George W. Bush: Difference between revisions

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	{{Infobox President		{{Infobox President
	\|name = George ~~Walker~~ Bush		\|name = George Dubya Bush
	\|image = George-W-Bush.jpeg		\|image = George-W-Bush.jpeg
	\|order = 43rd ]		\|order = 43rd ]
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	\|signature = GeorgeWBush Signature.svg		\|signature = GeorgeWBush Signature.svg
	}}		}}
	'''George Walker Bush''' (born ] ]) is the 43rd and current ], ] on ], ] and re-elected in the ].		'''George Walker Bush''' (born ] ]) is the 43rd and current ], ] on ], ] and re-elected in the ]. He is unanimously and universally considered a majour douchebag. Fucking cunt.

	The ] has a significant history in ] and ]. Bush is the eldest son of the 41st U.S. President, ], grandson to ], the former ] from ], and older brother to ], former ]. George W. Bush became the 46th ] in January ], resigning in December ], after being elected president.		The ] has a significant history in ] and ]. Bush is the eldest son of the 41st U.S. President, ], grandson to ], the former ] from ], and older brother to ], former ]. George W. Bush became the 46th ] in January ], resigning in December ], after being elected president.

	Bush was first elected in ], becoming the fourth president in U.S. history to be elected without a ] of the popular vote after the ], ] and ]. The ] was one of the closest and the most controversial of presidential elections, not being decided until after a month of ballot recounts and court challenges in Florida ended with the ] reversing a Florida Supreme Court ruling and stopping the recounting of ballots.<ref>Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. 98 (2000)(http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-949.ZPC.html)</ref> Florida then certified Bush the winner in that State by a margin of 537 votes out of 6 million cast, thus giving him one ] vote more than the 270 necessary for election.<ref>{{cite web		Bush mofo was first elected in ], becoming the fourth president in U.S. history to steal a fucking election through his crony friends and be elected without a ] of the popular vote after the ], ] and ].
	\| url = http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/2000presgeresults.htm
	\| title = 2000 Official General Election Presidential Results
	\| accessdate = 2007-01-12
	\|date= December 2001
	\| publisher = Federal Election Commission
	}}</ref> Running as a self-described war president in the midst of the ],<ref name="War President">{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4179618/
	\| title = Transcript for Feb. 8th
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = MSNBC
	}}</ref> Bush won re-election in ]<ref></ref> after an ] against Senator ] in which President Bush's prosecution of the ] and the ] became central issues.{{cn}}

			He is a major asshole. If you see him, run! He might just declare war on you!
	Eight months into Bush's presidency in 2001, nineteen hijackers sponsored by ] carried out the ]. President Bush responded by declaring a global ], which would become one of the central issues of his presidency. In early ] he ordered the ] to overthrow the ] and attempt to destroy ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/20/gen.bush.transcript/
	\|year=September 20, 2001\|title=President Bush's address to joint session of Congress}}</ref> In ], Bush ordered the ], asserting that ] was in violation of ] regarding ] and had to be disarmed by force in order (1) to adequately protect the United States from what he asserted was "a continuing threat from Iraq", and (2) to take the "necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001."<ref>March 18, 2003 Presidential Letter to Congress; see also, {{cite web\| url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030205-1.html\| year=February 5, 2003\| title=U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Addresses the U.N. Security Council\|first=Colin\| last=Powell\| publisher=Whitehouse.gov\| accessdate=2006-05-25}}</ref> Following the overthrow of ]'s Iraq regime, Bush committed the U.S. to establishing ], starting with ] and Iraq.<ref>{{cite web\| url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031106-2.html\| year=November 6, 2003\| title=President discusses freedom in Iraq and Middle East}}</ref>

	President Bush's declaration and prosecution of the War on Terror as he defined it would become the most enduringly controversial aspect of his presidency, including issues surrounding the ], the ] and ] scandals, and related domestic controversies such as ] activities and the ]. After his re-election in 2004 in particular, Bush received increasingly heated criticism, even from former allies, on those issues as well as other domestic issues such as his first ever use of the veto power to veto federal funding of ], and the federal government's response to ]. According to polls of job ], his popularity reached record heights after the ], but later significantly declined, due to his perceived poor handling of the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/04/29/bush_polls/index.html\|year=April 29, 2005 \|title=Bush's sinking popularity (Salon)}}</ref> It was one of the major reasons for what Bush called the "thumpin'"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20061231-105156-9319r.htm\|date=January 1, 2007\|title=Who said what in 2006 (Washington Times)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	\|url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/061112/20barone.htm
	\|title=Post-Thumpin' Politics
	\|author=Michael Barone
	\|work=U. S. News and World Report
	\|date=November 12, 2006
	}}</ref> of the Republican Party in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.us.reuters.com/top/news/usnN07478317.html\|date=November 8, 2006\|title=Bush admits Republicans took a "thumping (Reuters)}}</ref>

	==Early life==
	{{main\|Early life of George W. Bush\|Professional life of George W. Bush}}
	]

	Born in ], ], Bush was the first child of ] and his wife ]. His ] ancestors emigrated from ] in the ] of ] in the seventeenth century. Bush's parents moved from ] to ] when he was two years old. He was raised in ] and ], with his four siblings, ], ], ], and ]. Another younger sister, ], died in 1953 at the age of three from ].<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.famoustexans.com/georgewbush.htm
	\| title = George Walker Bush
	\| accessdate = 2006-06-27
	\|date= ]
	\| work = Famous Texans
	\| publisher = famoustexans.com
	}}</ref> Bush's grandfather, ], was a ] from Connecticut, and his father served as U.S. President from 1989 to 1993.

	Bush attended ] in ] and, following in his father's footsteps, was accepted into ], where he received a ] degree in history in 1968. At the same time, he worked in various Republican campaigns, including his father's 1964 and 1970 Senate campaigns in Texas. As a college senior, Bush became a member of the secretive ] society. By his own characterization, Bush was an average student.<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Associated Press
	\|url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,25229,00.html
	\|title = Self-Deprecating Bush Talks to Yale Grads
	\|publisher = FOXNews.com
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-27
	}}</ref>

	In May 1968, at the height of the ongoing ], Bush was accepted into the Texas ]. After training, he was assigned to duty in Houston, flying ] ] out of ].<ref>{{cite news
	\|first = Byron
	\|last = York
	\|url = http://www.hillnews.com/york/090904.aspx
	\|title = Bush's National Guard Years
	\|publisher = The Hill
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-27
	}}</ref> Throughout his political career, Bush has been criticized over his induction and period of service. ] that Bush was favorably treated due to his father's political standing, and that he was irregular in attendance. Bush took a transfer to the ] Air National Guard in 1972 to work on a Republican senate campaign, and in 1974 he obtained permission to end his six-year service obligation six months early to attend ], receiving an ].<ref>{{cite news \|last=Brit Hume, Mara Liasson, Jeff Birnbaum, Charles Krauthammer \|title=The All-Star Panel Discusses John Kerry's Shifting Positions on Iraq War Spending \| work=Fox News Network (transcript) \|date=09-07-2004 \| language=English }}</ref>

	There are a number of ] and otherwise disorderly conduct by Bush from this time. Bush has admitted to drinking "too much" in those years and described this period of his life as his "nomadic" period of "irresponsible youth".<ref name="Life-changing">{{cite news
	\|first = Lois
	\|last = Romano
	\|coauthors = George Lardner Jr
	\|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/bush072599.htm
	\|title = Bush's Life-Changing Year
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-27
	}}</ref> On ], ], at the age of 30, Bush was arrested for ] of alcohol near his family's summer home in ], ]. He pleaded guilty, was fined $150, and had his ] suspended until 1978<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/bushdmv1.html
	\| title = 2000 Driving Record
	\| accessdate = 2006-08-09
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = Department of the Secretary of State of Maine
	}}</ref> in Maine.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,998465,00.html
	\| title = Fallout From A Midnight Ride
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-08
	\|date= ]
	\| work = Time Magazine
	}}</ref> Bush was able to keep his drunk driving arrest a secret throughout his years as governor of Texas.<ref name="CNNDUI">{{cite news
	\|author = Staff and wire reports
	\|url = http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/11/02/bush.dui
	\|title = Bush acknowledges 1976 DUI charge
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-27
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	\|url = http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/bushdui1.html
	\|title = The Smoking Gun: Archive
	\|publisher = thesmokinggun.com
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-27
	}}</ref>

	After obtaining an ] from ] (Bush is the only US President to serve holding a ] degree<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=3378
	\| title = GWB: HBS MBA
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-16
	\| work = The American Thinker
	\| publisher = www.americanthinker.com
	}}</ref>), Bush entered the ] in Texas. In 1977, he was introduced by friends to ], a schoolteacher and librarian. After three months of courting, they married and settled in ]. Bush's twin daughters, ] and ], were born in 1981. Bush also left his family's ] Church to join his wife's ] Church. During their time in Dallas, Bush and his family were members of the congregation of the Highland Park United Methodist Church, within the Dallas greater metropolitan area.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/etc/script.html
	\| title = The Jesus Factor
	\| accessdate = 2004-05-06
	\| work = WGBH
	\| publisher = PBS
	}}</ref>

	] with their daughters, ] and ], in 1990.]]

	In 1978, Bush ran for the ] from the ]. Facing ] of the ], Bush stressed his energy credentials and conservative values in the campaign. Hance, however, also held many conservative views, opposing ] and strict regulation; he portrayed Bush as being out of touch with rural Texans. Bush lost by 6,000 votes. Hance later became a Republican and donated money to Bush's campaign for ] in 1993.<ref name= NewsMine>{{cite news
	\|url = http://newsmine.org/archive/cabal-elite/w-administration/w-bush/bush-loses-congress-election-1978-texas.txt
	\|title = Bush Wasn't Always a Front-Runner
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-07-27
	}}</ref>

	Bush returned to the oil industry, becoming a senior partner or chief executive officer of several ventures, such as ]<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Stone \|first=Peter H. \| title=Big oil's White House pipelines \| journal=National Journal\|date=04-07-2001 \| issue=33 \|page=1042 \| language=English \| id=ISSN: 03604217 }}</ref> ('arbusto' means bush in Spanish), ], and, later, ] when it acquired Spectrum 7.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Carlisle, John K. \|title=George Soros's Plan to Defeat George Bush \| work=Human Events \|date=03-01-2004 \| language=English }}</ref> These ventures suffered from the general decline of oil prices in the 1980s that had affected the industry and the regional economy. Additionally, questions of possible ] involving Harken have arisen, but as President, Bush has refused to allow the SEC to release the full report. <ref>{{cite news \|url = http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0721-02.htm \|title = Files: Bush Knew Firm's Plight Before Stock Sale \|publisher = ] \|date= ] \|accessdate = 2007-01-02}}</ref>

	Around 1986, Bush quit drinking. He then began studying the ] and ], and participating in church and community study groups. Following a personal meeting and exchange with Reverend ], he became a ].<ref name="Life-changing"/>

	Bush moved with his family to ] in 1988, to work on his father's campaign for the U.S. presidency.<ref>{{cite book \|last=George W. Bush, Bill Adler \| title=The Quotable George W. Bush: A Portrait in His Own Words \|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing \|date=2004 \|id=ISBN 0-7407-4154-3 }}</ref> With colleagues ] and ], he helped to develop and coordinate a political strategy for courting conservative Christians and ] voters, who were seen as key to winning the nomination and the election.<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Duffy, Michael; Gibbs, Nancy \| title=The quiet dynasty \| journal=Time; Canadian edition \|date=08-07-2000 \| issue=156 \|page=34 \| language=English \| id=ISSN: 03158446 }}</ref>

	<!-- leaving para in as most of this is common knowledge but MUST be sourced soon or its functionally OR. Remove by Jan 20th 07 if unsourced still -->
	Returning to Texas, Bush purchased a share in the ] baseball franchise in April 1989, where he served as managing general partner of the Rangers for five years{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. He was active in the team's media relations and in securing the construction of a new stadium, which opened in 1994 as ]{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. Bush actively led the team's projects and regularly attended its games, often choosing to sit in the open stands with fans{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. Bush's role with the Rangers gave him prominent media exposure and attention, as well as garnering public, business and political support{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. The Rangers were mostly successful while Bush was a leader of the organization{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. During his tenure, the Rangers acquired Hall-of-Fame pitcher ], who was popular with the fans during the last years of his career{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. The team nearly won its first division title in 1994, before a strike shortened the season{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. In 1989, Bush presided during the trade of the eventually famous ] to the ] ]{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}. The eventual sale of Bush's share in the Texas Rangers brought him over $15 million from his initial $800,000 investment.{{Fact\|date=January 2007}}

	George W. Bush is the first president to have run a marathon. Before running for governor of Texas he completed the 1993 Houston Marathon in 3:44:52 for a pace of about 8:36/mile. He had been running since he was 26, and before taking office, ran 15 to 30 miles a week.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.runnersworld.com/footnotes/gwbush/20questions.html
	\| title = 20 Questions for President George W. Bush
	\| accessdate = 2006-08-15
	\| work = Runners World
	\| publisher = runnersworld.com
	}}</ref>

	He is often referred to by the ] "Dubya", playing on a stereotyped and generalized ] of the letter W.

	==Elected positions==
	===Governor of Texas===
	{{Infobox_Governor
	\|name= George W. Bush
	\|image=
	\|order=<sup>47th</sup>
	\|office= Governor of Texas
	\|term_start=], ]
	\|term_end=], ]
	\|lieutenant= ], ]
	\|predecessor= ]
	\|successor= ]
	\|birth_date= ], ]
	\|birth_place= ]
	\|death_date=
	\|death_place=
	\|spouse=]
	\|profession=businessman, politician
	\|party= ]
	\|footnotes=
	}}

	With his father's election in 1988, speculation had arisen amongst Republicans that Bush would enter the 1990 ] election, but this was offset by Bush's purchase of the Rangers baseball team and personal concerns regarding his own record and profile. Following his success as owner and manager of the Rangers, Bush declared his candidacy for the 1994 election, even as his brother Jeb first sought the governorship of Florida. Winning the Republican primary easily, Bush faced incumbent Governor ], a popular Democrat who was considered the easy favorite, given Bush's lack of political credentials.

	Bush was aided in his campaign by a close coterie of political advisors that included ], a former journalist who was his communications advisor; ], who became his campaign manager, and ], a personal friend and political activist who is believed to have been a strong influence in encouraging Bush to enter the election. Bush's aides crafted a campaign strategy that attacked Governor Richards' record on law enforcement, her political appointments, and her support of liberal political causes. Bush developed a positive image and message with themes of "personal responsibility" and "moral leadership". His campaign focused on issues such as education (seeking more accountability for schools over student performance), crime, deregulation of the economy, and ]. The Bush campaign was criticized for allegedly using controversial methods to disparage Richards. Following an impressive performance in the debates, however, Bush's popularity grew. He won with 52 percent against Richards' 47 percent.<ref>{{cite book
	\| last = Wayne Slater
	\| first = James Moore
	\| year = 2003
	\| title = Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential
	\| publisher = Wiley
	\| location = USA
	\| ISBN = 0-471-42327-0
	\| pages = 210
	}}</ref>

	As governor, Bush successfully sponsored legislation for tort reform, increased education funding, set higher standards for schools, and reformed the ] system. Under his leadership, Texas executed 152 prisoners, more than under any other governor in modern American history; critics such as ] argue that he failed to give serious consideration to clemency requests.<ref name="executions">{{cite web\|url=http://www.nybooks.com/articles/17670\|title=The New York Review of Books: Death in Texas}}</ref> School finance was considered a sensitive issue at the time by politicians and the press. The state financed its school system through property taxes. Seeking to reduce the high rates to benefit homeowners while increasing general education funding, Bush sought to create business taxes, but faced vigorous opposition from his own party and the private sector. Failing to obtain political consensus for his proposal, Bush used a budget surplus to push through a $2 billion tax-cut plan, which was the largest in Texas history and cemented Bush's credentials as a pro-business fiscal conservative.<ref>{{cite book
	\| last = Wayne Slater
	\| first = James Moore
	\| year = 2003
	\| title = Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential
	\| publisher = Wiley
	\| location = USA
	\| ISBN = 0-471-42327-0
	\| pages = 233-36
	}}</ref>

	Bush also pioneered ] by extending government funding and support for religious organizations providing social services such as education, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and reduction of domestic violence. Governor Bush signed a memorandum on ], ] proclaiming ] to be ] in ], a day where he "urge all Texans to answer the call to serve those in need."<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/art/pop_jesusday.jpg
	\| title = Jesus Day
	\| accessdate = 2006-06-30
	\| author = Texas State
	\|date= ]
	\| format = JPEG
	\| work = Texas State Archives
	\| publisher = PBS
	}}</ref> Although Bush was criticized for violating the constitutional ] ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."), his initiative was popular with most people across the state, especially religious and social conservatives.

	In 1998, Bush won re-election in a ] with nearly 69 percent of the vote, becoming the first Texas governor to be elected for two consecutive four-year terms (before 1975, the gubernatorial term of office was two years).<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Associated Press
	\|url = http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/11/03/election/governors/texas
	\|title = Texas Gov. George W. Bush wins in landslide
	\|publisher = CNN
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref>

	===2000 Presidential candidacy===
	{{main\|United States presidential election, 2000}}
	] greets President-elect Bush at the White House in late December of 2000.]]

	During the election cycle, Bush labeled himself a "]," a term popularized by ] professor ], and his ] promised to "restore honor and dignity to the ]".

	====Primary====
	Bush's campaign was managed by Rove, Hughes and Albaugh, as well as by other political associates from Texas. He was endorsed by a majority of Republicans in 38 state legislatures. After winning the ], Bush was handed a surprising defeat by U.S. Senator ] of ] in the ]. During his campaign, Bush was criticized for visiting the controversial ], which bore a reputation for a ] and a ban on ].<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = ]
	\|url = http://www.commondreams.org/views/020900-101.htm
	\|title = At Bob Jones U., A Disturbing Lesson About The Real George W.
	\|publisher = Common Dreams Newscenter
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref> Bush then won the ] primary, severely crippling the momentum McCain had picked up with his win in New Hampshire. McCain countered by winning in Michigan. McCain criticized ] and ] just before the Virginia primary, stirring the ire of religious conservatives. Bush went on to win the Virginia Primary and then, a week later, he captured nine of thirteen ] state primaries, effectively clinching the Republican nomination. He chose ], a former ] and ], as his ]. His campaign was endorsed by prominent Republicans such as ] and ], who assumed roles as advisers on issues of national security and foreign relations. While stressing his successful record as governor of Texas, Bush's campaign attacked the Democratic nominee, incumbent Vice President ], over ] and taxation. Bush criticized the ] (although in 1998 the Senate vote to participate in the treaty was 0 for and 95 against), championed by Gore, citing the decline of the industries in the ] states, such as ], and resulting economic hardships.

	In the televised Republican presidential debate held in ] on ] ], all of the participating candidates were asked "What political ] or thinker do you most identify with and why?" Unlike the other candidates, who cited former Presidents and other political figures, Bush responded, "], because he changed my heart". Bush's appeal to religious values is believed to have aided his election. In a ] ] those who said they "attend church weekly" gave him 56% of their vote in 2000 (and 63% of their vote in 2004).<ref>{{cite news
	\|title = How Americans Voted
	\|publisher = The Gallup Organization
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}The Gallup Organization, "How Americans Voted," 5 November 2004</ref>

	====General election====
	On election day, ], ], Bush won key midwestern states such as ], ], and ]. He also clinched Gore's home state of ], ], and the erstwhile Democratic bastion of ]. Television networks initially called the state of ] for Gore, then withdrew that projection and later called the state, along with the entire election, for Bush. Finally, it was declared that the results were too close to call. Sometime after the networks reported that Bush had won Florida, Gore conceded the election, and then rescinded that concession less than one hour later. The vote count, which favored Bush in preliminary tallies, was contested over allegations of irregularities in the voting and tabulation processes. Because of Florida state law, a state-wide machine recount was ordered. Although it narrowed the gap, the recount still left Bush in the lead. Eventually, four counties in Florida which had large numbers of presidential undervotes began a manual hand recount of ballots. On ], the ] ruled that every county with a large number of undervotes would perform a hand recount. On ], in the '']'' case, the ] stopped the statewide hand recount. The machine recount showed that Bush had won the Florida vote - making it the 30th of the 50 states he carried. There has been much controversy over the legality of the election, in fact it is still disputed today.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/2000presgeresults.htm
	\| title = 2000 OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS
	\| accessdate = 2006-06-30
	\| author = State Elections Offices
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = Public Disclosure Division, Federal Election Commission
	}}</ref> Despite having lost the nationwide popular contest by more than half a million votes,<ref></ref> he won 271 ] to Gore's 266. This made him the first President elected without having a plurality of the popular vote since ] in 1888.<ref></ref>

	====Cabinet appointments====
	{{Unreferencedsect\|date=January 2007}}
	President George W. Bush was regarded by his political opponents and many in the media as lacking a popular mandate, having lost the popular vote. Upon assuming office, Bush appointed ] as his ], ] as his political advisor and ] as White House communications director. He appointed ] as ], ] as ], and ] as the ].

	His appointment of former Senator ] as ] was intensely criticized by Democrats because of Ashcroft's opposition of ] and support for social and religious conservative causes concerning ] and ]. Despite this, Ashcroft was confirmed, and Bush was lauded by conservatives.

	===2004 Presidential candidacy===
	]
	{{main\|United States presidential election, 2004}}
	Bush commanded broad support in the Republican Party and did not encounter a primary challenge. He appointed ] as campaign manager, and the campaign political strategy was devised by Karl Rove.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec04/rove_9-01.html
	\| title = An Interview With Karl Rove
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\|date= ]
	\| work = NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
	\| publisher = PBS
	}}</ref> Bush outlined a 2004 agenda that included a strong commitment in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a renewal of the ], making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent, cutting the budget deficit in half, promoting education, tort reform, Social Security and national tax reform. Bush emphasized his ] by arguing for the Federal Marriage Amendment. In most of his speeches, Bush also stressed a vision and commitment for spreading ] and democracy across the world.

	Having had great success at fundraising, the campaign began running television and radio advertisement campaigns across the nation against Democratic candidates, including Bush's emerging opponent, ] Senator ]. Kerry and other Democrats attacked Bush on the conduct of the war in Iraq, perceived excesses of the USA PATRIOT Act and for allegedly failing to stimulate the economy and job growth, as well as controversies surrounding Bush's service in the National Guard. Bush emphasized his leadership in war and national security challenges, evoking the patriotism and passion aroused by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Bush campaign portrayed Kerry as a staunch ] who would raise taxes, increase the size of government, and fail to oppose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The Bush campaign continuously criticized Kerry's allegedly contradictory statements on the war in Iraq, and claimed Kerry lacked the decisiveness and vision necessary for success in the war on terrorism. Popular politicians such as Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, ], and ] ] campaigned actively for Bush, who traveled across the country delivering speeches at three to four different locations on most days. The campaign organized a large group of volunteers and focused its efforts on ]s such as ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Bush carried 31 of 50 states for a total of 286 ] votes.

	In his 2004 victory, Bush was the first presidential candidate to win a majority of the popular vote since his father did so 16 years earlier.<ref name="16 years">{{cite web\| url = http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/11/3/22753.shtml\| title = Bush First President in 16 Years to Win Popular Majority\| accessdate = 2006-10-01\|date= ]\| publisher = NewsMax.com}}</ref> In the three previous elections, strong showings by third-party candidates had prevented the candidates who the the popular vote, ] in 1992 and 1996, and ] in 2000, from winning a popular vote majority, rather than a plurality. <ref>{{cite news \| title = The Popular Vote \| url = http://www.nysun.com/article/4180 \| format = Editorial \| publisher = New York Sun \|date= November 3, 2004 \| accessdate = December 31, 2006}}</ref>

	====Inauguration====
	], ] by ] ], watched on by ] Laura Bush and their daughters Barbara and Jenna Bush, as well as Senate Majority Leader ] and Speaker of the House ].]]
	Bush won ] after an intense and heated election campaign, becoming the first candidate to win a majority vote in 16 years.<ref name="16 years">{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/11/3/22753.shtml
	\| title = Bush First President in 16 Years to Win Popular Majority
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-01
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = NewsMax.com
	}}</ref>
	Bush was ] for his second term on ], ]. The ] was administered by ] ]. Bush's inaugural address centered mainly on a theme of spreading freedom and democracy around the world:

	''We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: the survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world... The great objective of ending tyranny is the concentrated work of generations. The difficulty of the task is no excuse for avoiding it... From the viewpoint of centuries, the questions that come to us are narrowed and few. Did our generation advance the cause of freedom? And did our character bring credit to that cause?''

	====Cabinet====
	For his second term, Bush assembled what is regarded as one of the most diverse U.S. cabinets in history, with the appointments of the first Hispanic American U.S. ] and ], as well as making ] the first ] woman to head the U.S. State Department. Bush retained Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, whose dismissal had been demanded by many in the U.S. Congress.

	In August 2005, with his nomination of the controversial ] as ] filibustered by ], Bush took the rarely-used expedient of installing him via a ]. ] ] criticized this action as an abuse of Presidential power.<ref>, ''The Washington Post''</ref>

	In 2006, Bush replaced long-time chief of staff ] with ] and undertook major staff and cabinet changes with the stated intention of revitalizing his Administration.

	The day after the midterm elections, on November 8, 2006, Bush announced plans to replace Secretary of Defense ] with former CIA Director ]. Gates was confirmed by the Senate on ] and took office as the 22nd ] on ].

	==Presidency==
	{{main\|George W. Bush's first term as President of the United States\|George W. Bush's second term as President of the United States}}

	===Domestic policy===
	{{main\|Domestic policy of the George W. Bush administration}}

	====Education====
	] into law.]]
	Bush's domestic agenda carried forward themes of increased responsibility for performance from his days as Texas governor, and he worked hard to lobby the adoption of the ], with Democratic Senator ] as chief sponsor. The legislation aims to close the achievement gap, measures ] performance, provides options to parents with students in low-performing schools, and targets more federal funding to low-income ]. NCLBA has been a source of ongoing controversy. Critics argue that Bush has underfunded his own program, and Kennedy himself has claimed: "The tragedy is that these long overdue reforms are finally in place, but the funds are not."<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = W. James Antle III
	\|url = http://www.amconmag.com/2005_08_01/article.html
	\|title = Leaving No Child Left Behind
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-10-11
	}}</ref> Many educational experts are critical of the reforms in question, claiming that NCLB allows some students to flee failing public schools instead of improving those schools.<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Harvard Graduate School of Education
	\|url = http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/features/pierce07012002.html
	\|title = No Child Left Behind?
	\|publisher = HGSE News
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-10-11
	}}</ref> Others contend that NCLBA's focus on "high stakes testing" and quantitative outcomes is counterproductive.<ref> ''Raising Standards or Raising Barriers?'' Edited by Gary Orfield and Mindy L. Kornhaber. The Century Foundation Press. May 1, 2001</ref> Bush increased funding for the ] and ] in his first years of office, and created education programs to strengthen the grounding in science and mathematics for American high school students. However, funding for NIH failed to keep up with inflation in 2004 and 2005, and was actually cut in 2006, the first such cut in 36 years.<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Committee on Appropriations – Democratic Staff
	\|url = http://www.house.gov/appropriations_democrats/pdf/2006-7-26-NIH-paper.pdf#search=%22bush%20nih%20funding%22
	\|title = President Bush and House Republicans Undermine Life Saving Health Research
	\|publisher = U.S. House of Representatives
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-10-11
	}}</ref>

	Bush appointed First Lady Laura Bush to oversee an initiative to improve opportunities and education for inner-city boys.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4492617
	\| title = Laura Bush: Putting Boys in the Spotlight
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| last = Norris
	\| first = Michele
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = NPR
	}}</ref>

	====Social services and Social Security====
	Bush promoted increased de-regulation and investment options in social services, leading Republican efforts to pass the ], which added prescription drug coverage to Medicare and created ], which would permit people to set aside a portion of their Medicare tax to build a "nest egg". The elderly group, ] worked with the Bush Administration on the program and gave their endorsement. Bush said the law, estimated to cost US$400 billion over the first 10 years, would give the elderly "better choices and more control over their health care".<ref>{{cite news
	\|url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031208-2.html
	\|title = President Signs Medicare Legislation
	\|publisher = The White House
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref>

	President Bush began his second term by outlining a major initiative to reform Social Security, which was facing record deficit projections beginning in 2005. Bush made it the centerpiece of his agenda despite contrary beliefs in the media and in the U.S. Congress, which saw the program as the "]," with the American public being suspicious of any attempt to change it. It was also widely believed to be the province of the Democratic Party, with Republicans in the past having been accused of efforts to dismantle or privatize it. In his 2005 State of the Union Address, Bush discussed the allegedly impending bankruptcy of the program and attacked political inertia against reform. He proposed options to permit Americans to divert a portion of their Social Security tax (FICA) into secured investments, creating a "nest egg" that he claimed would enjoy steady growth. Despite emphasizing safeguards and remaining open to other plans, Bush's proposal was criticized for its high cost, and Democrats attacked it as an effort to partially privatize the system, and for leaving Americans open to the whims of the market. Bush embarked on a 60-day national tour, campaigning vigorously for his initiative in media events ("Conversations on Social Security") in a largely unsuccessful attempt to gain support from the general public.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28120-2005Mar11.html
	\| title = Social Security: On With the Show
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| author = Jim VandeHei and Peter Baker
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = The Washington Post
	}}</ref> According to at least one poll, Bush failed to convince the public that the Social Security program was in crisis.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/polls/tables/live/2005-02-07-poll-results.htm#socsec
	\| title = USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll results
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = USA Today
	}}</ref>

	====Stem cell research and first use of veto power====
	Starting in 1995 after the Republican Party gained control of both houses of Congress, federal funding for medical research involving the creation or destruction of human embryos through the ] and the ] was fobidden by passage of the ], named for Congressman ] (R-AR) who introduced the amendment, a rider attached to the the relevant agency appropriation bills that would be signed by President ] and President Bush for the next several years.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/stemcells/index.shtml
	\| title = AAAS Policy Brief: Stem Cell Research
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| publisher = American Association for the Advancement of Science
	}}</ref> Bush had asserted that he supported limited stem cell research, but only to the extent that human embryos are not destroyed in order to harvest additional stem cells.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html
	\| title = President Discusses Stem Cell Research
	\| publisher = Office of the President of the United States
	}}</ref> On ], ], Bush signed an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for the 71<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/NIHFedPolicy.asp
	\| title = NIH's Role in Federal Policy
	\| publisher = National Institutes of Health
	}}</ref> existing "lines" of stem cells. However, the ability of these existing lines to provide an adequate medium for testing has been questioned, as testing can only be done on 12 of the original lines and there are fears that these lines are corrupted.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,472876,00.html
	\| title = Stem Cells in Limbo
	\| publisher = TIME
	\| date = 2003-08-11
	\| accessdate = 2007-01-13
	}}</ref>

	On July 19, 2006, President Bush used his ] power for the first time in his presidency to veto the ] (H.R.810), a bill that would have reversed the ], permitting federal money to be used for research where stem cells are derived from the destruction of an embryo.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/19/stemcells.veto/
	\| title = Bush Vetoes Embryonic Stem Cell Bill
	\| publisher = CNN
	}}</ref>

	===Immigration===
	In 2006, Bush somewhat shifted focus to re-emphasize immediate and comprehensive immigration reform. Going beyond calls from Republicans and conservatives to secure the border, Bush demanded that Congress create a "temporary guest-worker program" to allow more than 12 million ] to obtain legal status. Bush continues to argue that the lack of legal status denies the protections of U.S. laws to millions of people who face dangers of poverty and exploitation, and penalizes employers despite a demand for immigrant labor. On ], ], Bush proposed expanding "Basic Pilot," an online system to allow employers to easily confirm the eligibility of new hires; creating a new identification card for all foreign workers; and increasing penalties for businesses that violate immigration laws. Bush urged Congress to provide additional funding for border security, and committed to deploying 6,000 ] troops to the ].<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/29/bush.immigration/
	\| title = Bush takes tough talk on immigration to Texas
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| author = CNN
	\|date= ]
	}}</ref>

	===Justice===
	On ], ], a U.S. district court judge in ] ruled that warrantless and otherwise congressionally unauthorized eavesdropping on telephone calls under the Terrorist Surveillance Program were unconstitutional. The judge agreed to place her ruling on hold pending an appeal. <ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/01/AR2006090101410.html
	\| title = Judge Asked to Suspend Ruling Against Wiretaps
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-21
	\|date= ]
	\| work = The Washington Post
	}}</ref>

	On ], ], Congress approved a bill that made the detainee ] program legal.<ref name="detainee">{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-09-28-congress-terrorism_x.htm
	\| title = Bush's detainee interrogation and prosecution plan approved by Senate
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-29
	\| author = The Associated Press
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = USA Today
	}}</ref> The bill was in response to the Supreme Court's decision in June that the program is illegal.<ref name="detainee"/> It was the second time Bush tried to approve it through Congress.<ref name="detainee"/> Bush signed the bill into law on ], ] as the ].

	===Hurricane Katrina===
	{{main\|Political effects of Hurricane Katrina}}
	One of the worst natural disasters in the nation’s history, ], struck early in Bush’s second term. Katrina was the sixth-strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the third-strongest landfalling U.S. hurricane on record. Katrina formed in late August during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and devastated much of the north-central ] of the United States, particularly ].<ref> Knabb, Richard D; Rhome, Jamie R.; Brown, Daniel P (December 20, 2005). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Katrina: 23-30 August 2005 (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2006-05-30.</ref>

	President Bush declared a state of emergency in Louisiana on August 27,<ref> on August 27, ], ], ]</ref> and in Mississippi<ref>, ], ], ]</ref> and Alabama<ref>, ], ], ]</ref> on August 28; he authorized DHS and FEMA to manage the disaster, but his announcement failed to spur these agencies to action.<ref name=dyson>{{cite book
	\| last = Dyson
	\| first = Michael Eric
	\| authorlink = Michael Eric Dyson
	\| title = Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster
	\| publisher = Basic Civitas
	\| year = 2006
	\| page = 57
	\| isbn = 0-465-01761-4
	}}</ref> The eye of the hurricane made landfall on August 29, and New Orleans started to flood due to the levee breaches; later that day, Bush declared that a major disaster existed in Louisiana,<ref></ref> officially authorizing ] to start using federal funds to help with the recovery effort. On August 30, Department of Homeland Security secretary ] declared it "an incident of national significance," <ref></ref> triggering the first use of the newly created ]. Several days later, on September 2, National Guard troops first entered the city of New Orleans.<ref name = "tpm"></ref> The same day, President Bush toured parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and declared that the success of the recovery effort up to that point was "not enough."<ref name=USAToday-Katrina>{{cite web
	\| title = National Guard descends on New Orleans, giving evacuees hope
	\| author = Associated Press
	\| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-09-02-katrina_x.htm
	\| publisher = USA Today
	\|date= ], ]
	\| accessdate = 2007-01-09
	}}</ref> Due to mounting criticism as the disaster in New Orleans intensified during the days of inaction, President Bush claimed full responsibility for the failures on the part of the federal government in its response to the hurricane.<ref name = "tpm"/>

	Both local and federal governments were vehemently criticized for their response to Katrina, which was considered insufficient and disorganized. Criticisms of Bush focused on three main issues. First, leaders from both parties attacked the president for having appointed incompetent leaders to positions of power at FEMA, most notably ].<ref>, ], ], ]</ref> Second, many people argued that the inadequacy of the federal response was the result of the ] and the demands it placed on the armed forces and the federal budget.<ref name="ArmyTimesDeployment">{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1066780.php
	\| title = Overseas deployments hinder Guard hurricane presence
	\| accessdate = 2005-09-29
	\| author = Pete Yost, AP
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = ArmyTimes.com
	}}</ref> Third, in the days immediately following the disaster, President Bush denied having received warnings about the possibility of floodwaters breaching the levees protecting New Orleans.<ref>"I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees." George W. Bush to Diane Sawyer, ''Good Morning America'', Sept. 1, 2005.</ref> However, the presidential videoconference briefing of Aug. 28 shows ] warning the President that overflowing the levees was "obviously a very, very grave concern."<ref></ref> Critics claimed that the President was misrepresenting his administration's role in what they saw as a flawed response.

	===Economic policy===
	Facing opposition in Congress, Bush held town hall-style public meetings across the nation in ] to increase public support for his plan for a $1.3 trillion tax cut. Bush and his economic advisers argued that unspent government funds should be returned to taxpayers. With reports of the threat of recession from Federal Reserve Chairman ], Bush argued that such a tax cut would stimulate the economy and create jobs. In the end, five Senate Democrats crossed party lines to join Republicans in approving Bush's $1.35 trillion<ref>{{cite news
	\|first = Kelly
	\|last = Wallace
	\|url = http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/06/07/bush.taxes
	\|title = $1.35 trillion tax cut becomes law
	\|publisher = ] InsidePolitics archives
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref> tax cut program — one of the largest in U.S. history.

	During his first term, Bush sought and obtained Congressional approval for two additional tax cuts: the ] and the ]. These acts increased the ] and eliminated the so-called "marriage penalty." Arguably, cuts were distributed disproportionately to higher income taxpayers through a decrease in ], but the change in marginal rates was greater for those of lower income, resulting in an income tax structure that was more progressive overall. Complexity was increased with new categories of income taxed at different rates and new deductions and credits, however; at the same time, the number of individuals subject to the ] increased since it had remained unchanged.

	Under the Bush Administration, ] peaked at a high of 6.2% in June 2003, and is currently at a low of 4.4%. The economy has remained strong, with ] setting several record highs and the ] experiencing healthy growth . Critics argue that the economy, however strong, is only benefiting the wealthy, and not the majority of middle and lower-class citizens.

	The effect of Bush's tax cuts on the upper, middle and lower class is contentious, with some observers arguing that the cuts have benefited the nation's most wealthy households at the expense of the middle and lower class,<ref>{{cite web
	\|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/08/washington/08tax.html?ei=5088&en=e1dc830d58c7eacb&ex=1325912400&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1168290792-GR0HodSCCzDHPWdgiU8nlg
	\|title = Tax Cuts Offer Most for Very Rich, Study Says
	\|publisher = The New York Times
	\|date = 2007-01-08
	\|accessdate = 2007-01-14
	}}</ref> while others have claimed the exact opposite.<ref>{{cite web
	\|url = http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20070113-103432-9181r.htm
	\|title = Tax cuts and the rich
	\|publisher = The Washington Times
	\|date = 2007-01-14
	\|accessdate = 2007-01-14
	}}</ref>

	===September 11, 2001===
	Nine months into George W. Bush's presidency, nineteen hijackers (fifteen from ], two from the ] and one each from ] and ]) sponsored by the ] group headed by ] carried out terrorist attacks in which they commandeered commercial aircraft, flying two into the two ] Towers in ], one into the ], and one, apparently headed toward Washington, D.C., into a field in ], after passengers forced that plane's crash-landing. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in what became known as the ], most in the collapse of the two World Trade Center towers.
	] while looking out a window of ], ].]]

	The ] were a major turning point in Bush's presidency. At the time of the attacks, President Bush was visiting an ] in Florida when Chief of Staff ] informed him that a plane had crashed into the ] in ]. After being informed that the second tower had also been hit, Bush remained in the classroom for several minutes until the children finished reading ] before flying to air bases in ] and ] before returning to ] in the late afternoon. Later, critics would see this delay as an indicator of his indecisiveness while supporters would see it as his ability to inject calm into frightening circumstances.

	That evening, he addressed the nation from the ], promising a strong response to the attacks but emphasizing the need for the nation to come together and comfort the families of the victims. On ], he visited the ], meeting with Mayor ] and firefighters, police officers and volunteers. In a moment captured by press and media, Bush addressed the gathering via megaphone from atop a heap of rubble:
	{{cquote\|I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.}}] in ], ], ].]]

	In a September 20, 2001 speech, President Bush condemned ] and ], and issued the ] regime in Afghanistan where bin Laden was known to be operating from an ultimatum to "hand over the terrorists, or ... share in their fate."<ref></ref> President Bush declared a global ], and after the Afghan Taliban regime was not forthcoming with ], he ordered the ] to overthrow the ] and destroy ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/20/gen.bush.transcript/
	\|year=September 20, 2001\|title=President Bush's address to joint session of Congress}}</ref>

	===Foreign policy===
	{{main\|Foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration}}
	The Bush Administration's foreign policy is largely seen as dominated by its declaration of a global "]" and the ]. The War on Terror, the wars in Afganistan and Iraq, and the Adminstration's dealings with North Korea are addressed invidually in subsections below. Other aspects of President Bush's foreign policy include the following.

	The Bush administration withdrew US support for several international agreements, including the ], the ], and the ] (ABM) with ]. It pursued a ] which was previously barred by the ABM treaty and was never ratified by Congress.<ref>{{cite news
	\|url = http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/abmt/news/010501bush.html
	\|title = President Bush Speech on Missile Defence
	\|publisher = Federation of American Scientists
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref> Bush also boldly expressed U.S. support for the defense of ] following the stand-off in March 2001 with the ] over the crash between an ] ], leading to the detention of U.S. personnel. In 2003-04, Bush authorized U.S. military intervention in ] and ] to restore order and oversee a transition to democracy.

	] ], and former ] ] meet at the Red Sea Summit in ], ] on ], ].]] Bush emphasized a "hands-off" approach to the conflict between ] and the ]s in wake of rising violence and the alleged failure of the Clinton Administration's efforts to negotiate. Bush denounced Palestinian leader ] for his support of the violence and militant groups. But prompted by European leaders, he became the first American President to embrace a two-state solution in which an independent Palestine would exist side-by-side with Israel. Bush sponsored dialogs between Prime Ministers ] and ] but continued his boycott of Arafat. Bush also supported Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and lauded the democratic elections held in Palestine following Arafat's death.

	] with George W. Bush inspects the ] Honor Guards during the latter's 8-hour ] to the ] in October 2003]]

	In his ] in January 2003, Bush outlined a five-year strategy for global emergency ] relief, the ]. Bush announced $15 billion for this effort—$3 billion per year for five years—but requested less in annual budgets, though some members of Congress added amendments to increase the requested amounts. The emergency relief effort is led by U.S. Ambassador ], former ] of ] and ] at the ]. At the time of the speech, $9 billion was earmarked for new programs in AIDS relief for the 15 countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, another $5 billion for continuing support of AIDS relief in 100 countries where the U.S. already had bilateral programs established, and an additional $1 billion towards the ]. Almost one quarter of the $15 billion went to religious groups that tend to emphasize sexual abstinence over ] use.<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Associated Press
	\|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/01/29/quarter-of-bushs-15-bil_n_14689.html
	\|title = Quarter Of Bush's $15 Billion For AIDS Going To Christian Groups
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref> This budget represented more money contributed to fight AIDS globally than all other donor countries combined.

	Bush condemned the ] by militia forces on the people of ], and denounced the killings in ] as ].<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Jim VandeHei
	\|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/01/AR2005060101725.html
	\|title = In Break With U.N., Bush Calls Sudan Killings Genocide
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-07-25
	}}</ref> Bush said that an international ] presence was critical in Darfur, but opposed referring the situation in Darfur to the ].

	] in the ] with British Prime Minister ] to attend a press conference in the ] in 2006 discussing the ].]]
	] and ]'s Prime Minister ] stand in front of "]" in ], ], ].]]
	Bush began his second term with an emphasis on improving strained relations with ]an nations. He appointed long-time advisor ] to oversee a global public relations campaign to improve the image of the U.S. and significantly increased development aid to countries with a focus on encouraging democracy and ]. Bush strongly lauded the pro-democracy struggles in ] and ] and the election of ] as president of the ]. He led international pressure against ] to withdraw troops from ]. In March 2006, Bush visited India, leading to renewed ties between the two countries, particularly in areas of nuclear energy and counterterrorism cooperation.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060302-5.html
	\| title = U.S.-India Joint Statement
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-28
	}}</ref>
	Bilateral relations between the U.S.A. on the one hand and Germany and Canada on the other also improved following the election of conservative governments in those countries. However, midway through Bush's second term, many analysts observed a retreat from his freedom and democracy agenda, highlighted in policy changes toward some oil-rich former Soviet republics in central Asia.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/23/AR2006042301017.html
	\| title = Retreat From the Freedom Agenda
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-14
	\| last = Diehl
	\| first = Jackson
	\|date= ]
	\| work = Washington Post
	}}</ref>

	] of ] and ] of ], both undemocratically elected and fiercely ], received official state visits to the White House,<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060428.html
	\| title = President Bush Welcomes President Aliyev of Azerbaijan to the White House
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-23
	\|date= ]
	\| work = Transcript from The Oval Office
	\| publisher = Office of the Press Secretary
	}}</ref> along with increased economic and military assistance.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/23/AR2006042301017.html
	\| title = Retreat From the Freedom Agenda
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-23
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = The Washington Post
	}}</ref> The President had encouraged both leaders to hold free and fair elections early on in his second term, but in fact neither leader carried out significant reforms.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/27/world/main1075785.shtml
	\| title = Azerbaijan Protests Face Crackdown
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-23
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = CBS News
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/08/235340A7-FE24-4C1F-97E5-CEC841B6A0CD.html
	\| title = Supporters Of Slain Kazakh Oppositionist Open Probe
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-23
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.perspicacityonline.com/Articles/2005/01/Kuzbekistan050118.htm
	\| title = Setback for Democracy in Kazakhstan
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-23
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = Perspicacity Press Online
	}}</ref> The democratic election of the Hamas organization in the parliamentary elections of the ], along with democratic gains in legislatures for the ] in ] and ] in ], all of whom are seen as terrorist organizations by the United States, also contributed to a far less aggressive approach to democratic reform world-wide from the Bush administration. Reports in late 2006 suggested that pro-democracy groups across the ] had become "pessimistic about the prospects for meaningful reform."<ref>{{cite web
	\| url =
	http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-10-12T173325Z_01_N12321486_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-DEMOCRACY.xml&WTmodLoc=Home-C2-TopNews-newsOne-5
	\| title = U.S. seen retreating from democracy push
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-12
	\| last = Morgan
	\| first = David
	\|date= 2006-10-12
	\| work = Reuters
	}}</ref>

	====War on Terror====
	After the ] on the United States by the ] organization of ] and the invasion of Afganistan in response, President Bush discussed a global ] in his January 29, 2002 ] address which is most remembered for his assertion of an "]", an alliance between terrorists and states like North Korea, Iran and Iraq, which alliance he said was "arming to threaten the peace of the world" and "pose a grave and growing danger".<ref>January 29, 2002 Presidential State of the Union Address(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020129-11.html)</ref>
	] look over the ] site during a visit to ] in ] to mark the fifth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.]] The Bush Administration proceeded to assert a right and intention to engage in ], also called ], in response to perceived threats, arguing that the prevailing "concept of imminent threat" as justification for the use of force under international law and prior United States foreign policy needed to be "adapt" due to the supposition that "rogue states" would "rely on terror, and potentially, weapons of mass destruction" to attack the United States.<ref>September 2002 National Security Strategy of the United States, Part V(http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss5.html)</ref> This would form a basis for what became known as the ]. President Bush's broader "War on Terror", allegations of an "axis of evil", and, in particular, the assertion of a broader right to engage in preemptive war, would begin to weaken or divide unprecedented levels of international and domestic support for President Bush and United States action against ] following the September 11 attacks,<ref>Polling Report.com(http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob1.htm)</ref> and such criticism and dissent would expand with the war in Iraq.<ref>See, e.g., Cummings, Bruce, et al., ''Inventing the Axis of Evil'', New Press, 2006, ISBN-10: 1595580387; Lopez, George, "Perils of Bush's Pre-emptive War Doctrine", Indianapolis Star, October 3, 2003(http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss5.html)</ref>

	====Afghanistan====
	{{main\|2001 war in Afghanistan}}
	On October 7, 2001, U.S. and British forces initiated bombing campaigns that led to the November 13 arrival of ] troops in ]. By December 2001, the ] had organized both the ], which installed the ] chaired by ], and the ], a multinational fighting force whose numbers and territory have since steadily increased.<ref>{{cite web
	\|url = http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/isaf.cfm
	\|title = Fact Sheet: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
	\|publisher = Center for Defense Information
	\|date = 2002-02-14
	\|accessdate = 2007-01-13
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	\|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4673026.stm
	\|title = More Dutch troops for Afghanistan
	\|publisher = BBC News
	\|date = 2006-02-3
	\|accessdate = 2007-01-13
	}}</ref>
	However, efforts to kill or capture ] leader ], in President Bush's later criticized words, "dead or alive",<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/sept11/2001/12/14/bush-binladen.htm \| title = Bush Pledges to Get bin Laden, Dead or Alive \| accessdate = 2007-1-11 \|date= ] \| publisher = USA Today}}</ref> failed as he escaped a battle in December 2001 in the mountainous region of ], which escape the Bush Administration later acknowledged resulted from a failure to commit enough U.S. ground troops.<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A62618-2002Apr16 \| title = U.S. Concludes bin Laden Escaped at Tora Bora Fight \| accessdate = 2007-1-11 \|date= ] \| publisher = Washington Post}}</ref> Bin Laden and al Qaeda's number two leader, ], as well as the Afghan leader of the Taliban, ], remained at large as of January 2007.

	Despite the initial success in driving the Taliban from power in Kabul, the war continued as by early 2003 the Taliban was regrouping, amassing new funds and recruits.<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0508/p01s02-wosc.html?related \| title = Taliban Appears To Be Regrouped and Well-Funded \| accessdate = 2006-10-23 \|date= ] \| publisher = Christian Science Monitor}}</ref> Frustrating the government of Afghan President Karzai and the NATO and US forces, as late as 2006 the] appeared larger, fiercer, and better organized than expected, with large-scale allied offensives such as the ] attaining limited success.<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=285 \| title = World Cannot Give Up on Afghanistan, Coalition Officials Say \| accessdate = 2006-10-23 \|date= ] \| publisher = U.S. Dept. of Defense}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5107816.stm \| title = Frustrated Karzai toughens stance \| accessdate = 2006-10-23 \|date= ] \| publisher = BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-06-19-taliban-afghanistan-cover_x.htm?csp=34 \| title = Revived Taliban waging 'full-blown insurgency' \| accessdate = 2006-06-19 \|date= ] \| publisher = USA Today}}</ref>

	As of 2005, NATO had been given control over western and southern parts of the country, and in September 2006, NATO agreed to assume control over operations throughout Afghanistan after the United States pledged to assign 12,000 troops to the force under NATO command, while keeping another 10,000 special operations and other troops operating under U.S. command throught the country.<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/nato-takes-over-afghanistan-war/2006/09/29/1159337339908.html \| title = NATO Takes Over Afghanistan War \| accessdate = 2007-1-11 \|date= ] \| publisher = Syndey (AU) Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.un.org/News/dh/latest/afghan/un-afghan-history.shtml#postsept \| title = Afghanistan & the United Nations \| accessdate = 2006-10-23 \|date= ] \| publisher = UN News Centre: Afghanistan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/2006/p06-117e.htm \| title = Statement by the Secretary General on expansion of NATO’s operation in Afghanistan \| accessdate = 2006-10-23 \|date= ] \| publisher = NATO: Press Release}}</ref> In an address to the ] that month, President Bush pledged the United States' continuing support for the war against the Taliban: "We'll help you defeat these enemies and build a free Afghanistan that will never again oppress you, or be a safe haven for terrorists."<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/afghanistan/index.html \| title = President Bush Addresses United Nations General Assembly \| accessdate = 2006-06-19 \|date= ] \| publisher = The White House}}</ref> As of October 2006, foreign troops in the region numbered more than 41,000.<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/06/AR2006100601373.html \| last = Rumsfeld \| first = Donald \| title = Afghanistan: Five Years Later \| accessdate = 2006-06-19 \|date= ] \| publisher = Washington Post}}</ref>

	====Iraq====
	{{Main article\|Iraq War}}
	Following the overthrow of the Taliban, President Bush also promoted urgent action in Iraq, stating that Iraqi President ] possessed ] (WMD), and that in the post 9/11 world it was too dangerous to allow unstable regimes to possess weapons that could "potentially fall into the hands of ]." Bush argued that Saddam, through his continued violation of the ] Cease Fire Agreement and ] ], ], 707, 715, ], 1115, 1134, 1137, ], and ], was a threat to U.S. security, destabilized the ], inflamed the ], and financed various terrorist organizations. ] reports requested by the Administration contained assertions that Saddam Hussein was intent on reconstituting nuclear weapons programs, had not properly accounted for Iraqi ] and ] material in violation of ], and that some Iraqi missiles had a range greater than allowed by the UN sanctions.<!--Reference no longer online--><ref>{{cite web
	\| url = https://www.cia.gov/cia/reports/iraq_wmd/Iraq_Oct_2002.htm
	\| title = Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs
	\| accessdate =
	\| year = 2002
	\| month = October
	\| publisher = ]
	}}</ref> In particular, the CIA drew together an October 1, 2002 ] on Iraq's ], pulling together the intelligence, estimations, opinions and judgments of 16 different U.S. intelligence services, including dissenting views or challenges to various assertions. Several versions of this report were or have been produced with varying levels of declassification, inclusion of dissenting opinions, and completeness.<ref>See The National Security Archive at George Washington University (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB129/index.htm); see also Judis, John B. and Ackerman, Spencer, “The Selling of the Iraq War”, The New Republic, June 2003 (citing further references therein).</ref> President Bush received a one-page summary of the ].<ref>Jehl, Douglas, New York Times, , July 14, 2004.</ref> The question of whether the Bush Adminstration manipulated or exaggerated the threat and evidence of Iraq's ] capabilities or attempted to create a tie between Sadaam Hussein and the al Qaeda terrorists who carried out the ] attacks would eventually become a major point of criticism and controversy for the President.<ref> See, e.g., Judis, John B. and Ackerman, Spencer, “The Selling of the Iraq War”, The New Republic, June 2003; Hersh, Seymour M., "The Stovepipe", The New Yorker, October 27, 2003</ref>
	] Lieutenant Ryan Philips, in the flight suit he wore for his ] aboard the ] in 2003.]]

	In late 2002 and early 2003, Bush urged the United Nations to enforce Iraqi ] mandates, precipitating a ]. On ] ], under ], Hans Blix and ] led UN weapons inspectors in Iraq. There was controversy over the efficacy of inspections and lapses in Iraqi compliance. UN inspection teams departed Iraq upon U.S. advisement given four days prior to the U.S. invasion, despite their requests for more time to complete their tasks.<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Associated Press
	\|url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-03-17-inspectors-iraq_x.htm
	\|title = U.S advises weapons inspectors to leave Iraq
	\|publisher = USA Today
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30 }}</ref> The U.S. initially sought a ] resolution authorizing the use of military force pursuant to Chapter VII of the ].<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.worldpress.org/specials/iraq/chapterVII.htm
	\| title = Enforcement Measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
	\| accessdate = 2006-06-30
	\| author = United Nations
	\|date= ]
	\| work = ]
	\| publisher = United Nations}}</ref> Upon facing vigorous opposition from several nations (primarily ] and ]), however, the U.S. dropped the bid for UN approval and began to prepare for war; ], a former chief prosecutor of the ] argued that for these actions Bush, with his Administration, could be prosecuted for ]s.<ref>{{cite news
	\| author =
	\| url = http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/38604/
	\| title = Could Bush Be Prosecuted for War Crimes?
	\| publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-07-10
	}}</ref> ], ], as well as leaders of several nations made similar statements, implying that the attack constitutes a war crime.<ref>{{cite news
	\|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3661134.stm
	\|title = Iraq war illegal, says Annan
	\|publisher = BBC
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-07-11
	}}</ref>

	In order to comply with the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution by Congress, on March 18, 2003, President Bush certified to Congress that he had "determined that: (1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and (2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001."<ref>Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, March 18, 2003(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030319-1.html)</ref>

	The war effort was joined by more than 20 other nations (most notably the ]) who were designated the "]".<ref>{{cite news
	\|first = Steve
	\|last = Schifferes
	\|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2862343.stm
	\|title = US names 'coalition of the willing'
	\|publisher = BBC
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref> The invasion of Iraq commenced on ], ], ostensibly to pre-empt Iraqi WMD deployment and remove Saddam from power. The Iraqi military was quickly defeated. The capital, ], fell on ], ]. On ], ], President Bush declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq in a speech from the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln. This speech would become known as his "]" speech due to a banner with that slogan in view overhead. At the outset of the speech, President Bush stated: "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country. In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world."<ref name="main551946.shtml">http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/01/iraq/main551946.shtml</ref>

	The initial success of U.S. operations had increased Bush's popularity, but the U.S. forces would be challenged by public disorder, as well as increasing insurgency led by pro-Saddam and Islamist groups. As the war continued, President Bush's May 1, 2003 "Mission Accomplished" speech would be criticized as premature."<ref>http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101031006/</ref> The Bush Administration was also assailed in subsequent months following the report of the ], which did not find the large quantities of weapons that the regime was believed to possess. On ], ], while discussing the WMD issue, Bush stated that "It is true that much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong."<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = Times Online
	\|coauthors = agencies
	\|url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-1930698,00.html
	\|title = Bush: we went to war on faulty intelligence
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-06-30
	}}</ref> Bush nevertheless remained unwavering when asked if the war had been worth it, or whether he would have made the same decision if he had known more. U.S. efforts in Iraq became the centerpiece of Bush's expressed vision to promote democracy as a means to discourage and defeat terrorists, by removing radical regimes and fostering social and economic development. However, a 2006 ] (a consensus report of the heads of 16 U.S. intelligence agencies) asserted that the Iraq war had increased Islamic radicalism and worsened the terror threat.<ref>{{cite news
	\|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/washington/25terrorcnd.html
	\|title = Report Stirs Debate on Terror Fight
	\|publisher = ]
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-09-25
	}}</ref> Bush and his top officials have continued to stress the need to "stay the course" in Iraq. They have accused critics, mainly ] who have called for a U.S. troop pullout or a timetable for withdrawal, of advocating a policy of "cut-and-run".<ref>{{cite news
	\| url = http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1209492.php/Stay-the-course_not_U.S.s_only_Iraq_option_Baker
	\| title = Stay-the-course not U.S.'s only Iraq option: Baker
	\|date= ]
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-08}}</ref>

	Iraqi elections and a referendum to approve a constitution were held in January and December 2005. Initial media reports of high voter turnout were overestimated<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO501F.html
	\| title = Iraqi Elections: Media Disinformation on Voter Turnout?
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-23
	\| last = Chossudovsky
	\| first = Michel
	\|date= ]
	\| work = Centre for Research on Globalisation
	}}</ref>, and were later estimated at less than 50%.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.markdanner.com/nyreview/042805_Iraq_election.htm
	\| title = Iraq: The Real Election
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-23
	\| last = Danner
	\| first = Mark
	\|date= ]
	\| work = The New York Review
	}}</ref> Since then, the fighting in Iraq escalated, and the country appeared to be on the brink of, if not already engaged in, ]. Bush's leadership against global terrorism and in the war in Iraq met increasing criticism, with increasing demands within the United States to set a timetable to withdraw troops from Iraq. Sectarian violence and political deadlock in Iraq, and the deaths of more than 3,000 U.S. soldiers and as many as 650,000 Iraqis (estimated),<ref>{{cite news
	\| url = http://newsblaze.com/story/2007010205300200001.ew/newsblaze/IRAQ0001/Iraq.html
	\| title = Dallas Commemorates Fallen 3000 U.S. Soldiers And 650,000 Iraqi Deaths
	\|date= ]
	\| accessdate = 2007-01-04
	}}</ref> increased negative impressions of Bush's leadership and the situation in Iraq. Allegations of abuse by U.S. troops accompanied calls from European and Asian leaders to shut down detention centers in ] and elsewhere.

	Bush has admitted that though there were strategic mistakes made in regards to the stability of Iraq, he would not change the overall Iraq strategy.<ref>{{cite news
	\| url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/images/20061021_d-0072-515h.html
	\| title = President George W. Bush speaks during a video teleconference with Vice President Dick Cheney, on screen, and military commanders.
	\|date= ]
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	\| url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=at9X1Z7oilgY
	\| title = Bush Reviews Iraq War Strategy as Violence Mounts (Update1)
	\|date= ]
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-22}}</ref>

	On ], ], facing mounting criticism for his Iraq war policy, Bush told the ] in ] that "We'll continue to be flexible, and we'll make the changes necessary to succeed. But there's one thing I'm not going to do: I'm not going to pull our troops off the battlefield before the mission is complete."<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061128-13.html \| title=President Bush Discusses NATO Alliance During Visit to Latvia \| publisher=The White House \|date=November 28, 2006}}</ref> On ], ] President Bush addressed the United States about the situation in Iraq. In ], he made references to changes to be made, including the "surge" of 21,500 more troops for Iraq, a job program for Iraqis, more reconstruction proposals, and 1.2 billion dollars for these programs. At this point specific, detailed information about the planned changes have not yet been officially announced.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16558652/page/1/\| title=Admitting strategy error, Bush adds Iraq troops \| publisher=] \|date=] ]}}</ref> The "surge" is opposed by many influential politicians in Washington, some of whom belong to the President's own party, such as Senator Hagel and Senator Coleman.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.nebraska.tv/news/local/5156297.html\| title=Hagel Blasts Troop Surge Plan \| publisher=] \|date=] ]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/16430933.htm\| title=From Senate floor, Coleman criticizes Bush plan for Iraq \| publisher=] \|date=] ]}}</ref>

	====North Korea====
	{{main\|United States-North Korea relations}}
	President Bush publicly condemned ] of ], naming North Korea one of three states in an "]," and saying that "he United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons."<ref></ref> Within months, "both countries had walked away from their respective commitments under the ]."<ref></ref>

	North Korea's October 9, 2006 ] of a nuclear device further complicated President Bush's foreign policy, which centered for both terms of his presidency on " the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United States and the world."<ref></ref> President Bush condemned North Korea's claims, reaffirmed his commitment to "a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula," and stated that "transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea to states or non-state entities would be considered a grave threat to the United States," for which North Korea would be held accountable.<ref></ref>

	===Cabinet===
	{{main\|George W. Bush administration}}
	].]]

	{\| cellpadding="1" cellspacing="2" style="float: left; margin:1em 1em 1em 0; border:1px solid #000000;font-size:85%;" align="left"
	!bgcolor="#dcdcdc" colspan="3"\|The Bush Cabinet
	\|-
	\|align="left"\|'''OFFICE'''\|\|align="left"\|'''NAME'''\|\|align="left"\|'''TERM'''
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3" \|
	\|-
	\|]\|\|'''George W. Bush'''\|\|2001-Present
	\|-
	\|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\| \|\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\| rowspan=3 valign=top \| ]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2003
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2003-2006
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2006-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2006
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2006-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=2 valign=top \| ]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2006
	\|-
	\|''']\|\|2006-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\| rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\| rowspan=1 valign=top \| ]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\| rowspan=2 valign=top \| ]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\|\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\| rowspan=2 valign=top \| ]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2003
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2004-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|Rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2006
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2006-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=3 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']'''\|\|2001-2005
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|-
	!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"\|
	\|-
	\|rowspan=2 valign=top \|]\|\|''']\|\|2003-2005
	\|-
	\|''']'''\|\|2005-Present
	\|}
	</div>

	===Assassination attempt===
	On ], ], while Bush was giving a speech in the Freedom Square in ], ] threw a live hand ] towards the podium where he was standing and where Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili was also seated. It landed in the crowd about 65 feet (20 meters) from the podium after hitting a girl. However, the grenade did not detonate because the red tartan (plaid) handkerchief wrapped tightly around it did not allow the ] to deploy fast enough. Arutinian was arrested in July 2005 and admitted to throwing the grenade. He was convicted in January 2006 and was subsequently given a life sentence.<ref>{{cite news \| coauthors =Chilcote, Ryan \| url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/01/11/georgia.grenade/index.html \| title = Bush grenade attacker gets life \| publisher =CNN \|date= ] \| accessdate = 2007-01-03}}</ref>

	==Criticism and public perception==
	===Domestic perceptions===
	{{main\|Criticism of George W. Bush\|Public perception of George W. Bush}}
	{{see also\|Fictionalized portrayals of George W. Bush}}
	]/] Bush ] from February 2001 to October 2006. Blue denotes "approve", red "disapprove", and gray "unsure". Large increases in approval followed the September 11 attacks and the beginning of the 2003 Iraq conflict.]]

	'']'' magazine named George W. Bush as its ] for 2000<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.time.com/time/personoftheyear/2004/
	\| title = Person of the Year President George W. Bush American Revolutionary
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| year = 2004
	\| work = ] Magazine
	}}</ref> and 2004,<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.time.com/time/poy2000/
	\| title = And the Winner Finally Is...… George W. Bush
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| year = 2000
	\| work = ] Magazine
	}}</ref> hailing him as the most influential person for these two years. Bush began his presidency with ]s near 50%.<ref name=ApprovalRatingsOverTime>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/cgi-bin/hsrun.exe/Roperweb/PresJob/PresJob.htx;start=HS_fullresults?pr=Bush
	\| title = Job Performance Ratings for President Bush
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| author = Roper Center
	\| year = 2006
	}}</ref> In the time of national crisis following the September 11 attacks, Bush enjoyed approval ratings of greater than 85%, maintaining 80–90% approval for four months after the attacks. Since then, his approval ratings and approval of handling of domestic and foreign policy issues steadily dropped. Polls conducted in early 2006 showed an average of around 40% for Bush, up slightly from the previous September, but still historically low from a President coming off his ], which generally provides a boost. As of ], ], an average of major polls indicated that Bush's approval rating stood at 35.5.<ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/</ref>

	At the beginning of his first term, Bush was regarded by some as lacking legitimacy due to his narrow victory in Florida and the attendant controversy surrounding his electoral college victory, which included accusations of vote suppression and tampering. Activist and filmmaker ]'s 2004 movie '']'' accused Bush of using public sentiments following 9/11 for political purposes and lying about the cause for war in Iraq.

	Bush enjoyed strong support among Americans holding conservative views, as well as the military and those who support a military agenda. In the 2004 elections, 95-98% of the Republican electorate approved of him. This support waned, however, due mostly to Republicans' growing frustration with Bush on the issues of spending and illegal immigration. Many Republicans began criticizing Bush on his policies in Iraq, Iran and the Palestinian Territories.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-02-15-rice-request_x.htm
	\| title = Republicans criticize Rice over Bush Mideast policy
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| author = Associated Press
	\|date= ]
	}}</ref>

	Since his re-election, critics have decried his frequent use of ]s, contending that they are unconstitutional. According to polls of job ], his popularity has significantly declined from its record heights after the September 11, 2001 attacks, which contributed to what Bush called the "thumping" of the ] in the ].<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://elections.us.reuters.com/top/news/usnN07478317.html \| year=November 8,2006 \| title=Bush admits Republicans took a "thumping" (Reuters)}}</ref>

	A poll taken in mid-September 2006 found that 48 percent of Americans believed the war with Iraq had made the U.S. less safe, while 41 percent believed the war had made the U.S. safer from terrorism.<ref> {{cite web
	\| url = http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq.htm
	\| title = Iraq
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-24
	\|date= September, 2006
	\| publisher = ] ]
	}}</ref> Another poll showed that a majority of Americans, by a margin of 61 to 35 percent, believed that the United States was not better off because of Bush's policies.<ref> {{cite web
	\| url = http://www.pollingreport.com/bush.htm
	\| title = President Bush and the Bush Administration
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-24
	\|date= September, 2006
	\| publisher = ] ]
	}}</ref>

	From time to time, Bush's ] capacities were questioned by the news media<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/19/AR2006081900568_pf.html
	\| title = Pundits Renounce The President
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-11
	\| last = Baker
	\| first = Peter
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = Washington Post
	}}</ref> and other politicians<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=401414
	\| title = Blair 'feels betrayed by Bush on Lebanon'
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-11
	\| last = Walters
	\| first = Simon
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = Daily Mail
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.csbsju.edu/uspp/Election/bush011401.htm
	\| title = Bush gets bad rap on intelligence
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-09
	\|date= ] ]
	\| publisher = St. Cloud Times Online
	}}</ref> Detractors tended to cite the various linguistic errors made by Bush during his public speeches (colloquially known as ]s).<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/US_election_race/Story/0,,392735,00.html
	\| title = Bush, in his own words
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-09
	\| author = Jacob Weisberg
	\|date= ] ]
	\| publisher = Guardian Unlimited
	}}</ref> Bush's habit of ] words received much ridicule in the media and in popular culture. Even as early as the ] ], this was the subject of a '']'' sketch (see ]).<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.kencollier.org/classes/PSC448/readings448/SeriousStrategery.html
	\| title = Serious 'Strategery' As Rove Launches Elaborate Political Effort, Some See a Nascent Clintonian 'War Room'
	\| accessdate = 2006-10-09
	\| author = Dana Milbank
	\|date= ] ]
	\| publisher = Washington Post
	}}</ref> He is not the only American president to be criticized for this.<ref>http://www-csli.stanford.edu/~nunberg/nucular.html</ref>

	At the conclusion of 2006, an ]-] News telephone poll of 1,004 adults found President George W. Bush to be both the top villain and hero of the year.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4431908.html\|title=Bush tops in poll for both villain, hero of year\|author=Darlene Superville\|date=December 29, 2006\|publisher=]}}</ref> The president was followed in the villain poll by ], who took in 8 percent to Bush's 25 percent, ] (6 percent) and Iran's ] (5 percent). In the hero poll, Bush's 13 percent was followed by: Soldiers/troops in Iraq (6 percent), ] (3 percent), ] (3 percent) and ] (3 percent).<ref>{{cite news\|title=Hero or villain? Depends on your point of view\|url=http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061229/OPINION/612290323/1014\|date=December 29, 2006\|publisher=]\|author=Lori McNelly}}</ref>

	==Foreign perceptions==
	] in ] carries a ] calling Bush the "World's #1 Terrorist".]]

	Bush has been widely criticized in the international community; he was targeted by the global anti-war and anti-globalization campaigns, and criticized for his foreign policy in general. Bush's policies were also the subject of heated criticism in the 2002 elections in Germany<ref>{{cite journal
	\| title= Die außenpolitischen Positionen der Parteien im Bundestagswahlkampf 2002
	\| year=2002
	\| author= M. Overhaus, S. Schieder
	\| journal= Politik im Netz\| volume 3
	\| url= http://www.deutsche-aussenpolitik.de/daparchive/dateien/2002/01300.pdf}}</ref> and the 2006 elections in Canada.<ref>{{cite news
	\|author = CBC News
	\|url = http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/realitycheck/americans.html
	\|title = Was the American ambassador meddling in a Canadian election?
	\|publisher = CBC.ca Reality Check Team
	\|date= ]
	\|accessdate = 2006-09-23
	}}</ref> Bush was openly condemned by current and former international leaders such as ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Later in Bush's presidency, tensions arose between himself and ], which has led to a cooling of their relationship.<ref name=LeeryofPutin>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20060721-9999-1n21usrussia.html
	\| title = Bush, White House now leary of Putin as Russian turns back on democracy
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| author = Condon, George E. Jr.
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = San Diego Union Tribune
	}}</ref> In the same time he has good relationship with ], ] and some other leaders of foreign countries. Diplomatic visits made by Bush were accompanied by both large-scale and small-scale protests.
	] ] in the East Room of the ], ], ]. White House photo by Paul Morse]]

	In 2006 a majority of respondents in 18 of 21 countries surveyed around the world were found to hold an unfavorable opinion of Bush. Respondents indicated that they judged his administration as "negative" for world security.<ref> {{cite web
	\| url = http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbcpoll.html
	\| title = In 18 of 21 Countries Polled, Most See Bush’s Reelection as Negative for World Security
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-24
	\|date=
	\| publisher = ] and ]
	}}</ref><ref> {{cite web
	\| url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/world/main604135.shtml
	\| title = Polls: World Not Pleased With Bush
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-24
	\|date= March 4, 2004
	\| publisher = ]
	}}</ref> A poll conducted in Britain placed Bush at the second biggest "threat to world peace" right after ], topping ]n president ].<ref></ref>
	According to a poll taken in November of 2006, ], as well as Britons, believed that Bush was the second biggest "threat to the world peace" after ]. ] came 3rd in poll and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Nasrallah came joint fourth.<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/200611115352441_uu.shtml
	\| title = He uhkaavat maailman turvallisuutta (They threat the world peace)
	\| accessdate = 2006-11-11
	\| last =
	\| first =
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = Iltalehti
	}}</ref>

	During a visit to the ] on ], ], ] attempted to assassinate Bush.<ref>{{cite web\| url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/07/20/bush.grenade/index.html\| year=July 20th, 2005\| title=Suspect in Bush grenade incident detained}}</ref> Arutinian threw a grenade which eventually landed in the large crowd some 18.6 meters (61 feet) from the podium where Bush was delivering a speech, but failed to detonate.

	Some people, such as Benjamin Ferencz, a chief prosecutor at the ], expressed the view that Bush should be tried, along with Saddam Hussein, for starting a war of aggression, the supreme international crime under the ].<ref>{{cite web
	\| url = http://us.oneworld.xxxnet/article/view/138319/1/
	\| title = Bush and Saddam Should Both Stand Trial, Says Nuremberg Prosecutor
	\| accessdate = 2006-09-09
	\| last = Glantz
	\| first = Aaron
	\|date= ]
	\| publisher = OneWorld
	}}</ref> Other experts also regarded the Bush Administration's decision to invade Iraq as illegitimate: "There was no authorization from the U.N. Security Council ... and that made it a crime against the peace," said ], professor of international law, who also said the U.S. Army's field manual required such authorization for an offensive war.<ref>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003207442_watada18m.html</ref>
	However, some foreign policy experts at the time had argued that the U.N. Security Council was a weak institution whose authorization for the invasion of Iraq was not necessary; pointing out that every permanent member of the U.N. Security Council had undertaken at least one war without the council's permission or endorsement, and no such authorization came from the U.N. in other U.S. military action such as in Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, Panama or Grenada, or for that matter President Jimmy Carter's attempt to rescue American hostages during the Iran Hostage Crisis.<ref>http://www.cfr.org/publication/5564/un_blessing_is_just_a_frill_for_a_us_war_in_iraq.html</ref>

	==See also==
	*]
	*]
	*]

	==References==
	<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
	{{reflist\|2}}
	<br>
	{{George W. Bush}}

	==External links==
	{{Sisterlinks\|George W. Bush}}
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	{{succession box \| before = ] \| title = ] \| years = 1995–2000 \| after = ]}}
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	{{USpresidents}}
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	{{War on Terrorism}}
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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Bush, George W.}}

	{{Persondata
	\|NAME=Bush, George Walker
	\|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Bush, George, Jr.; Bush Jr.
	\|SHORT DESCRIPTION=43rd ]
	\|DATE OF BIRTH=], ]
	\|PLACE OF BIRTH=], Connecticut
	}}

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Revision as of 06:37, 18 January 2007

George Dubya Bush


43rd President of the United States
Incumbent
Assumed office January 20, 2001
Vice President	Richard Bruce Cheney
Preceded by	William Jefferson Clinton

Personal details
Born	(1946-07-06) July 6, 1946 (age 78) New Haven, CT
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Laura Bush
Signature

George Walker Bush (born July 6 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001 and re-elected in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. He is unanimously and universally considered a majour douchebag. Fucking cunt.

The Bush family has a significant history in the Republican Party and U.S. politics. Bush is the eldest son of the 41st U.S. President, George H. W. Bush, grandson to Prescott Bush, the former U.S. Senator from Connecticut, and older brother to Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida. George W. Bush became the 46th Governor of Texas in January 1995, resigning in December 2000, after being elected president.

Bush mofo was first elected in 2000, becoming the fourth president in U.S. history to steal a fucking election through his crony friends and be elected without a plurality of the popular vote after the 1824, 1876 and 1888 elections.

He is a major asshole. If you see him, run! He might just declare war on you!