shudder to think where we might be if Mr. Gore had been the President on September 11, 2001. Not that I LOVE where Mr. Bush took us in the aftermath of that horrible event; but I find it hard to believe that Mr. Gore would have done even the few correct things that Mr. Bush has done relative to the WoT and similar issues.

Not to derail too much, but I firmly believe that Gore would have taken us into Afghanistan. I don't believe we'd have ever gone into Iraq. North Korea would probably be playing the same games it is today and so would Iran. Given our success in Afghanistan, I think Iran would have been more cautious though in its overt supply of Palestinians and other terrorist support.

Our standing in the world would have been higher. Our deficit would have been about 1/2 of where it stands today and we would have made significant progress on alternative fuels and environmental issues.

On the other hand, Gore would have been a one termer and it is likely that Bush would have won in 2004 because the country would have been dissatisfied and bored with 12 years of Clinton/Bush.

[dcnativenerd]

That was my first thought too. On second thought, I think that Bush's biggest failure was in agreeing to take the job in the first place. If he had only said, "Never mind." and walked away think how much better the world would be today.
My thoughts exactly, Burgold. I don't think Bush is this big, bad boogey man that everyone makes him out to be. I think he was just a guy who was in way over his head. He wasn't fit for the job and he called on bad help to lead him along. If he just said "no thanks" and let McCain run in 2000, I think we would have seen better results. Unfortunately, he got the nomination and the rest is history.

[Hooper]

Choosing loyalty over competence to an extreme degree. It really hurt the party and the country.

[dcnativenerd]

I'm just not sure why more Republicans didn't pick McCain in 2000. Was he just not conservative enough for Republican voters then? He just seemed like the better choice.

[Burgold]

Bush swiftboated McCain in several very cruel ways. It was really pretty ugly. McCain would had large bipartisan support back then. I was hoping to be able to vote for him. I would have picked him easily over Gore.

[Prosperity]

damn that's a comprehensive list, I even forgot some of them

Iraq is #1 (the push to get into Iraq being primary, the incompetence showed by Paul Bremer and Rumsfeld secondary)
Cronyism is #2 (this includes Katrina) followed closely by
Erosion of Civil Rights #3 (I ****ing hate Gonzalez)

god damn what the hell did he do right? scare Libya?