Is President Bush using his authority to empower his supporters and make them richer?

Answer 1

Cronyism may become the legacy of the Bush administration. The purpose of appointing a crony may not not directly generate riches, but instead cause a failure to tax, oversee, solicit competive bids, or enforce regulations.

Many of his appointees have had the odd distinction of having formerly been antagonistic to the agency that they were put in charge of.

These particular examples indicate that 'loyalty' to Bush overrides ANY other attribute.
* US President George W. Bush was accused of cronyism after the nomination of Harriet Miers to the US Supreme Court. Miers had no previous judicial experience and demonstrated little knowledge of constitutional law, and her selection was rejected by many conservatives and liberals. The appointment of Michael D. Brown to the head of FEMA could also be considered a case of cronyism as Brown had no experience pertaining to his job [1] [2].

* The Bush Administration has been accused of cronyism for granting No-bid contracts to Halliburton for Iraqi Oil.[3]

* The Bush Administration has been accused of cronyism for reducing Scooter Libby's sentence in the Plame Affair; with speculation of a pardon. [4]

Answer 2

Sure he is. But no more-so than Clinton or any other president did.

Answer 3

Duh