Political positions of George W. Bush

Last updated

George W. Bush's political positions have been expressed in public statements, and through his actions in the executive roles of governor of Texas and president of the United States.

Contents

Economic policy

Fiscal policy and taxation

During his administration, George Bush supported enacting generous tax cuts on the model of Ronald Reagan's supply-side fiscal policies. He believed this would help the economy at large.

Energy policy

George Bush supported nuclear power and expanded domestic drilling. [1] Bush pledged to work toward reduced reliance on foreign oil by reducing fossil fuel consumption and increasing alternative fuel production. [2] He lifted a ban on offshore drilling in 2008, [3] saying at the time, "This means that the only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil reserves is action from the U.S. Congress." [3] Bush had said in June 2008, "In the long run, the solution is to reduce demand for oil by promoting alternative energy technologies. My administration has worked with Congress to invest in gas-saving technologies like advanced batteries and hydrogen fuel cells... In the short run, the American economy will continue to rely largely on oil. And that means we need to increase supply, especially here at home. So my administration has repeatedly called on Congress to expand domestic oil production." [4]

In 2008, Bush announced that the United States would commit $2 billion towards an international fund to promote clean energy technologies, saying, "along with contributions from other countries, this fund will increase and accelerate the deployment of all forms of cleaner, more efficient technologies in developing nations like India and China, and help leverage substantial private-sector capital by making clean energy projects more financially attractive." [5]

Entitlement reform

Bush supports the privatization of Social Security by allowing individuals to set up personal retirement accounts. [6] He also supported the expansion of Medicare to cover prescription drugs using private insurance through his Medicare Part D program. [7]

Free-market capitalism

Bush generally supports free-market capitalism, but claims to understand the importance of government involvements in private financial affairs if they are projected to have a negative impact on the economy as a whole. In November 2008, Bush claimed, "Our aim should not be more government. It should be smarter government." [8]

During the beginning of his first term, Bush enacted corporate tax cuts in the hopes that the economy would flourish as a result. [9] Later, in 2008, Bush supported major bailout plans for mortgage lenders and auto makers who were facing bankruptcy. [10] Bush also enacted the first major economic stimulus in the face of an economy on the down-turn, which handed free checks to all private tax-paying citizens. [11]

Immigration

During his Presidency, Bush supported a temporary-worker program to create a legal path for foreign workers to come into the United States. He opposes amnesty for those that are already in the country illegally, although he says he does not support deporting people that are already here. He has also put a strong emphasis on secure borders and more support for border patrol. [12]

Trade

Bush is a supporter of free trade, calling on nations to embrace free trade. [13]

Health care

Bush supports a free-market health care system, and opposes a universal health plan.

In 2004, Bush planned a health care program that he said would cover as many as 10 million people who lack health insurance at a cost of $102 billion over the next decade. [14]

Foreign policy

Iraq War

On March 19, 2003, Bush ordered an invasion of Iraq, launching the Iraq War. That night, he addressed the nation, stating that his decision to invade Iraq served "to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger". [15] The United States and its allies charged that Saddam Hussein's government possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and thus posed a serious and imminent threat to the security of the United States and its coalition allies. [16] [17] This assessment was supported by the U.K. intelligence services, but not by other countries such as France, Russia and Germany. After the war, extensive searches and investigations revealed that the claimed "weapons of mass destruction" never existed; this was confirmed by the findings reported by multiple international and national commissions. [18] [19] [20]

Axis of evil

In his 2002 State of the Union Address, Bush declared the nations of North Korea, Iran, and Iraq, as well as "their terrorist allies", part of the axis of evil for their alleged support of terrorism. [21] [22]

Homeland security

After the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, President Bush founded the Cabinet Department of Homeland Security. He initially opposed it, [23] [24] [25] [26] arguing that the department placed an unnecessary bureaucratic burden on the U.S. government. [24] Bush changed his mind in June 2002, approving of the proposal; [26] however, its creation was delayed due to disagreements in Congress over labor protection and the role of trade unions in the department. [27] [28] [29] The department was created on November 25, following the passage of the Homeland Security Act.

Civil liberties

Anti-terrorism and domestic surveillance

Bush is a supporter of anti-terrorist surveillance and information-gathering methods. [30] In 2001, he signed into law the Patriot Act, a piece of anti-terrorism regulation that remained in place until its expiration in March of 2020. [30]

Habeas corpus

The November 13, 2001, Presidential Military Order gave the President of the United States the power to detain suspects, suspected of connection to terrorists or terrorism as an unlawful combatant. As such, it was asserted that a person could be held indefinitely without charges being filed against him or her, without a court hearing, and without entitlement to a legal consultant. Many legal and constitutional scholars contended that these provisions were in direct opposition to habeas corpus and the United States Bill of Rights.[ citation needed ]

Gun policy

Although generally an opponent of gun control, Bush has shown support for certain gun-restrictive policies. [31] Following a shooting spree in Atlanta in July 1999, Bush announced his support for a ban on high-capacity magazines and an increase of the legal age for firearms from 18 to 21, calling these "reasonable measures." [31] [32] As governor of Texas, Bush initiated a program to provide Texas handgun owners with free trigger locks in May 2000, and pledged to push for the initiative on a nationwide scale if elected president. [33] [34] [35] In 2003, Bush declared that he would seek a renewal of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban which was due to expire the following year, [36] however it was later reported that he had "seemed disinclined" to push for it in Congress. [37] Bush signed into law the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act in October 2005. [38]

Social policy

Education: No Child Left Behind

President Bush proposed the No Child Left Behind Act on January 23, 2001, just three days after his first inauguration. It was coauthored by Representatives John Boehner (R-OH) and George Miller (D-CA) and Senators Edward "Ted" Kennedy (D-MA) and Judd Gregg (R-NH). The United States House of Representatives passed the bill on May 23, 2001 (voting 384–45), and the United States Senate passed it on June 14, 2001 (voting 91–8). President Bush signed it into law on January 8, 2002.

Abortion

Bush maintains a strong anti-abortion and pro-life stance, consistently opposing abortion while supporting parental notification for minor girls who want abortions, the Mexico City Policy, a ban on intact dilation and extraction (commonly known as partial-birth abortion), adoption tax credits, and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. [39] Running for Congress in 1978, Bush had said that the decision to have an abortion should be a woman's personal decision, but he declared that he was anti-abortion in 1994. [40]

Death penalty

Bush supports the death penalty. As Governor of Texas, he allowed 152 executions. [41] He commuted the sentence of one prisoner on death row, Henry Lee Lucas, on June 15, 1998. [42]

Environment

Bush opposed the Kyoto Protocol, saying that the treaty neglected and exempted 80 percent of the world's population [43] and would have cost tens of billions of dollars per year. [44] Bush announced the Clear Skies Act of 2003, [45] aimed at amending the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through the use of emissions trading programs. The initiative was introduced to Congress, but failed to make it out of committee.

Bush has said that global warming is real [46] and has noted that it is a serious problem, but he asserts there is a "debate over whether it's manmade or naturally caused". [47] He announced plans to reaffirm the United States' commitment to work with major economies, and, through the United Nations, to complete an international agreement that will slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases; he stated, "this agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride." [48]

LGBT issues

Bush opposed same-sex marriage. During his 2004 reelection campaign, he called for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage in the United States but allow for the possibility of civil unions on the state level. [49] He also stated in the famous Wead tapes that he would not "kick gays" and worried his refusal to do so might upset his evangelical supporters, and that "I think it is bad for Republicans to be kicking gays." [50]

Prayer in public schools

Bush supported "voluntary, student-led prayer" but not "teacher-led prayers." [51]

Stem cell research

Bush opposes federal funding for research relating to newly derived embryonic stem cell lines. He supports federal funding for research on pre-existing embryonic stem cell lines. [39] [52]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraq disarmament crisis</span> Early 2000s diplomatic crisis

The Iraq disarmament crisis was claimed as one of the primary issues that led to the multinational invasion of Iraq on 20 March 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Pelosi</span> American politician (born 1940)

Nancy Patricia Pelosi is an American politician who served as the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first woman elected as U.S. House Speaker and the first woman to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress, leading the House Democrats from 2003 to 2023. A member of the House since 1987, Pelosi currently represents California's 11th congressional district, which includes most of San Francisco. She is the dean of California's congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of George W. Bush</span> U.S. 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, took office following his narrow Electoral College victory over Democratic incumbent vice president Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, in which he lost the popular vote to Gore by 543,895 votes. Four years later, in the 2004 presidential election, he narrowly defeated Democrat nominee John Kerry, to win re-election and winning the popular vote. Bush served two terms and was succeeded by Democrat Barack Obama, who won the 2008 presidential election. He is the eldest son of the 41st president, George H. W. Bush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Warner</span> American lawyer and politician (1927–2021)

John William Warner III was an American lawyer and politician who served as the United States Secretary of the Navy from 1972 to 1974 and as a five-term Republican U.S. Senator from Virginia from 1979 to 2009. He served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee from 1999 to 2001, and from 2003 to 2007. Warner also served as the chairman of the Senate Rules Committee from 1995 to 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Carper</span> American politician (born 1947)

Thomas Richard Carper is an American politician and former military officer serving as the senior United States senator from Delaware, having held the seat since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Carper served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993 and was the 71st governor of Delaware from 1993 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Reed (Rhode Island politician)</span> American politician (born 1949)

John Francis "Jack" Reed is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Rhode Island, a seat he was first elected to in 1996. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representative for Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district from 1991 to 1997. Reed graduated from the United States Military Academy and Harvard University, serving in the U.S. Army as an active officer from 1971 to 1979. He is the dean of Rhode Island's congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Shays</span> American politician (born 1945)

Christopher Hunter Shays is an American politician. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives as representative of the 4th District of Connecticut. He is a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Larsen</span> American politician (born 1965)

Richard Ray Larsen is an American politician serving as the United States representative for Washington's 2nd congressional district since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Larsen is the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The main event by far shaping the United States foreign policy during the presidency of George W. Bush (2001–2009) was the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, and the subsequent war on terror. There was massive domestic and international support for destroying the attackers. With UN approval, US and NATO forces quickly invaded the attackers' base in Afghanistan and drove them out and the Taliban government that harbored them. It was the start of a 20-year quagmire that finally ended in failure with the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domestic policy of the George W. Bush administration</span>

The domestic policy of the George W. Bush administration was the domestic policy of the United States from 2001 to 2009 while George W. Bush was president. Bush's main domestic policy advisors include Chairman of the Council of Economic Affairs Edward Lazear, Rob Portman, director of the Office of Management and Budget; U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Vice President Dick Cheney; U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson; U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez; U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O. Leavitt and Allan Hubbard, director of the National Economic Council.

<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 and businessman who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, he also served as the 46th governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political positions of Joe Lieberman</span>

Joe Lieberman was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. He was an Independent prior to his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 State of the Union Address</span> Speech by US president George W. Bush

The 2002 State of the Union Address was given by the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, on January 29, 2002, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 107th United States Congress. It was Bush's first State of the Union Address and his second speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Dennis Hastert, accompanied by Dick Cheney, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.

Joe Biden, President of the United States, served as Vice President from 2009 to 2017 and in the United States Senate from 1973 until 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, he made his second presidential run in 2008, later being announced as Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's running mate in 2008. He was elected vice president in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. In April 2019, Biden announced his 2020 presidential campaign. He became the presumptive Democratic nominee in April 2020, was formally nominated by the Democratic Party in August 2020, and defeated Republican incumbent Donald Trump in the November 2020 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Lieberman 2004 presidential campaign</span> American political campaign

The 2004 presidential campaign of Joe Lieberman, the long-time United States senator from Connecticut and the vice-presidential nominee under Al Gore in the previous election, began on January 13, 2003, when he announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination as a candidate in the 2004 presidential election. Describing his presidential hopes, Lieberman opined that his historically hawkish stance would appeal to voters. Prior to his defeat in New Hampshire, Lieberman famously declared his campaign was picking up "Joementum". On February 3, 2004, Lieberman withdrew his candidacy after failing to win any of the five primaries or two caucuses held that day. He acknowledged to the Hartford Courant that his support for the war in Iraq was a large part of his undoing with voters. Lieberman's former running candidate Al Gore did not support Lieberman's presidential run, and in December 2003 endorsed Howard Dean's candidacy, saying "This is about all of us and all of us need to get behind the strongest candidate [Dean]."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political positions of John McCain</span>

U.S. Senator John McCain, a Republican Party politician from Arizona who was a member of the U.S. Congress from 1983 until his death in office in 2018, a two-time U.S. presidential candidate, and the nominee of the Republican Party in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, took positions on many political issues through his public comments, his presidential campaign statements, and his senatorial voting record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political positions of Harry Reid</span>

Former United States Senator Harry Reid declared his position on many political issues through his public comments and his senatorial voting record.

The platform of the Democratic Party of the United States is generally based on modern liberalism, contrasting with the conservatism of the Republican Party. The party generally sits on the center-left of the American political spectrum. Currently, the party has large centrist and progressive wings, as well as smaller fiscal conservative and democratic socialist elements.

The platform of the Republican Party of the United States has historically since 1912 been based on American conservatism, contrasting with the modern liberalism of the Democratic Party. The positions of the Republican Party have evolved over time. Currently, the party's fiscal conservatism includes support for lower taxes, gun rights, government conservatism, free market capitalism, free trade, deregulation of corporations, and restrictions on labor unions. The party's social conservatism includes support for gun rights outlined in the Second Amendment, the death penalty, and other traditional values, often with a Christian foundation, including restrictions on abortion. In foreign policy, Republicans usually favor increased military spending, strong national defense, and unilateral action. Other Republican positions include opposition to illegal immigration, drug legalization, pornography and affirmative action, as well as support for school choice, and school prayer.

The following is a timeline of the presidency of George W. Bush, from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002.

References

  1. ↑ David E. Sanger (May 17, 2001). "In energy plan, Bush urges new drilling, conservation and nuclear power review". The New York Times . Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  2. ↑ "President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address". georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  3. 1 2 "Bush lifts executive ban on offshore oil drilling". CNN. July 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  4. ↑ "President Bush Discusses Energy". The White House. June 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  5. ↑ "Increasing Our Energy Security And Confronting Climate Change". The White House.
  6. ↑ Dugas, Christine (September 3, 2004). "Bush renews call for privatization". USA Today.
  7. ↑ Bruce Bartlett (19 November 2013). "Medicare Part D: Republican Budget-Busting". The New York Times . Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  8. ↑ Mahnoush H. Arsanjani, et al. (ed.), Looking to the Future, BRILL, 2010, p. 281.
  9. ↑ "Bush Tax Cuts". Investopedia . Archived from the original on August 16, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  10. ↑ "TIMELINE: Crisis on Wall Street". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Bush signs stimulus bill; rebate checks expected in May". CNN . Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  12. ↑ "President Bush Addresses the Nation on Immigration Reform". George W. Bush White House Archives. May 15, 2006.
  13. ↑ McDonnell, Patrick J. (November 23, 2008). "Bush promotes free trade at Asia-Pacific summit in Peru". The Boston Globe.
  14. ↑ Connolly, Ceci (August 22, 2004). "Bush Health Care Plan Seems to Fall Short". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  15. ↑ "President Bush Addresses the Nation" (Press release). Office of the Press Secretary. 2003-03-19. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  16. ↑ Center for American Progress (January 29, 2004) "In Their Own Words: Iraq's 'Imminent' Threat" Archived 2012-06-25 at the Wayback Machine americanprogress.org
  17. ↑ "Sen. Nelson on the Purported Iraqi UAV Threat to America". irp.fas.org. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  18. ↑ "Britain Releases Pre-Iraq War Dossier Used by Tony Blair". Associated Press via Foxnews.com. 2008-02-18.
  19. ↑ Bernstein, Richard; Michael R. Gordon (2006-03-02). "German help on Iraq lasted months". International Herald Tribune.
  20. ↑ Dougherty, Jill (2004-06-18). "Russia 'warned U.S. about Saddam'". CNN.
  21. ↑ "Text of President Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address". The Washington Post . January 29, 2002. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  22. ↑ "2002 State of the Union Address". C-SPAN . January 29, 2002.
  23. ↑ "RITTGERS: Abolish the Department of Homeland Security". The Washington Times . September 16, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  24. 1 2 Fred Kaplan (July 22, 2020). "Break Up the Department of Homeland Security". Slate . Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Bush to Sign Homeland Security Bill". Government Technology . November 25, 2002. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  26. 1 2 "Bush signs Homeland Security law". University of Baltimore . November 26, 2002. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Talks on Homeland Security Bill Delayed". The Washington Post . October 3, 2002. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Bush's Security Bill Foes Give Up". Los Angeles Times . November 13, 2002. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Bush, GOP leaders prevail on homeland bill labor rules". Government Executive . November 13, 2002. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Text: Bush Signs Anti-Terrorism Legislation". The Washington Post . October 25, 2001. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  31. 1 2 "Bush, Usually Opponent of Gun Control, Backs 2 Restrictions Proposed in Congress". The New York Times . August 28, 1999. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Bush Backs Some Gun Control". Associated Press . August 28, 1999. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  33. ↑ "THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE GUN ISSUE; Bush Offers Texas Handgun Owners Free Trigger Locks". The New York Times . May 13, 2000. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Bush to provide free gun locks". United Press International . May 12, 2000. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Bush Announces Free Gun Trigger Lock Program". Los Angeles Times . May 13, 2000. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Irking N.R.A., Bush Supports The Ban on Assault Weapons". The New York Times . May 8, 2003. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  37. ↑ "How Congress Screwed Up And Let The Assault Weapons Ban Expire". Business Insider . December 16, 2012. Archived from the original on December 17, 2012.
  38. ↑ "Statement on S. 397, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act"". The White House. October 26, 2005.
  39. 1 2 "George W. Bush on the Issues". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  40. ↑ Corn, David. "Bush's Abortion Flip-Flop? | The Nation". The Nation. ISSN   0027-8378 . Retrieved 2018-12-03.
  41. ↑ "Executed Offenders". Archived from the original on 2006-11-08. Retrieved 2006-11-08.
  42. ↑ "Offenders No Longer on Death Row". Archived from the original on 2010-07-25. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  43. ↑ "Letter from the President to Senators Hagel, Helms, Craig, and Roberts". Office of the Press Secretary. March 13, 2001.
  44. ↑ "Summary of the Kyoto Report—Assessment of Economic Impacts". Energy Information Administration. July 16, 2002. Archived from the original on May 23, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Executive Summary—The Clear Skies Initiative". The White House. February 14, 2002. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  46. ↑ "Interview with President Bush". White House Transcript. Politico. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-14. Q. Mr. President, for the record, is global warming real? A. Yes, it is real, sure is.
  47. ↑ "Press Conference". The White House. June 26, 2006. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  48. ↑ Reuters/AFP (January 29, 2008). "State of the Union:Bush fights for spotlight". Archived from the original on July 18, 2008.{{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  49. ↑ "Bush amendment proposal prompts strong reaction". CNN. February 25, 2004. Archived from the original on October 11, 2010.
  50. ↑ Kirkpatrick, David D. (2005-02-20). "In Secretly Taped Conversations, Glimpses of the Future President". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  51. ↑ Positions of the Republican and Democratic party on public school prayer
  52. ↑ Bush, George W. (2010). Decision Points . New York: Crown Publishers. pp.  117–19. ISBN   978-0-307-59061-9.
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.