Are there any other US presidents that have had to deal with so much in their terms as President Bush?

Question

I can't believe all that has gone on during the time Bush has been president and he has taken on that huge task one by one and done a great job, a job that not many would be able to do or would want to do because you can't please everyone all the time. Can anyone think of a presdent that has gone through such tragic disasters and terrorist events in the USA?

Please state the president that you feel has also gone through so much, and your tragic events that the president handled. Example: Clintons biggest tragic event involved how to handle getting caught having oral sex in the Whitehouse.

Again, we are talking about acts DIRECTLY ON USA SOIL, not over seas, right here.

Disasters are horrible events that are no ones fault, nor is an attack on our people working in buildings. However, I thank you ALL for bringing some great points to light, especially the fact that Bush has faced some of the biggest events right along with some of the other great presidents of the USA that have had some truly difficult terms. I am glad I am not the only one seeing this, I seem to see too much "finger pointing" these days and not enough THANK YOU'S to all doing such a difficult and good job!...so Thank you for your insight.

Answer 1

I totally concur with your thoughts on this. I think the only other president that had to deal with such a US 'disaster' would be Lincoln and the civil war.

Answer 2

President Bush certainly has had a unique set of challenges to deal with, and has handled them to the best of his ability. It's difficult to compare presidents in this regard because each situation is very different. However, several have had equally challenging tasks to handle. President Roosevelt (Franklin, not Teddy) had to deal with the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, Pearl Harbor (not a state, but a US territory at the time), World War II, development of the atom bomb, internment of the Japanese, resource rationing, diminishing allies in the world and, of course, his disability. President Wilson had to guide the nation through World War I and then see his "14 points" completely disregarded. President Johnson had to deal with the aftermath of the JFK assasination, the thick of Vietnam, the civil rights movement and violent backlash in the South as well as his own personal problems.

Of all of the above, I'd probably have to say that Roosevelt had dealt with as much, if not more, than Bush (WWII was pretty massive). Again, however, Bush's job hasn't been easy, and it is more difficult to compare 9/11 to Pearl Harbor (though the attack on Pearl Harbor was horrible, and a complete surprise, it was an attack on a military installation, not a civilian complex).

Answer 3

The only other president who had a lot to deal with was FDR not Clinton. Clinton responded to all those terrorists attacks by downsizing the military. FDR had to deal with the Great Depression and World War II, which were 2 events that dramatically shaped our country and the world.

Bush is the only other president besides FDR to face so much during their time in office. I would say he is doing a great job at it too, considering all the things that he has to deal with.

Answer 4

I agree with a couple other responders who note that Lincoln and FDR had a lot to deal with during their administrations.
Two notes:
- Lincoln faced personal issues, as well as public. One of his sons died during his first year in office. His wife was seriously injured in a carriage accident, and also had increasingly severe mental problems.
- Part of the reason Roosevelt had to deal with so much (Depression and War) was that he kept running for re-election. But that also spread his problems over a longer period (12+ years).

But one thing we have to remember is that in past years the press was not nearly as determined to create stories and to stir up hornet's nests as it is today. For example, in terms of personal issues, it's often mentioned that the press never reported FDR's disability (or his extramarital affair) to the public. That would be unimaginable today. And certainly there were not constant on-screen interviews, sound-bite reporting, weblogs, etc., etc.

It's just much harder to govern these days. Did you ever try to do your job while multiple people watched, asked questions, expressed opinions, and took polls on your performance? It's hard to do what you're trying to do when you know everyone is watching and telling you what you're doing wrong.

So Bush is definitely right up there among the Presidents who have had the most difficult challenges.

Answer 5

Actually, I'd say all presidents have had a whole lot to deal with. President Bush is no different. George Washington for example, had to deal with the newly established nation. I'd say that dwarfs Bush's lot in comparison. Or how about FDR. He had the Great Depression to deal with. Or Lincoln with the Civil War.

A great president is not defined by how much he has to deal with, but by how effectively he does such.

Personally, I don't believe Bush has dealt with his lot considerably well. His war on terrorism has only made it worse.
Perhaps you have heard about the recently released report on the increased terrorism report?

If not, here. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/world/middleeast/24terror.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Answer 6

Truman - he made the decision to drop two atomic bombs ending World War II. Bush is having to deal "with so much" because he started a war under false pretenses with an enemy he didn't understand and no plan to end the war. Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon had Viet Nam and the death of 50,000 American soldiers. Kennedy had the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis which could have started another world war. Johnson had to deal with Kennedy's death and the problems Kennedy created, and also had to deal with the Civil Rights movement. Nixon also had to deal with Watergate and being a burglar.

Answer 7

Washington had to keep the new nation from becoming a monarchy. Lincoln had to keep the country together during civil war. Wilson and Roosevelt presided during world war. Bush's problems are his own doing.

Answer 8

The story of Lincoln's life is depressing, but he is one of the greatest Presidents we've ever had.

Answer 9

In my opinion it would be Pres.Lincoln.He also had personal tragedies to deal with at the same time.But there is no other comparison between the two.Lincoln was intelligent and a leader

Answer 10

Bill Clinton for one and he never let pretzels get to him. He went through terrorist bombings in '93, war in Bosnia and Somalia, and the attacks of US embassies in Africa.