Inconsistency Of Bush Presidency example essay topic

Michael Bean George Bush Senior was elected president in 1989. He was elected saying many things, such as having no new taxes and increasing military spending. His views were hardly his own, but seemed to be borrowed from the prior president, Ronald Reagan. He seemed only to be an extension of the well regarded Ronald Reagan, and seemed like a good choice for the Reagan-lovers. Like his siblings and family alike, he was given a fast track to political success and seemed to be taking full advantage of it.

Despite the hardy appearance and well-projected image, Bush would later fold some of his promises under pressure. Along with many people who questioned his perfect moderate appearance, Bush began to stray towards a conservative Texan and soon his policies changed. He was often regarded as a president who would work strictly for his own benefit. Bush' media advisors worked hard to project a tougher, firmer image, which was a success, but it was later shown that Bush would be a self-defining character throughout his presidency. Once elected as president, and inaugurated on the 20th of January, 1989, Bush dropped the firm image for a while, and took people on tours on his first day as president. He left a looser, more informal atmosphere throughout the Government and White House.

At the time of his election, both Houses were controlled by democrats, so Bush had no choice to choose his fights moderately, and had a great deal of trouble making any sort of rash decisions. One of his most well-known blunders, the world realized that reading Bush' lips meant nothing, as Bush decided that raising taxes was an absolute necessity. This not only ruined his public image and made everyone question his every decision, but it lost his strong support with the few republicans left in the government at the time. Soon after the president drew a blank on how to solve the deficit, he and Congress agreed on a budget package that would marginally raise taxes for the general public, and reduce high-paying exemptions.

Folding again, Bush really hurt his image on keeping his word and also lost much of his support with the republicans. Continuing the economic turmoil, unemployment rates rose sharply around 1991. Attempting to remedy the situation, Bush decided he would raise benefits for the unemployed, and would make concessions with Japan, Australia and South Korea for exports. Although he did reach small agreements with Japan, the endeavor was considered yet another failure. Soon after Bush' 1992 State of the Union address, Bush made yet another questionable decision - vetoing a bill that would raise taxes for the wealthy to lower the deficit. It was considered one of his tougher decisions regarding tax raises.

Despite all Bush' problems with following his word and keeping the economy running back at home, he was heralded for his handling of foreign affairs. He was praised for his handling of Nicaragua, unseating the leaders that had long bothered both Bush and Reagan. Bush also did well in Panama, using force when necessary, as it was to remove Gen. Manuel Noriega from power. He was able to capture and charge the general with several charges. One of Bush' best moves while in office, he made several agreements with Mikhail Gorbachev to reduce weapons and sign peace treaties. Soon after he also kept the agreements coming when signing with Yeltsin and Russia.

While handling his most serious issue as president, Bush' popularity rose to incredible highs. He managed to defend the defenseless Kuwait, and rid the country of all Iraqi soldiers with one of the quickest wars in world history, with battle lasting but 100 hours. The only downfall to the situation was the method in which Bush ended the war, with cease-fire before Saddam Hussein was removed from office in Iraq. Although this error seemed minute at the time, it has had it's share of consequences, leading to the recent Iraqi war. Although Bush seemed to have an overall successful presidency, his image in history can be summed up in the way the 1992 election went - Despite international successes, economic disaster and lack of trust were overwhelming to the public. The inconsistency of Bush' presidency would leave him in the cold, exactly as the election went, with an initial prediction of re-election, but would end with bitter defeat All throughout his presidency, Bush seemed to be a real livewire, unpredictable and energized, but it would not be enough to remove the images cemented into the citizen's minds - as a misleading, poor money handling man.