A Controversial Leader for Controversial Times

By German Visbal

Published October 29, 2004

Born in New Heaven, Conn., in 1946, raised in Houston, Texas, a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in business administration, George W. Bush is a modern world leader.

President Bush started his public life when he moved to Texas from Washington, DC, and tried to become a congressman in 1978. However, he lost to the incumbent, and went back to his oil and gas business. Bush became more prominently known as a public figure when he became part owner of the Texas Rangers (baseball team) and the man in charge of the team. He sold the team in 1998.

Return to Texas

After helping his father in the 1988 presidential election, Bush returned to Texas from Washington, DC. He made his first giant step as a politician when he ran for Texas Governor in 1994, raising more money than any other politician in Texas history-- his support grew and he became more popular. Bush won the election with 53.5 percent of the vote defeating incumbent Ann Richards.

As Texas governor, Bush’s political program was based on education and controversial reforms such as the tort reform and juvenile justice. In addition, he brought about crucial modifications supporting controversial issues, such as the death penalty. In 1998, Bush was reelected with more than 60 percent of the votes, creating great expectations for his political life.

Controversial Presidency

Married to Laura Bush and the father of two twin daughters Barbara and Jenna, George W. Bush had a greater political ambition than that of only being a governor-- the presidency. He entered the U.S presidential race in 1999 with tax cuts and federal education policies as his main issues. He chose Dick Cheney, a top executive for the oil industry, as his running mate.

In the general election, Bush faced the then Vice President Al Gore. After a controversial and unusual recounting in Florida, Bush won a 5-4 Supreme Court decision, thus becoming the 43rd president of the United States.

Since the beginning of his presidency, President Bush has proven to be a decisive leader defending the country and working on issues such as tax cuts, and foreign policy. As Lix Karime Padilla, a Republican likely voter, said, “Bush has demonstrated to be not only a great leader, but also someone who can back up his actions.” On foreign policy, for example, he has pursued a different approach from former President Bill Clinton, pulling out of the Kyoto global-warming treaty, and withdrawing the United States from the anti-ballistic missile treaty. On domestic issues, President Bush signed a tax cut reform that provided lower tax rates for taxpayers in America. He also increased pay in the U.S. military and is working to strengthen Social Security and Medicare by guaranteeing no changes for existing benefits for retirees and near retirees, and giving younger people the chance to obtain Social Security benefits as well. During his presidency, an unexpected fatal tragedy occurred; the Sept 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon.

Lix Karime stands next to a cutout of president George W.Bush.

The War on Terror

After the attacks, the Bush’s administration concentrated on issues such as national security (the creation of the Department of Homeland Security) and foreign intervention. In one of his speeches after Sept 11, President Bush described Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as threats to the United States and to the world. He then soon took action sending troops to Iraq in 2003, keeping the promise he made in his inaugural address in 2002. “ The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength.”

The Iraq war has been the biggest issue of Bush’s presidency. It has created controversy and it’s now the main issue in his political agenda. Lowell Wong, a member of the UF College Republicans says that "Bush is a strong creative leader. He is going on the right track," referring to the president’s agenda on Iraq.

A few months after sending troops to Iraq, Iraq's dictator, Saddam Hussein was captured in December 2003 after a long dictatorship and repression of Iraq's citizens. Hussein’s capture has been President Bush’s biggest accomplishment in the war against terror. The aftermath of Hussein’s capture has polarized the public opinion on how the Iraq situation should be handled. It has also drawn a dividing line among those who support the president’s decisions on Iraq, and those who do not. During the election year, Iraq has become a decisive issue on the president’s agenda and political campaign for reelection.

Reelection Campaign

President Bush accepted the republican party nomination for president in September 2004. He faces his reelection campaign in the middle of a difficult year in which the economy is starting to make a recovery. As Molly Cox, a member of the College Republicans at University of Florida states, “the economy is doing well. It is doing better now. Also, the economy depends on confidence.”

Lix Karime campaigns for Bush at the Reitz Union at UF.

Bush’s opponent is the democratic candidate John Kerry, a senator from Massachusetts. President Bush promises to build a “hopeful” nation for Americans. His program focuses on the reformation of America's high schools by providing more federal money to extend state assessment of student reading and math skills, a simpler tax reform for taxpayers that encourages investments and savings stimulating the economy to create new jobs, higher promotion for home ownership by creating 7 million of affordable houses and a more accessible health care system for Americans by calling for a community health care center in every poor county of America. The president also plans a redeployment of American troops overseas to use the existing forces more effectively and to give more support to their families.

The Iraq war and domestic issues such as economy and social spending will play a crucial role in the U.S. presidential election. President Bush hopes to be reelected and promises to bring about new strategies that appeal to those who strongly oppose him and those who are undecided.

German Visbal can be reached at germanvisbal@yahoo.com