|
|
|
Bush takes office, Federal budget debt at $2.8 trillion
Had to try to balance budget and reduce debt without creating new taxes because of his campaign promise "read my lips: no new taxes"
Faced a democratically controlled Congress; Dems wanted to raise taxes, reps wanted to cut domestic spending
compromised with Congress, passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 = cut government spending and raise taxes.
Lost support of hardcore conservatives in Republican party and popularity never fully recovered. This increased challenge he faced from his own party in the upcoming 1992 elections
|
|
|
Americans with Disabilities Act
|
During his "Thousand Points of Light" speech, Bush said, "I am going to do whatever it takes to make sure the disabled have adequate access to places of business and public venue"
One of two significant pieces of domestic legislation he signed
Forbade discrimination based on disability in employment, public accommodations, and transportation. Guaranteed the disabled adequate access to places of business and public venues
Was bipartisan effort in Congress
Signed on July 26th, 1990
Supporters call it Bush's greatest domestic accomplishment, conservatives thought it was too expensive and a betrayal of the Reagan Revolution
|
|
|
|
When Bush took office, relations were beginning to thaw
November 1989 = fall of the Berlin wall
Bush had a muted response which prevented a backlash
(Asked at a press conference about he only said "I am pleased" and "I am not an emotional kind of guy"
December 1989 = Bush and Gorbachev meet at Malta to discuss arms reduction (Nothing signed but seen as an important step to end of cold war)
Another summit held in 1991 in Moscow; Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) signed (Reduced nuclear weapons for SU and US by 35% over seven years ,U's ICBM's to be reduced by 50% )
Soviet Union falls in December 1991
December 25: Gorbachev resigns, new president of Russia Boris Yeltsin calls bush who delivers a Christmas Day speech acknowledging the end of the Cold War.
|
|
|
|
August 2, 1990 = Iraq invades oil-rich Kuwait, violating international law
Saudi Arabia's King Fahd asked Bush and NATO for support as he feared leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, would invade his country too
November 29th, 1990 = UN authorizes "all necessary means" of force against Iraq if it did not leave Kuwait by January 15th
Bush builds and leads coalition of 34 nations including Britain, France, Soviet Union, Japan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia
"Operation Desert Storm" begins on January 17th, 1991. Victory secured less than 2 months later.
Was largest military operation since Vietnam, restored morale in U.S. military, skyrocketed Bush's approval ratings for upcoming 1992 election
|
|
|
|
Born June 8th, 1925
Married George Sr. in 1945; they first met when she was 16
Friendly, forthright manner made her likeable to voters and the press
Special cause = literacy; worked to bring attention and eradicate illiteracy
Said "it is the most important issue we have"
After her husband was sworn in in 1989, she started the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy which she is still active in today
|
|
|
|
Born June 12th, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts
Part of political dynasty - his father and two of his sons had political careers
Family was wealthy but stressed public service and hard work. Student leader at prestigious boarding school
Joined Navy on 18th birthday, became youngest naval aviator, and served in WWII
Went to Yale College - baseball captain, member of Skull and Bones, earned degree in Economics
After he graduated, moved to Texas, became president of offshore oil drilling company, became millionaire, and then started political career.
|
|
|
|
George Bush and Dan Quayle vs. Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen
Campaign focus: continuing Reagan legacy, opposed radical changes
Had to overcome "wimpy image" ; people thought he couldn't handle high and dirty politics because of his fluffy privileged background
Launched aggressive campaign against Dukakis; one of the nastiest campaigns in modern time
Key to Bush's campaign was the use of TV ads which showed Dukakis as too liberal and out of touch with Americans
Most infamous and damaging: "Willie Horton" and tank ad
Dukakis counterattacked too late to ads; couldn't regain popularity
|
|
|
|
Bush's approval ratings = about 84% because Gulf War had successfully ended in March 1991
Many democrats backed down because of Bush's approval ratings; Arkansas governor Bill Clinton along with running mate Al Gore become Democratic party presidential nominees
Surprising third party candidate, billionaire Ross Perot entered race as an Independent; promised to dedicated presidency to patriotism, honesty, and a balanced budget
Biggest issue of campaign was economy as it slowed down and entered into recession
Voters upset Bush had failed to pass legislation to help economy and said his domestic plans lacked vision. His foreign policy accomplishments meant little because America did not have a specific enemy at that time during campaign
Bush's ads attempted to attack Clinton for evading draft, allegedly having affairs, and for having little foreign affair experience but Clinton usually responded the same day making Bush's attacks ineffectual
|
|
|
Thousand Points of Light Speech
|
well-received speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention. Known as the "thousand points of light" speech, it described Bush's vision of America: he endorsed the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer in schools, capital punishment, gun rights, and opposed abortion.[50] The speech at the convention included Bush's famous pledge: "Read my lips: no new taxes."
a thousand points of lights refers to america's clubs and volunteer organizations which bush felt strongly about
saying they are like "a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky."
|
|
|
|
"Oh that vision thing"
said this after a friend urged him during 1988 presidential campaign to think about his plans for presidency
o His lack of vision is probably why his presidency is not that remembered
• Bush failed to contemplate or articulate important policy positions in a compelling and coherent manner.
Has become a political catchphrase for any politician who fails to incorporate a vision in their campaigns
|
