In 2000, George W. Bush campaigned for the presidency by promising to be a uniter, not a divider. But his presidency soon became one of the most divisive, partisan, and controversial in recent memory, if not in all of presidential history. And despite being elected to a second term in 2004, Bush’s presidency ended in apparent failure and disrepute. Bush left office with the nation mired in two controversial wars, with a record budget deficit, a financial crisis and an economy in recession, and the Republican Party in disarray. Scholars are currently debating whether Bush will be remembered merely as one of the worst presidents in history (along with Buchanan and Hoover), or perhaps as the single worst president of the 42 individuals who have ever held the office (Wilentz 2006; Foner 2006). This volume is devoted to the question of Bush’s legacy. In the following eleven articles, a diverse group of scholars seeks to make sense of Bush’s impact on public policy, politics, and the presidency.
Introduction
