The legacy of President George W. Bush

[MrsSpringsteen]

He thinks that's his biggest failure? Um, wow

Former President George W. Bush signaled on Thursday that he sees not privatizing Social Security as his greatest failure from the eight years he served in the White House, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The unpopular Republican leader made the suggestion while speaking at a trade conference in the Windy City, where he discussed his legacy and also offered a glimpse into what readers can expect from his forthcoming memoir, Decision Points.

"I would like to be remembered as a guy who had a set of priorities, and was willing to live by those priorities," explained Bush. "In terms of accomplishments, my biggest accomplishment is that I kept the country safe amidst a real danger."

Bush poked fun at himself in addressing how his thoughts will be delivered in his memoir.

"I have written a book," he said. "This will come as quite a shock to some. They didn't think I could read, much less write."

With the 2010 midterm election just weeks away, it's possible that the comments from the former president may leave some members of the GOP community a bit uneasy. Over the summer, it was reported that the release date for Bush's memoir -- November 9 -- had Republicans concerned that the timing could hurt the party's chances at the polls.

Matt Latimer, a former Bush appointee, wrote about the matter at the Daily Beast at the time:

[Some] Republicans, particularly those most closely tied to the Bush regime, actually argue the book could help the party by reminding some voters of what they liked about Bush. Still, that has not stopped some Republicans, traumatized over the last two election cycles, from fearing the worst. "Monumentally bad timing" was the reaction of one former Bush aide who learned of the book release date. Another prominent conservative compared the Bushies' public-relations savvy to LeBron James . "Selfish and stupid" was another noted right-wing columnist's reaction


As the criticism relates to Bush's regret that he couldn't achieve privatizing social security, it seems that his remarks couldn't have come at a worse time.

Time magazine reported earlier this week on Democratic efforts to score points with voters ahead of the midterms on the social security issue. In some cases, Democrats are even tying the matter to the former president.

"Instead of helping seniors," explained House Speaker Pelosi's office to the publication, "Republicans, backed by their allies on Wall Street, are threatening to privatize and cut Social Security, just as they tried to do under President Bush."

It shouldn't come as a surprise that following the former White House leader's remarks on Thursday, Democrats were quick to once again pounce on the issue.

"Republicans' agenda is what it always was -- turn the Social Security seniors worked hard to earn over to Wall Street," said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Press Secretary Ryan Rudominer. "If Republicans has their way, seniors could have lost 40 percent of their retirement investments when the market crashed. America's seniors deserve better."

[Pearl]

Originally Posted by MrsSpringsteen

Bush poked fun at himself in addressing how his thoughts will be delivered in his memoir.

"I have written a book," he said.

He better not go on a book tour, because no one would show up. Well, maybe a few who still believe he was the best president ever (unbelievable that there are people like that) plus a few egg and/or tomato throwers, but other than that...

[BVS]

I never understood the privatizing social security issue, are Republicans truly this short sighted? Are they ever capable of seeing the big picture?

I get it, as an individual you should be saving for retirement. BUT then there is this thing called reality, which is not all can do so, and not all will do so.

What is the Republican plan when there is a big percentage of homeless elderly? Death panels, or just let them become a drain on society? It's common sense.

[Moonlit_Angel]

Wow. That's the only thing he sees as a failure? That's...horrendously sad.

"In terms of accomplishments, my biggest accomplishment is that I kept the country safe amidst a real danger."

Oh, where, oh, where to begin with that statement?

Over the summer, it was reported that the release date for Bush's memoir -- November 9 -- had Republicans concerned that the timing could hurt the party's chances at the polls.

Right. The timing of his book should be what concerns that party most about their chances next month. Not their psychotic beliefs and stances on issues, no.

[Some] Republicans, particularly those most closely tied to the Bush regime, actually argue the book could help the party by reminding some voters of what they liked about Bush.

Keep dreaming.

Angela

[TonyH]

Originally Posted by BVS

I never understood the privatizing social security issue, are Republicans truly this short sighted? Are they ever capable of seeing the big picture?

I get it, as an individual you should be saving for retirement. BUT then there is this thing called reality, which is not all can do so, and not all will do so.

What is the Republican plan when there is a big percentage of homeless elderly? Death panels, or just let them become a drain on society? It's common sense.

Bush suggested allowing individuals to invest up to TWO percent of their Social Security payroll taxes in privately controlled equity accounts. Wow that is so radical! That means the government would have only been allowed to control 98 percent--instead of 100 percent--of our social security funds. We wouldn't want that now would we?

[coolian2]

given he'd been out of the limelight for nearly two years i forgot how much of a complete spastic he was.

wow.

[BVS]

Originally Posted by TonyH

Bush suggested allowing individuals to invest up to TWO percent of their Social Security payroll taxes in privately controlled equity accounts. Wow that is so radical! That means the government would have only been allowed to control 98 percent--instead of 100 percent--of our social security funds. We wouldn't want that now would we?

I'm speaking to PRIVATIZING social security in general. There are many that want a lot more than 2%.

[The_Pac_Mule]

I'm speaking to PRIVATIZING social security in general. There are many that want a lot more than 2%.

Is that what he wanted though?

[BVS]

Originally Posted by The_Pac_Mule

Is that what he wanted though?

He never had a concrete plan, not one I saw, it was always shifting.

[The_Pac_Mule]

He never had a concrete plan, not one I saw, it was always shifting.

I don't see it as a big deal then, if he never actually made plans.

[deep]

Originally Posted by TonyH

Bush suggested allowing individuals to invest up to TWO percent of their Social Security payroll taxes in privately controlled equity accounts. Wow that is so radical! That means the government would have only been allowed to control 98 percent--instead of 100 percent--of our social security funds. We wouldn't want that now would we?

2% really ?

The president plans to ask Congress to allow younger Americans to put at least one-third of the 6.2 percent payroll tax into private accounts, which will offer a set number of investment options similar to the thrift savings plans provided to federal workers. The administration has also signaled that it will propose changing the formula that sets initial Social Security benefit levels, cutting promised benefits by nearly a third in the coming decades.

With resistance hardening among congressional Republicans, the White House is escalating efforts to get Social Security restructured this year. There will be campaign-style events to win support and precision targeting of districts where lawmakers could face reelection difficulties. As Republicans signaled earlier, they have begun hard-hitting television ads to discredit opponents and prop up the Bush plan.

1/3 of 6.2 % is about 2 %

1/3 does not equal 1/50 or 2% (2/100)

A starting point is a plan proposed by a presidential commission in 2001 that would divert 2% of workers' payroll taxes into private accounts. The remaining 4.2% — and the Social Security taxes employers pay — would go into the system, helping fund benefits for current retirees. That leaves a shortfall of at least $2 trillion to continue funding benefits for those current retirees.

Social Security Push to Tap the GOP Faithful (washingtonpost.com)

Originally Posted by The_Pac_Mule

Is that what he wanted though?

yes, he, Dick Cheney, and Rove wanted to privatized SS. Absolutely.

Bush moves to privatize Social Security

[BVS]

Originally Posted by The_Pac_Mule

I don't see it as a big deal then, if he never actually made plans.

Republicans are STILL talking about it, it's part of the party's platform. Many conservatives want this, but they just don't have the ability to see the big picture. They can't see beyond their own wallets.

[deep]

Bush's book, "Decision Points," is full of anecdotes and behind-the-scenes details of eight eventful years that began with the Sept. 11 in 2001 attacks and ended with an economic meltdown in which "I felt like the captain of a sinking ship."

Bush wrote of many errors involving the Iraq campaign and the failure to find weapons of mass destruction there, despite numerous intelligence reports pointing to their existence.

"No one was more shocked or angry than I was when we didn't find the weapons. I had a sickening feeling every time I thought about it. I still do," Bush writes.

The book includes the revelation that the controversial Cheney had volunteered to step down in 2003 so Bush could pick someone else as his 2004 campaign running mate.

Bush wrote that he considered the offer, writing that while Cheney "helped with important parts of our base, he had become a lightning rod for criticism from the media and the left."

While Bush did not like Cheney's image as described by critics, accepting his resignation offer would help "demonstrate that I was in charge," he writes.

Bush said he talked to aides about asking Republican Senator Bill Frist to run with him instead of Cheney, but ultimately stuck with Cheney because he valued his steady hand.

I still think W was the worst President ever.

But after I read that, if he sent Cheney packing in 2003 and replaced his with Bill Frist, I can't help but think things would not have been near as bad.

[BVS]

Apparently he's pissed at Kanye too...

[Canadiens1131]

Try as I might I just can't tar Dubya Bush as pure evil.

He's a weak man; a weak, weak, buffoon of a man. Allowed those around him to wield all the power, come up with a legal explanation and excuse for the U.S. Government to torture prisoners, mismanaged disasters...good times everybody!

I almost pity him. It's like the presidency was a speeding freight train and he was struggling to hold onto the back rail of the caboose, while other people were in the engine setting the pace.

[deep]

I don't, never hated him

But, I still think his was the worse Presidency, ever.

reading that, it almost makes me a little upset, that there was talk of changing course as early as 2003, and he didn't do it.

[PhilsFan]

Originally Posted by Canadiens1131

Try as I might I just can't tar Dubya Bush as pure evil.

He's a weak man; a weak, weak, buffoon of a man. Allowed those around him to wield all the power, come up with a legal explanation and excuse for the U.S. Government to torture prisoners, mismanaged disasters...good times everybody!

I almost pity him. It's like the presidency was a speeding freight train and he was struggling to hold onto the back rail of the caboose, while other people were in the engine setting the pace.

I know he's not evil, I've always said he wasn't. He was a not stupid but not bright man who realized quickly what he needed to do to get elected. The man ran a good campaign, that is for sure. Unfortunately, he surrounded himself with malicious, controlling people, and he didn't have that edge to him that they did, so they called the shots. Weak is a good word. Or indifferent even. I don't think he really cared all that much, honestly. I think Rove and Cheney told him things that didn't sound too unreasonable, so he just went with it.

I don't feel pity for him and never will, though. Being weak or indifferent isn't a defense, it's an indictment.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Originally Posted by Pearl

He better not go on a book tour, because no one would show up.

that's a silly statement.

[diamond]

Legacy:

YouTube - 2010 World Series Game 4 - President George W. Bush Throws Out First Pitch

I don't think Jimmy Carter would have this type of a reception/welcome at a Alanta Braves (if they were playing) world series event.

<>

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Talking about someones legacy so soon after they left office really shows how much of an a.d.d. culture we've become.