Why does everyone call George Bush the worst president?

Question

From what I read, Andrew Jackson has been judged by historians to be the worst. I have no knowledge of why they say that.

But more recently, Jimmy Carter, while president accomplished the goals of making double digit inflation, having us wait for gasoline that cost, adjusted for inflation, what it did this spring (we broke the record), had extremely high interest rates which discouraged home ownership, and had a stagnant economy with high unemployment. Lets not forget about his buying of hostages telling the world the US WILL negotiate with you.

I don't agree with alot of what Bush has done, especially the Patriot Act and his spending tendencies. But he is far from the worst.

Not to mention currently Jimmy Carter is certifying elections in Venezuela and calls Bush the worst president. A man who lives in a glass house shouldn't cast stones.

I agree, my knowledge of past presidents is not great, the reason for the question.

Yes, I apparently did mean Andrew Johnson.

And Carter is the only example I know of.

The economy is good by pretty much all indicators and has been.

I agree Bush has done many things that I wouldn't classify as "good" but he's hardly close to the worst.

What exactly is a "failed president?" And how does that make him "not the worst?"

Answer 1

Wow, what list did you see ?Jackson is no where near the worst on any list I have ever seen.I think you may be referring to Andrew Johnson ,who was the only other President to be impeached, besides Clinton. I think you know where Clinton will end up on that list. Most list Buchanon as the worst. It is far too early to judge Bush's presidency. There are so many things that could happen in the near future to effect how he is viewed in historical terms. History will define his Presidency, not nay sayers who do not agree with his policies now.

Answer 2

People who say Bush is the worst are running off of emotion. Bush's foreign policy is not as bad as we all think it is, his administration got Libya to disarm its WMD program (Huge!), No Child Left Behind is doing well, the Economy is fantastic, his tax cuts have been great (especially for me and I am a Middle-class American). Currently many ranking organization have Bush around 20-23, with his father and Clinton. I think that after about 30-50 years and we have let the dust settle and our emotions pass, Bush will end up a top 15 if not a top 10 president. I could be wrong, but I doubt it on this. http://www.dryflypolitics.com

Answer 3

Your lack of historical knowledge undermines your opinion that GWB is "far from the worst" president.

To begin with, most historians put Andrew Jackson in the top 10 and certainly not the worst. My guess is you meant Andrew Johnson, but even he isn't considered the worst by most historians.

I remember the long gas lines as a child and that was when Nixon and Ford were president, not Carter. Most historians view Carter as a failed president and not the worst. Of course, most lean to the left politically so they can't be objective where Carter is concerned, nor can they where GWB is concerned.

I think GWB is the worst because since he has been in office, we are less safe, our economy is in worse shape, we have the highest debt in our nation's history, public education is worse and he has repeatedly tried to get around the Constitution to enact laws that do not benefit the American people. He promised to bring Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda to justice but has enabled them to increase their recruitment with an unnecessary war in Iraq. Why didn't he use all the troops and resources he wasted in Iraq to go into Afghanistan and Pakistan to kill and destroy Osama and Al Qaeda?

How can he not be seen as a colossal failure and who would you describe as worse - and WHY?

Answer 4

W is no where near the worst. For all of you libs out there, tell me what rights of Americans were violated? Do you know anyone who's rights were violated?

Tell me more about the economy, unemployment is down, stocks are at a record level, manufacturing is up.

How are we less safe? We are fighting the enemy on their own soil. People are starting to become more aware of what is going on around them!

This President has had a lot to deal with, as has done as well as most people in his position would have. Is he perfect? No! Is he the best, only history will tell.

Answer 5

Actually the worst rated President was Warren G. Harding
Bill Clinton rated #21 and George W. Bush is #22
Both Jimmy "crack corn" Carter and Gerald Ford are
tied for #27

Answer 6

The Carter years were pretty rough, but not due to complete incompetence on his part. Plus, he didn't inherit anywhere near the same economy that Bush did. With 'W', there are so many bad areas that it is staggering.

- Violations of U.S. rights
- Condoned violations of Geneva convention
- Intentionally misleading the U.S. and congress to vote for war
- Favoritism beyond rational belief, the only requirement is complete loyalty to him.
- Failure on just about every expected level from the executive branch
- Why does his VP's former company get billions and billions of dollars of no bid contracts? 40 freakin dollars to get a 6-pack of soda over to the troops in Iraq.
- Staggering debt.

After 'W''s watch and stewardship, the U.S. cannot take any moral high ground in any discussion ever. He's been there, violated that or ignored it.

Answer 7

It's politically useful to those appealing to the short of memory.

President Clinton was the worst President ever.
President Bush is the worst President ever.
President (whatever Democrat I vote for - sorry, had to get my plug in) is the worst... .

You get the idea, though I think I just insulted myself.

Answer 8

Actually it was Andrew Johnson who is considered the worst president. He succeeded Lincoln after the assassination but Johnson was a southerner who opposed Reconstruction, Emancipation and giving rights to the former slaves.

Answer 9

Bush is the first American president faced with fighting an ideology as opposed to a nation(s). Totally new paradigm, frought with failure potential. He's giving it his best, but in the current conflict the US does not know its enemy as well as in previous encounters. With the benefit of hindsight, it probably would have been best to stick to going after Taliban without starting new fronts in Iraq.

Answer 10

Thank you for your unveiled support of Mr. Bush! I believe historians will give this man a much better report card than today's democrats!