It’s a tale of two presidents; from the hanging chads squeaker through his first months in office, Bush was at best, inauspicious. Half the country still pined for Gore. 9/11 changed all that in a heartbeat. Bush threw off his aura of mediocrity and put on his CINC hat. He was decisive, courageous and determined to lead the nation. From Sept 11, 2001 until May 1, 2003, aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln when he gave his “mission accomplished” speech Bush was a great president. He inspired our country and delivered fear into his enemy’s heart. If fate had ended his presidency on May 2nd 2003, he would have been one of the all-time great war-time presidents.

Alas; he moved on, rudderless for the next 5 years and mostly screwed things up. It’s clear that the endless onslaught of criticism and back-stabbing for the leftists took its toll. Bush seems to be a man of character and conscience but his courage was tested and it came up short. He could face down Osama and Sadam, but he was no match for Reid and Pelosi. Take away his “war” record and you will find one of the least effective and befuddled presidents we have ever had; in fact, his last months in office could actually be called cowardly and disgraceful; History will be confused.