Changes

As the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]] smashed into the banking system and the nation plunged into the [[Recession of 2008]], Bush responded with a massive aid program of $700 billion to banks, and loan guarantees amounting to the trillions of dollars. Conservatives were dismayed, and he left office with the economy spiraling downward as one of the three least popular presidents in 75 years.<ref>The others were [[Harry Truman]] in 1953 and Richard Nixon in 1974.</ref>   

As the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]] smashed into the banking system and the nation plunged into the [[Recession of 2008]], Bush responded with a massive aid program of $700 billion to banks, and loan guarantees amounting to the trillions of dollars. Conservatives were dismayed, and he left office with the economy spiraling downward as one of the three least popular presidents in 75 years.<ref>The others were [[Harry Truman]] in 1953 and Richard Nixon in 1974.</ref>   

Conservatives and libertarians have criticized Bush for greatly increased domestic spending, creating a new entitlement program for prescription drugs, failing to veto a single bill, and expanding both the size and scope of government.  Above all, he made the most dramatic federal interventions in American history by his rescues of the financial system and the automobile industry in 2008.  Bruce Bartlett, a Republican economist, says, "Bush clearly is not a Reaganite or "small c" conservative. Philosophically, he has more in common with liberals."<ref>[http://www.hebookservice.com/products/BookPage.asp?prod_cd=c6872 Former Reagan economist exposes the Bush administration's radical departure from fundamental conservative principles and explains why it may cost the GOP the presidency and its congressional majority], ''Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy''

Conservatives and libertarians have criticized Bush for greatly increased domestic spending, creating a new entitlement program for prescription drugs, failing to veto a single bill, and expanding both the size and scope of government.  Above all, he made the most dramatic federal interventions in American history by his rescues of the financial system and the automobile industry in 2008.  Bruce Bartlett, a Republican economist, says, "Bush clearly is not a Reaganite or "small c" conservative. He made extremely difficult decisions under extraordinary circumstances. Unlike any president before him, he was subjected to an all out attack by liberal aligned groups intent on playing politics. George's last year in office was a combination of Democrat [[Alinsky]] tactics and abandonment by his own Republican party. Also, collapsing financial markets, a direct results of politicians lobbyist deal making, and mistakes by Bush were inevitable. He is a man with convictions that didn't cower from protecting America, putting America first. <ref>See www.honorfreedom.com</ref>

by Bruce Bartlett, [[Human Events]].</ref>

==Early Life==

==Early Life==