With the opening of his presidential library in Dallas, the forty-third president is enjoying renewed popularity. How quickly America forgets.
The Washington Post treats readers to these adorable photographs of the dedication ceremony.
Ron Fournier writes at the National Journal that, gosh darn it President George W. Bush is just a really nice guy. At Real Clear Politics Keith Hennessey assures readers that Bush is pretty smart.
Even President Barack Obama, speaking dedication of the Bush library, praised his predecessor for the “compassion that he showed by leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria, helping to save millions of lives” and his efforts to “reform our schools in ways that help every child learn, not just some.”
All of this may well be true, but it in no way undermines the general sense that this country has had for the last five or so years that Bush was also just straight-up incompetent. His “efforts” and his personality may well be commendable, but this (via the National Memo) is the real legacy of the Bush administration:
As the nation reels from sequester cuts due to congressional inability to make tough decisions about the budget, the chief concerns of the American people are economic: “strengthening nation’s economy, improving job situation, reducing budget deficit.”
You know why we need to address those things? Check out the graph. It’s because George W.’s administration screwed them up. It’s pretty much all his fault.
