Governorship of George W. Bush

Last updated
George Bush 45 (49492156502).jpg
Governorship of George W. Bush
January 17, 1995 –December 21, 2000

George W. Bush served as the 46th governor of Texas from 1995 until 2000, when he resigned as governor amid his transition into the U.S. presidency after having been elected president in the 2000 United States presidential election. As governor, Bush successfully sponsored legislation for tort reform, increased education funding, set higher standards for schools, and reformed the criminal justice system. Bush also pioneered faith-based welfare programs and helped make Texas the leading producer of wind powered electricity in the US.

Contents

1994

With his father George H. W. Bush's election to the United States presidency in 1988, speculation had arisen among Republicans that George W. Bush would enter the 1990 Texas gubernatorial election. This was offset by Bush's purchase of the Texas Rangers baseball team and personal concerns regarding his own record and profile. Bush later declared his candidacy for the 1994 election, the same election cycle that his brother Jeb first sought the governorship of Florida. Winning the Republican primary easily, Bush faced incumbent Governor Ann Richards, a popular Democrat who was considered the easy favorite, given Bush's lack of political credentials.

Bush was aided in his campaign by a close coterie of political advisers that included Karen Hughes, a former journalist who was his communications adviser; Joe Allbaugh, who became his campaign manager, and Karl Rove, a personal friend and political activist who is believed to have been a strong influence in encouraging Bush to enter the election. Bush's aides crafted a campaign strategy that attacked Governor Richards' record on law enforcement, her political appointments, and her support of liberal political causes. Bush developed a positive image and message with themes of "personal responsibility" and "moral leadership." His campaign focused on issues such as education (seeking more accountability for schools over student performance), crime, deregulation of the economy, and tort reform. Following an impressive performance in the debates, Bush's popularity grew. [1] He won with 54.1 percent against Richards' 45.9 percent. [2]

1998

As a popular governor, Bush won re-election in a landslide victory with nearly 69 percent of the vote.

He won 49 percent of the Latino vote and 27 percent of the African American vote, becoming the first Texas governor to be elected for two consecutive terms since Dolph Briscoe was re-elected in 1974. [3] Within a year, he had decided to seek the Republican nomination for the Presidency.

Policies

Capital punishment

Under his leadership, Texas executed 154 prisoners, more than any previous governor in modern American history; critics such as Helen Prejean argue that he failed to give serious consideration to clemency requests. [4]

During his tenure, Bush presided over more executions of death row inmates than any other Governor in the history of Texas so far, surpassed only by his successor Rick Perry (Governor from 2000-2015). The rate averages an execution in the state every nine days. [5] The only death penalty case among the 155 that came across George W. Bush's desk in his tenure as Texas Governor in which Governor Bush intervened and commuted the death sentence was that of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.

Fiscal

Seeking to reduce high property taxes to benefit homeowners while increasing general education funding, Bush sought to create business taxes, but faced vigorous opposition from his own party and the private sector. Failing to obtain political consensus for his proposal, Bush used a budget surplus to push through a $2 billion tax-cut plan, which was the largest in Texas history and cemented Bush's credentials as a pro-business fiscal conservative. [6] To pay for the tax cuts, he sought federal approval of a plan to privatize Texas' social services.

Bush also helped make Texas the leading producer of wind powered electricity in the US. [7] [8] In 1996 Bush made wind power a key facet of Texas' renewable energy policy.[ citation needed ] [9] [10] [11] Under a 1999 Texas state law, electric retailers are obliged to buy a certain amount of energy from renewable sources (RPS), [12] [13] [14] [15] This environmentally progressive legislation is a counterpoint to the energy policies of his presidency that favored the status quo. [16] [8]

Social

Bush also pioneered faith-based welfare programs by extending government funding and support for religious organizations providing social services such as education, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and reduction of domestic violence. As governor, he reached out to religious leaders such as Kirbyjon Caldwell (who would later offer the official benediction at Bush's presidential inauguration). He signed a memorandum on April 17, 2000 proclaiming June 10 to be Jesus Day in Texas, a day where he "urge[d] all Texans to answer the call to serve those in need." [17] Although Bush was criticized for allegedly violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"), his initiative was popular with most people across the state, especially religious and social conservatives. In the 1996 United States Presidential Election, Bush criticized Republican nominee Bob Dole for trying to bring Pro-choice advocates into the party. [18]

Education

Bush supported local control of schools, higher educational standards, and an updated academic curriculum. Charter schools mired in financial scandals. There were protests against one test determining a child's promotion. [19]

Appointments

Right after his re-election, Bush named insurance commissioner Elton Bomer, a Democrat from Anderson County in East Texas, as the new Texas Secretary of State. He also appointed Michael L. Williams to the Texas Railroad Commission in 1999 upon the resignation of Carole Keeton Strayhorn (who was known as Carole Keeton Rylander at the time), who resigned following her election as Comptroller of Public Accounts in 1998.

Williams became the first African American to serve in an executive statewide office, and easily won a special election in 2000 for an unexpired term and was re-elected to six-year terms in 2002 and 2008.

Election as president in 2000

President-elect Bush speaks with outgoing president Bill Clinton in the Oval Office on December 19, 2000 President Bill Clinton and President-Elect George W. Bush shake hands during their meeting in the Oval Office (1).jpg
President-elect Bush speaks with outgoing president Bill Clinton in the Oval Office on December 19, 2000

During his presidential transition, Bush resigned from the governorship on December 21, 2000.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George H. W. Bush</span> President of the United States from 1989 to 1993

George Herbert Walker Bush was an American politician, diplomat, and businessman who served as the 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993. A member of the Republican Party, he also served as the 43rd vice president from 1981 to 1989 under Ronald Reagan, and in various other federal positions prior to that.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 United States presidential election</span> 52nd quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1992 United States presidential election was the 52nd quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 1992. Democratic Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas defeated incumbent Republican President George H. W. Bush and independent businessman Ross Perot of Texas. The election marked the end of a period of Republican dominance in American presidential politics that began in 1968, and also marked the end of 12 years of Republican rule of the White House, as well as the end of the Greatest Generation's 32-year American rule and the beginning of the baby boomers' 28-year dominance until 2020. It was the last time the incumbent president failed to win a second term until 2020, when Donald Trump lost the election to Joe Biden; it was the first such occurrence since 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States presidential election</span> 51st quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1988 United States presidential election was the 51st quadrennial presidential election held on Tuesday, November 8, 1988. The Republican nominee, incumbent Vice President George H. W. Bush, defeated the Democratic nominee, Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of George W. Bush</span> U.S. presidential administration from 2001 to 2009

George W. Bush's tenure as the 43rd president of the United States began with his first inauguration on January 20, 2001, and ended on January 20, 2009. Bush, a Republican from Texas and the eldest son of George H. W. Bush, took office following a narrow victory over Democratic incumbent vice president Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. Four years later, in the 2004 presidential election, he defeated Democrat nominee John Kerry to win re-election. Bush was succeeded by Democrat Barack Obama, who won the 2008 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Connally</span> American politician (1917–1993)

John Bowden Connally Jr. was an American politician. He served as the 39th governor of Texas and as the 61st United States Secretary of the Treasury. He began his career as a Democrat and later became a Republican in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George W. Bush 2000 presidential campaign</span> Presidential campaign

The 2000 presidential campaign of George W. Bush, then governor of Texas, was formally launched on June 14, 1999 as Governor Bush, the eldest son of former President George H. W. Bush, announced his intention to seek the Republican Party nomination for the presidency of the United States in the 2000 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Perry</span> American politician (born 1950)

James Richard Perry is an American politician who served as the 14th United States secretary of energy from 2017 to 2019. He previously served as the 47th governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015 and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 and 2016 elections.

"Read my lips: no new taxes" is a phrase spoken by American presidential candidate George H. W. Bush at the 1988 Republican National Convention as he accepted the nomination on August 18. Written by speechwriter Peggy Noonan, the line was the most prominent sound bite from the speech. The pledge not to tax the American people further had been a consistent part of Bush's 1988 election platform, and its prominent inclusion in his speech cemented it in the public consciousness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George P. Bush</span> American businessman and politician

George Prescott Bush is an American politician and attorney who served as the commissioner of the Texas General Land Office from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Bush unsuccessfully campaigned for the party's nomination in the 2022 Texas Attorney General election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Republican National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The 2000 Republican National Convention convened at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 31 to August 3, 2000. The 2000 delegates assembled at the convention nominated Texas Governor George W. Bush for president and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Richard B. "Dick" Cheney for vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Texas gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Texas

The 2006 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006, to elect the governor of Texas. The election was a rare five-way race, with incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry running for re-election against Democrat Chris Bell and Independents Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman, as well as Libertarian nominee James Werner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George W. Bush</span> President of the United States from 2001 to 2009

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 46th governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 Texas gubernatorial election</span> American election

The 1998 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor George W. Bush was re-elected in a landslide over 4-term Democratic Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, winning 68% of the vote to Mauro's 31%. Bush carried 239 counties, while Mauro carried just 15. Exit polls revealed that Bush won 27% of the African-American vote, which was the highest percentage for any Republican statewide candidate, and 49% of the Latino vote. Bush was sworn in for a second term as Governor on January 19, 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karl Rove</span> American political consultant and policy advisor (born 1950)

Karl Christian Rove is an American [liberal |liberal]] political consultant, policy advisor, and lobbyist. He was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush administration until his resignation on August 31, 2007. He has also headed the Office of Democrat Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 United States presidential election in New Jersey</span> Election in New Jersey

In 2000, the United States presidential election in New Jersey, along with every U.S. state and Washington, D.C., took place on November 7, 2000 as part of the 2000 United States presidential election. The major party candidates were Democratic Vice President Al Gore of the incumbent administration and Republican Governor of Texas George W. Bush, son of the 41st U.S. president, George H. W. Bush. Owing to the indirect system of voting used in U.S. presidential elections, George W. Bush narrowly defeated Gore in Electoral College votes despite that Gore earned a higher percentage of the popular vote. Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, the only third-party candidate represented on most states' ballots, came in a distant third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 United States elections</span>

The 1992 United States elections elected state governors, the President of the United States, and members of the 103rd United States Congress. The election took place after the Soviet Union crumbled and the Cold War ended, as well as the redistricting that resulted from the 1990 Census. Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas defeated incumbent President George H. W. Bush and businessman Ross Perot in the presidential election. The Democratic Party maintained their control of both chambers of Congress. This is the first Democratic trifecta since the Republican victory in the 1980 elections and the last one during the 20th century and the last one overall until 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States presidential election in New Mexico</span> Election in New Mexico

The 1988 United States presidential election in New Mexico took place on November 8, 1988. All 50 states and the District of Columbia, were part of the 1988 United States presidential election. State voters chose five electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president. New Mexico was won by incumbent United States Vice President George H. W. Bush of Texas, who was running against Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. Bush ran with Indiana Senator Dan Quayle as Vice President, and Dukakis ran with Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States presidential election in North Dakota</span> Election in North Dakota

The 1988 United States presidential election in North Dakota took place on November 8, 1988. All 50 states and the District of Columbia were part of the 1988 United States presidential election. State voters chose three electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States presidential election in Wyoming</span> Election in Wyoming

The 1988 United States presidential election in Wyoming took place on November 8, 1988. All 50 states and the District of Columbia, were part of the 1988 United States presidential election. State voters chose three electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George H. W. Bush 1992 presidential campaign</span> 1992 presidential campaign of President George H. W. Bush

The 1992 presidential campaign of George H. W. Bush was an unsuccessful re-election campaign for 1992 United States presidential election by incumbent president George H. W. Bush, who had taken office on January 20, 1989. Bush and incumbent vice president Dan Quayle were defeated by Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton and vice presidential nominee Al Gore. Bush, a Republican president and former vice president under Ronald Reagan, launched his presidential bid on October 11, 1991 and secured nomination for his re-election on August 20, 1992. He was challenged in the Republican primaries by former White House Communications Director Pat Buchanan, who received less than one percent of the delegates in the Convention.

References

  1. ↑ Wayne Slater, James Moore (2003). Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential . USA: Wiley. pp.  210. ISBN   0-471-42327-0.
  2. ↑ "Elections of Texas Governors, 1845–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac.;
    "George Bush". MSN Encarta. Archived from the original on 2009-10-31.
  3. ↑ "Texas Gov. George W. Bush wins in landslide". CNN. Associated Press. 1998-11-03. Archived from the original on 2006-05-15. Retrieved 2006-06-30.
  4. ↑ Prejean, Sister Helen. "The New York Review of Books: Death in Texas".{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  5. ↑ "The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins, Bantam Press, London, 2006 p. 291
  6. ↑ Wayne Slater, James Moore (2003). Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential . USA: Wiley. pp.  233–36. ISBN   0-471-42327-0.
  7. ↑ Koronowski, Ryan. It’s Not Just Oil: Wind Power Approaches 8% of Texas Electricity in 2010 Archived 2012-01-13 at the Wayback Machine Repower America, 19 January 2011. Accessed: 24 September 2011.
  8. 1 2 Zgodzinski, Dave (4 December 2012). "George W. Bush: The Hero of US Wind Energy". OilPrice.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. After being forward thinking with his wind initiative in Texas, Mr. Bush was somewhat less pro-renewable energy as President
  9. ↑ Kate Galbraith, Asher Price (2013). The Great Texas Wind Rush. University of Texas Press. p. 121. ISBN   9780292748804. we like wind. Go get smart on wind
  10. ↑ Galbraith, Kate and Price, Asher. A mighty wind Texas Monthly , August 2011. Accessed: 24 September 2011.
  11. ↑ Swift Boats and Texas Wind Archived 2008-07-30 at the Wayback Machine Wind Sector, 28 July 2011. Accessed: 24 September 2011.
  12. ↑ SB7 Law text Texas Legislature Online, May 1999. Accessed: 24 September 2011.
  13. ↑ Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard Texas State Energy Conservation Office. Accessed: 24 September 2011.
  14. ↑ Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard Archived 2008-07-30 at the Wayback Machine Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Accessed: 24 September 2011.
  15. ↑ "Texas passes law for big renewable energy portfolio". www.windpowermonthly.com. 1 July 1999. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017.
  16. ↑ McGrane, Sally (2006-10-10). "The Green Rose of Texas". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  17. ↑ "Jesus Day" (JPEG). Texas State Archives. PBS. 2005-03-11. Retrieved 2006-06-30.
  18. ↑ Herman, Ken (12 June 1996). "Bush critical of Dole, rips Democrats on abortion". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
  19. ↑ "Texas Governor George W. Bush Records: An Introduction to Governor George W. Bush Records Located at the George W. Bush Presidential Library, 1854-2001, undated, bulk 1995-2000".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.