George W. Bush

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Gerald Ford greets George W. Bush

George H. W. Bush, Laura Bush, George W. Bush 1997

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George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) 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 previously served as the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Bush is the eldest son of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, and Barbara Bush, making him part of the Bush political family.

Early Life and Education

George W. Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut. He grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas, with four siblings, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. Another younger sister, Robin, died from leukemia at the age of three. His father, George H. W. Bush, embarked on a political career in the 1960s, eventually becoming Vice President and President of the United States. Bush attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, for high school, followed by Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1968. After Yale, he joined the Texas Air National Guard, serving until 1974, and then attended Harvard Business School, where he received a Master of Business Administration in 1975.

Business Career

Before entering politics, Bush embarked on a career in the oil industry in Texas, founding Arbusto Energy in 1977. Despite mixed success in the oil business, he managed to maintain his connections and financial standing, eventually moving into ownership of the Texas Rangers baseball team in 1989, which proved financially successful.

Political Career

Governor of Texas

Bush's political career began in earnest when he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994, defeating incumbent Democrat Ann Richards. He was re-elected in 1998, serving until December 2000. As governor, Bush focused on education reform, tax cuts, and criminal justice issues, laying the groundwork for his presidential campaign.

Presidency

Bush announced his candidacy for the Presidency in 1999 and won a contested Republican primary before narrowly defeating Democratic nominee Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, an outcome decided by the Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore. His presidency was defined by the September 11 attacks in 2001, which led to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bush's policies on terrorism, including the Patriot Act, and his administration's handling of Hurricane Katrina were highly controversial. He was re-elected in 2004, defeating Democratic challenger John Kerry.

Post-Presidency

After leaving office in 2009, Bush returned to Texas and has remained relatively low-profile in terms of politics. He has focused on humanitarian efforts, including work on AIDS in Africa and veterans' issues through the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Legacy

Bush's presidency is marked by significant controversy, particularly regarding his administration's response to the 9/11 attacks, the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the global war on terror. His domestic policies, especially in education and health care, have also been subjects of debate. However, his post-presidential humanitarian work has been widely praised. 0