I. The 2000 Election
1. A Historic Election
- Close and controversial:
- George W. Bush (Republican, Governor of Texas) vs. Al Gore (Democrat, Clinton’s VP).
- The result depended on Florida: accusations of fraud led to a recount. The Supreme Court stopped the recount, declaring it unconstitutional.
- Bush lost the popular vote but won the presidency—raising concerns about the voting system.
- Context:
- Clinton’s economic success benefitted Gore but was overshadowed by the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
- Social issues dominated over economic concerns during the campaign.
2. Who Was George W. Bush?
- Represented the rise of conservatism.
- Advocated "compassionate conservatism": moral values, religion, fiscal discipline.
- Supported the death penalty, opposed abortion, and reduced funding for pro-abortion NGOs.
- A moderate president early on due to his controversial election win.
II. The Beginning of Bush’s First Term
1. Domestic Policy
- Moderate policies with a mix of conservative and progressive approaches:
- No Child Left Behind Act: Focused on improving education, especially for disadvantaged children.
- Rolled back some welfare programs, cutting government funding but increasing church involvement in social services.
- Fear of an economic slowdown despite low unemployment rates.
2. Foreign Policy
- Initially promoted disengagement in humanitarian actions and emphasized an “America First” agenda.
- Refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.
- Tensions with China arose, reversing Clinton’s efforts to normalize relations.
- Launched airstrikes on Iraq, signaling a continuation of his father’s hardline stance against Saddam Hussein.
III. 9/11 and the War on Terror
1. The 9/11 Attacks
- Four coordinated attacks on U.S. soil:
- Two planes hit the Twin Towers (World Trade Center).
- One plane hit the Pentagon.
- A fourth plane, aimed at the White House, crashed in Pennsylvania (passengers fought back).
- Impact:
- First major attack on U.S. soil since Pearl Harbor (1941).
- G.W. Bush declared a state of war, initiating the War on Terror.
- His popularity surged as Americans rallied behind him during the crisis.
2. The U.S. Response and Hegemony
- War on Terror: Framed as a fight for security and freedom, echoing Cold War logic.
- Two Wars Launched:
- War in Afghanistan (2001):
- Targeted Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
- Backed by the U.N., aimed at nation-building and democracy (largely unsuccessful).
- War in Iraq (2003):
- Launched under false pretenses (claims of Weapons of Mass Destruction, never found).
- Not authorized by the U.N., violating international law.
- Resulted in regional instability, including the rise of ISIS.
- Bush Doctrine: Advocated for preemptive strikes—attacking perceived threats before they materialize.
3. Domestic Implications
- Creation of the Department of Homeland Security: Increased security at borders and introduced stricter immigration laws.
- Focus on protecting American soil from terrorism, introducing the term “homeland security.”
IV. Bush’s Decline
1. Challenges During His Second Term
- Economic Issues:
- Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan pushed the U.S. budget into deficit.
- End of his presidency marked by the 2008 financial crisis (subprime mortgage crisis).
- Hurricane Katrina (2005):
- Bush’s slow response to the disaster in New Orleans damaged his reputation, especially among African Americans.
- Political Fallout:
- Republicans lost the 2006 midterm elections.
- Bush’s approval ratings dropped to 35%, making him a “lame-duck” president.
2. The Imperial Presidency
- Post-9/11 policies allowed Bush to expand presidential powers:
- Unilateralism: Ignored multilateral institutions like the U.N. (e.g., Iraq War).
- Use of torture in facilities like Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.
- Circumvented Congress with signing statements (e.g., limiting the enforcement of anti-torture laws).
- Congress pushed back by declaring signing statements illegal and passing resolutions against further interventions in Iraq.
