George Bush what a party. Personal life of George Bush

George W. Bush is a Republican and the 43rd President of the United States. He was elected to this post twice, taking office for the first time in 2001. The period of his presidential powers ended in 2009. 8 years of his reign were marked by the beginning of the US war against terrorism in the world (which resulted in 2 large-scale military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan), the introduction the famous phrase “axis of evil”, a large-scale reduction in the tax burden for Americans, the crisis mortgage lending, which entailed a global liquidity crisis, in addition, unsurpassed statements, popularly called “Bushisms.”

Childhood

George Walker Bush was born in New Haven on July 6, 1946 in the family of George Herbert Walker and his father, a student at that time, later became the director of the CIA, as well as the 41st president of the United States. The boy spent his childhood in Texas, in the cities of Houston and Midland.

Education

George W. Bush was sent to a boarding school for boys (Phillips Academy) in Massachusetts at the age of fifteen; After graduating, he followed in his father's footsteps by attending Yale University. There he studied mediocrely, but in 1968 he still received a bachelor's degree.

Career

After completing his training, George W. Bush joined the Texas National Guard. There he served as an Air Force pilot until 1973. The next 2 years were spent studying in where he graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree. He then returned to Midland, after which he went into business. At the same time, unlike his father, he failed to succeed in the oil business: he brought his already small business almost to bankruptcy. Quite serious problems with alcohol had a certain influence here - they accompanied George W. Bush until his fortieth birthday.

1986

The future president's life changed dramatically in 1986. Then he put an end to his alcohol addiction, after which his business slowly went uphill (Bush admits that his life until the age of 40 lacked focus). Then he managed to agree on the merger of his company with another, larger one, on terms favorable to him. Together with partners in 1989, he acquired the Texas Rangers (baseball club). Investment in this purchase in the amount of 600 thousand dollars borrowed money a few years later they brought him 15 million dollars.

Governor of Texas

Soon, George W. Bush was also able to succeed in the political field: in 1994 he was elected governor of Texas, and 4 years later he was re-elected to the same post. George Bush in 1999 announced his desire to run for president of the country. A year later, he won a highly controversial election that included lengthy legal battles and a controversial recount of the votes received.

President of the U.S.A

The new president's initial program was focused on US domestic policy and included large-scale education reform and tax cuts. The focus of his presidential administration shifted dramatically after 2001, when the deadliest terrorist attack in world history occurred on September 11. President George W. Bush then declared a “war on terror.” After this, in 2001, an operation was carried out in Afghanistan, which ended with the overthrow of the Taliban regime. It is worth noting that the foreign policy of George W. Bush was then carried out on the basis of the “Bush Doctrine,” which implied unilateral actions without approval by the international community and the delivery of preventive strikes against the enemy. Bush's anti-terrorism policy also developed within the country itself, after which the powers of law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies were significantly expanded.

Domestic policy of George W. Bush

Bush in the country's domestic policy advocated reducing interference in the life of society executive power. The fact that the president understood the international situation very poorly, constantly became an object of ridicule, did not hinder his popularity and even served as a basis for comparing him with Ronald Reagan. The president's domestic political program was very attractive to different groups voters. In addition to the reduction, he also put forward a number of initiatives in the field of education and pensions, which were considered the “strong point” of the Democrats.

Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, US troops entered Iraq, which, according to George W. Bush, was part of the “axis of evil” along with Iran and North Korea. It is worth noting that the basis for the attack was information that the Saddam Hussein regime has weapons mass destruction. But in the end this was not confirmed. In May 2003, the combat phase of the operation ended, but no decisive success was achieved in the post-war settlement.

Significant elements of Bush's policy also include multilateral consultations regarding nuclear program China, as well as participation in resolving the conflict in Israel. Bush was able to establish friendly relations with Vladimir Putin, Russian President, but this did not lead to a resolution of the contradictions existing between Russia and the United States.

Second presidential term

George W. Bush, whose policies were constantly criticized abroad and domestically, was re-elected to a second term in 2004, defeating the Democratic senator. During the 2nd Bush administration, the main directions of the country's policy did not undergo significant changes. He continued the fight against terrorism in the country, as well as the policy of reducing taxes. In foreign policy, the President tried to overcome the emerging differences with his European allies, which arose due to US actions in Iraq. In 2005, Bush attended the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Victory in Moscow. By the end of 2005, observers noted a significant decline in his level of popularity among Americans, which was mainly due to his policies regarding Iraq.

Lebanese-Israeli conflict

The Lebanese-Israeli conflict that occurred in 2006 became another cause of disagreement with European allies: the United States supported Israel without joining the demands for a ceasefire. George W. Bush, US President, considered the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel as part of the war on terrorism.

In 2006 she lost at midterm elections, after which the Democrats gained control of both houses of Congress. Bush, bowing to their pressure, was forced to dismiss the Pentagon's most unpopular minister. Observers largely expected a change in Iraqi strategy, including a troop withdrawal, but in 2007 the president announced the deployment of new forces.

Relations with Russia

It should be noted that 2007 was marked by an increase in tension in relations between Russia and the United States: the leadership of our country, headed by V.V. Putin criticized the American foreign policy course, including the possibility of deploying a missile defense system on the territory of Eastern European countries.

During the period of hostilities in South Ossetia Bush condemned Russian actions, calling Russia's military intervention a "disproportionate" use of force, and also threatened our country with international isolation, as well as exclusion from the so-called G8. At the same time, Bush considered the news of the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia irresponsible and condemned Russian side and urged her to reconsider this decision.

Bush supported John McCain for president in 2008. But McCain lost to Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee.

George W. Bush, whose biography is described in this article, officially left the presidency on January 20, 2009, when the 44th, new President of the United States was sworn in in Washington during his inauguration.

Personal qualities

Among George Bush's personal qualities, he was distinguished unique ability to seek a compromise - he demonstrated it even during his governorship. Bush, adhering to conservative views, avoided extremes. What he lacked in knowledge regarding political issues, he ably compensated for with his personal charm, and this played a major role in his tremendous electoral success. George is married and the father of 2 twin daughters.

George Herbert Walker Bush. Born June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts - died November 30, 2018 in Houston. 41st President of the United States (1989-1993), Vice President under Ronald Reagan (1981-1989), Congressman, diplomat, director Central Intelligence, father of the 43rd US President George W. Bush.

George Herbert Walker Bush was born in Massachusetts to the family of senator and New York banker Prescott Bush and Dorothy Walker Bush.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, at the age of 17, Bush delayed going to college and became the youngest aviator in the US Navy at the time. He served until the end of the war, then entered Yale University. After graduating in 1948, he moved with his family to West Texas, where he started the oil business, becoming a millionaire by the age of 40.

Bush entered politics immediately after creating his own oil company, becoming a member of the House of Representatives, as well as holding other positions. He ran unsuccessfully in the party's 1980 presidential bid, but was chosen as Ronald Reagan's running mate for vice president, and the pair won the election. During his tenure, Bush headed the administration's task force on market deregulation and drug control.

In 1988, Bush successfully launched his presidential campaign, defeating Democratic opponent Michael Dukakis. international politics Bush, marked by military operations carried out in Panama, the Philippines and Persian Gulf, fall Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the USSR two years later. On domestic policy, Bush went back on his 1988 word and, after a fight in Congress, signed a tax increase that Congress approved. Due to economic problems, Bush lost the 1992 presidential election to Democrat Bill Clinton.

Bush is the father of George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, and Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida. He is the last president in the world to fight in World War II.

George Herbert Walker Bush was born at 173 Adam Street in Milton, Massachusetts on June 12, 1924. Bush's family moved from Milton to Greenwich, Connecticut, shortly after his birth. Bush began his education at Greenwich District Day School. Beginning in 1936, he attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he held numerous leadership positions, including senior class president and student council secretary, president of the fundraising society, member of the editorial board of the school newspaper, and captain of sports teams. baseball and football.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Bush decided to join the US Navy, so after graduating from Phillips Academy in early 1942, he became a naval aviator at age 18. After completing the 10-month course, he becomes junior officer in the US Navy Reserve at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (Texas), June 9, 1943, 3 days after his 19th birthday, making him the youngest naval aviator at the time.

He was assigned to Torpedo Bomber Squadron (VT-51) as a photography officer in September 1943. The following year, his squadron was stationed on the USS San Jacinto as part of a carrier strike force. There, Bush received the nickname “Skin” for his thin physique. During this time, Carrier Force 51 achieved a number of victories in the air-sea battle of World War II: the Battle of the Marianas.

Following Bush's promotion to the rank of second lieutenant, the USS San Jacinto began operations against the Japanese in the Bonin Islands on 1 August. Bush piloted the Avenger torpedo bomber from squadron VT-51, which attacked Japanese military installations on the island of Chichijima. His crew for this operation, which took place on September 2, 1944, included gunner-radio operator John Delaney and navigator, Second Lieutenant William White. During their attack, Lt. Bush's Avenger came under intense anti-aircraft fire and was hit, its engine catching fire. Despite the plane's fire, Bush carried out his mission and dropped bombs on his target, causing some destruction. With his engine on fire, Bush flew several miles from the island, where he and other members of his crew bailed out of the plane. Others' parachutes did not open. It was not determined who jumped out with Bush, as Delaney and White were killed during the battle. Bush waited 4 hours on an inflatable raft while several fighter jets circled overhead for protection until he was rescued by the submarine Finback. In the following months he remained on the Finback and participated in the rescue of other pilots.

Bush subsequently returned to the San Jacinto in November 1944 and participated in operations in the Philippines until his squadron was relieved and sent home to the United States. During 1944, he served in 58 battles and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and a Presidential Citation for San Jocinto.

Because of his valuable combat experience, Bush was assigned to Naval Station Norfolk and assigned new torpedo pilots to the wing. He was later assigned as a naval aviator to the new torpedo bomber squadron VT-153. Following Japan's surrender, Bush was honorably discharged in September 1945.

Bush was accepted to Yale University before enlisting and accepted the offer after his discharge and marriage. At Yale, he enrolled in an accelerated program that allowed him to graduate in 2.5 years instead of 4 years. He was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was elected president. He also captained the Yale baseball team and was a first baseman who played in the first two World University Championships. As team captain, Bush met Babe Ruth before playing as a senior. Later in his youth, like Father Prescott Bush, he was initiated into secret society Skull and Bones. He graduated from Yale as a member of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity in 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.

After graduating from Yale, Bush moved with his family to West Texas. His father's business connections proved useful when he ventured into the oil business as a sales executive for Dresser Industries, a subsidiary of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. His father served on the board of directors there for 22 years. Bush created the Bush-Overby Oil Exploration Company in 1951 and two years later co-founded the Zapata Corporation, an oil company operating in the Texas Permian oil basin. He was appointed in 1954 president of Zapata Offshore Company, a subsidiary that specialized in offshore production. The company became independent in 1958, so Bush moved its headquarters from Midland, Texas, to Houston. Until 1964, he was the president of the company, and in 1964-66 - chairman of the board of directors. By this time, Bush had become a millionaire.

Bush was the Republican Party chairman for Harris County, Texas, in 1964, but wanting to be more involved in politics, he nominated himself for the Texas Senate. After winning the Republican primary, Bush faced his opponent, Democrat Ralph Yaborow. Yaborow criticized Bush as a right-wing extremist, and Bush lost the general election. Bush's colleague, Jack Crichton of Dallas, lost more large quantity votes in the same election to Governor John Conelly. Busch and Crichton sometimes shared the same podium during the campaign.

Bush did not give up politics and was elected in 1966 to the House of Representatives from the 7th Congressional District of Texas. Defeating Democrat Frank Briscoe with 57% of the vote, he became the first Republican to represent Houston. His votes in the House of Representatives were generally conservative: Bush opposed the public accommodations debate of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and supported open voting, generally unpopular in his district. He supported the Nixon administration's policies in Vietnam, but did not agree with the Republicans on the issue of birth control. Despite his first term in the House, Bush was appointed to the powerful Congressional Budget Committee, where he voted to end compulsory conscription. He was elected to a second term in 1968.

In 1970, Nixon persuaded Bush to resign his House seat so he could again run for a Senate seat against Ralph Yarborough, a harsh critic of Nixon. In the Republican primary, Bush easily defeated conservative Robert Morris by 87.6% to 12.4%. However, former Congressman Lloyd Bentsen, a more moderate Democrat and native of Mission, south Texas, defeated Yarborough in the Democratic primary. Yarborough then endorsed Bentsen, who defeated Bush by a margin of 53.4% ​​to 46.6%. Nixon came to Texas to campaign in Longview in support of Bush and his colleague Paul Eggers, a Dallas lawyer who was a close friend of Senator John Tower.

After losing the election in 1970, Bush became well known as an ardent Republican businessman from the Sun Belt, a group of states in the southern part of the country. Nixon noticed and appreciated Bush's sacrifice in losing his seat in Congress and appointed him permanent representative to the UN. He was unanimously confirmed by the Senate and served at the UN for two years, starting in 1971.

In the middle of the Watergate scandal, Nixon asked Bush to become chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1973. Bush accepted the offer and took the position when Nixon and the Republican Party's popularity was plummeting. He devotedly defended Nixon, but later, when Nixon's involvement became clear, Bush concentrated on defending Republican Party, while maintaining loyalty to Nixon. As chairman, Bush formally demanded that Nixon eventually resign for the good of the Republican Party. After Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, Bush wrote in his diary: “There was an atmosphere of despondency, as if someone had died... The speech weighed on Nixon - a blow or two in the press - a monstrous strain. No one could help, everyone looked at the family and things in general, thought about his achievements and then about the shame... truly, a new spirit - a new rise."

Gerald Ford, Nixon's successor, appointed Bush head of the US liaison office with China. People's Republic. Because the United States at the time maintained official ties with the Republic of China on Taiwan rather than the People's Republic of China, the Liaison Office did not have official embassy status, and Bush was not formally an "ambassador," although he was unofficially one. The time he spent in China - 14 months - turned out to be very beneficial for US-China relations.

After Ford assumed the presidency, Bush was seriously considered as a candidate for the position of vice president. Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Bush, who, with the support of his supporters, was reported to have launched an internal campaign to become the nominee. Ford eventually narrowed his list to Nelson Rockefeller and Bush. However, White House Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld reportedly chose Rockefeller over Bush. Rockefeller was eventually appointed and confirmed.

In 1976, Ford brought Bush back to Washington, appointing him director of the CIA. He served in this capacity for 357 days from January 30, 1976 to January 20, 1977. The CIA was reeling from a series of revelations, including the Church Committee investigation into illegal and unauthorized CIA activities, and Bush was entrusted with restoring the agency's reputation. While in office, Bush gave a briefing on national security with Jimmy Carter as a presidential candidate and elected president, and discussed the possibility of remaining in this position under Carter, but this did not happen.

After leaving the CIA, Bush became chairman executive committee First International Bank in Houston. In 1978, the Joan School of Business opened at Rice University, and Bush was invited there as an associate professor of administrative sciences. Bush worked at the School for a year and later said of this period: “I loved that short time in the academic world.” From 1977-79, he also served as director of the Council on Foreign Relations, an international policy organization.

In the late 70s, Bush decided that he was ready to run for the 1980 presidential election. During the 1979 election campaign, he attended 850 political events and traveled more than 400,000 km. Bush put forward his extensive government experience as his main trump card. His competitors were Senator Howard Baker of Tennessee, Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, Congressman John Andersen of Illinois (who would later become an independent), Congressman Phil Crane, also of Illinois, former governor John Connelly is a Texas Republican favorite, former actor and governor of California.

In the primaries, Bush focused almost entirely on the Iowa Caucus, while Reagan ran a more traditional campaign. Bush represented the centrist wing, while Reagan represented the conservatives. Bush caustically called Reagan's plan for deep tax cuts to stimulate the supply of goods "voodoo economics." His strategy was sound enough to help him win Iowa with 31.5% of the vote to Reagan's 29.4%. As a result of his loss, Reagan replaced his campaign manager, reorganized his headquarters, and concentrated on the New Hampshire primary. The two candidates agreed to host a debate in the state, organized by the Nashua Telegraph and paid for by the Reagan campaign. Reagan also invited four other candidates, but Bush refused to debate them and they eventually left. The most memorable moment of the debate was the decision of referee John Breen to turn off Reagan's microphone, to which he angrily replied: "I'm paying for this microphone, Mr. Breen." Bush lost the New Hampshire primary by 23% to Reagan's 50%. Bush also lost most of the remaining primaries and formally dropped out of the race in May.

With a seemingly bleak political future, Bush sold his home in Houston and bought his grandfather's estate in Kennebunkport, Maine, known as Walker's Point. At the Republican National Convention, however, Reagan selected Bush as his vice presidential running mate, giving him the winning 1980 Republican presidential ticket.

As vice president, Bush engaged in generally low-profile work, recognizing the constitutional limitations of his office. He avoided making decisions and criticizing Reagan at all costs. He and his wife moved into the Vice President's residence in Observatory District One, about two miles from the White House. The Bush family attended a large number of social and formal events due to their status, including many funerals, which became a running joke among comedians. Mrs. Bush found the funeral quite rewarding, saying, "George met many current and future heads of state at the funerals he attended, allowing him to forge personal relationships that were useful to President Reagan." As President of the Senate, Bush remained in touch with members of Congress and kept the President informed of all developments on Capitol Hill.

On March 30, 1981, an assassination attempt was made on Reagan in Washington, as a result of which he was seriously injured. Bush was in Dallas at the time and returned to Washington immediately. Reagan's office was convened at the White House, where they discussed various issues, including the efficiency of nuclear briefcase. When Bush's plane landed, his aides advised him to go straight to The White house by helicopter, because they needed the image of a functioning government, despite the assassination attempt. Bush rejected the advice, replying, "Only the President can land on the South Lawn." This had a positive effect on Reagan, who recovered and returned to work within two weeks. From then on, they regularly dined in the Oval Office on Thursdays.

Bush was appointed by Reagan to head two special commissions: on deregulation and the fight against international drug trafficking. The special commission reviewed hundreds of regulations, making specific recommendations on which ones to add and which ones to revise in order to reduce the size of the federal government. The Drug Enforcement Task Force coordinated federal efforts to reduce the amount of drugs entering the United States. Both commissions were popular among conservatives, and Bush, a moderate, began courting them through his work.

Represented the United States at the funeral in November 1982 in Moscow.

Reagan and Bush ran for re-election in 1984. Democratic opponent Walter Mondale chose New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his vice presidential candidate for the first time. She and Bush held the only televised vice presidential debate. Bush represented the Ivy League, while Ferraro represented the blue-collar district of Queens, New York; this, coupled with his high popularity among female journalists, put Bush at a disadvantage. However, the Reagan-Bush pair won a complete victory over the Mondale-Ferraro pair.

At the start of his second term as vice president, Bush and his aides planned to run for the 1988 presidential election. At the end of 1985, the committee was formed and raised over two million dollars for Bush. Bush became the first vice president to officially serve as acting president when Reagan underwent surgery on July 13, 1985, to remove polyps from his intestines. Bush acted as president for 8 hours.

The administration was rocked by scandal in 1986 when it was revealed that administration officials had secretly sold weapons to Iran and used the proceeds to finance the anti-communist group Contras in Nicaragua, in direct violation of the law. When the Iran-Contra affair hit the press, Bush, like Reagan, said he was unaware of the hidden funds, although this was later questioned. An assessment of public opinion at the time indicated that the public doubted Bush's explanation that he was an "innocent bystander" when the transactions occurred. This formed the opinion that he is a coward. However, his outburst during an interview with Dan Rafer on CBS television restored Bush's lost reputation.

As vice president, Bush officially opened the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis.

Bush had been planning to run for president since 1985, and entered the Republican primary for president in October 1987. His competitors for the Republican presidential nomination included Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, Congressman Jack Kemp of New York, former Gov. Pete DuPont of Delaware and conservative Christian televangelist Pat Robertson.

Viewed as the front-runner, Bush, however, finished third in Iowa behind winner Dole and Robertson. Following Reagan's example in 1980, Bush reorganized his headquarters and concentrated on the New Hampshire primary. With Dole leading the way in New Hampshire, Bush launched a television campaign portraying the senator as a proponent of tax increases. Bush returned to victory in the state primary. Bush continued his winning ways, winning many primaries in southern states. When caucus primaries (such as Super Thursday) began, Bush's organizational strength and fundraising leadership proved too much for the other candidates, and he became the Republican nominee.

In the run-up to the 1988 Republican National Convention, there was much speculation about who Bush would choose as his running mate. Bush chose little-known conservative-backed Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana. Despite Reagan's popularity, Bush trailed Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis, then governor of Massachusetts, in many polls.

Bush, who was sometimes criticized for his lack of oratorical skills compared to Reagan, gave a powerful speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention. The speech, known as "A Thousand Colors of Light," described Bush's vision for America: he endorsed the Pledge of Allegiance, school prayer, death penalty, gun rights and his opposition to abortion. The convention speech contained Bush's famous vow: "Read my lips: no new taxes."

The general election campaign between the two candidates has been described as one of the nastiest in history. modern history. Bush criticized Dukakis for polluting Boston Harbor as governor of Massachusetts. Bush also emphasized that Dukakis opposed a law that required all candidates to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, a topic well covered in Bush's speech.

Dukakis's unequivocal opposition to the Pledge of Allegiance led to a provocative question during the presidential debate. Moderator Bernard Shaw asked Dukakis, hypothetically, whether he would support the death penalty if his wife Kitty were raped and murdered. Dukakis responded that he had not, as did the Willie Horton ad, which contributed to Bush's characterization of him as "forgiving of wrongdoing."

Bush defeated Dukakis and his vice presidential running mate, Lloyd Bentsen, in the US Electoral College by 426 votes to 111 (Bentsen received one vote from the traitorous elector). Nationally, Bush won 53.4% ​​of the popular vote to Dukakis' 45.6%. Bush became the first vice president since 1836 to become president by winning the election. He also became the first elected president since 1929 whose predecessor belonged to the same party.

During the campaign, there was a scandal related to the release of data about those involved in the campaign Nazi leaders- emigrants from countries former allies Germany in World War II.

Bush was inaugurated on January 20, 1989, succeeding Ronald Reagan. He received the office at a time of great change in the world; the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the USSR, which occurred at the beginning of his presidency. He gave the order to military operation in Panama and the Persian Gulf, and had a very high trust rating among the population of 89%. However, the economic recession and tax increases that election campaign he pledged not to use it in any way, caused a sharp decline in his ratings, and Bush lost the 1992 election.

Early in his term, Bush was confronted with the budget deficit left behind by Reagan. The $220 billion deficit in 1990 has tripled since 1980. Bush dedicated himself to containing the deficit, believing that without it America could not lead the world. He began to persuade the Democratic-controlled Congress to act in accordance with the budget and cut government spending. However, Democrats believed that the only way- is to increase taxes. Bush faced problems in trying to find consensus.

A very sensitive blow to the Republicans under Bush was the decision Supreme Court The United States, which by a vote of 5 to 4 in 1992 recognized women's right to abortion. Moreover, among those who supported this decision were two judges who took this post on the recommendation of the abortion opponent R. Reagan.

In February 1992, Bush and Bush signed a document ending the Cold War.

On January 14, 2017, George W. Bush was hospitalized due to breathing problems at a Houston hospital. Later it became known that the ex-president was recovering and was disconnected from the ventilator. The cause of health problems was pneumonia. His wife Barbara, who complained of cough and weakness, was also hospitalized.

On April 24, 2018, 93-year-old George W. Bush was admitted to a Houston hospital due to sepsis (the body was struck by an infection that entered the blood).

On May 5, 2018, George W. Bush was discharged from the hospital; doctors describe his condition as good.

On May 27, 2018, the former American leader was again hospitalized in one of the hospitals in Southern Maine, where the ex-politician traditionally spends the summer season, due to low blood pressure and general weakness. On June 5, Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath tweeted that Bush Sr. had been released from the hospital.

Personal life of George HW Bush:

Bush married Barbara Pierce on January 6, 1945, a week after returning from the Pacific.

The marriage produced 6 children: (born 1946), Paulina Robinson Bush ("Robin", 1949-1953, died of leukemia), John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (born 1953), Neil Mallon Bush (born 1955), Marvin Pierce Bush (born 1956), and Dorothy Bush Koch (born 1959).

George H. W. Bush's illness

On December 27, 2012, Bush was admitted to intensive care (exacerbation of chronic bronchitis with high temperature against the background of Parkinson's disease). Previously, on November 23, 2012, he was hospitalized with bronchitis.

George HW Bush celebrated his 90th birthday with a skydive. The former US President and father of former US President George W. Bush celebrates his birthday in this way every 5 years starting from his 75th birthday.

The ex-president suffers from Parkinson's disease and has to use a wheelchair. This time, for safety reasons, Bush Sr. made the jump in tandem with an experienced army paratrooper, Sergeant Mike Elliott.

On January 14, 2017, George W. Bush was hospitalized due to breathing problems at a Houston hospital. Later it became known that the ex-president was recovering and was disconnected from the artificial respiration apparatus. The cause of health problems was pneumonia. His wife Barbara was also hospitalized, complaining of a cough and weakness.

The image of George H. W. Bush in the movies:

The role of Bush Sr. was played more than once by actor John Roark:

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, 1991, directed by David Zucker;
"The Silence of Ham" (1994);
"Courage in Battle" (1996).

Russian actor Vladimir Sedov played Bush Sr. in the film “The weather is good on Deribasovskaya, or it’s raining again on Brighton Beach” (1992).

BUSH, GEORGE HERBERT WALKER(Bush, George Herbert Walker) (1924 – 2018), 41st President of the United States. Born on June 12, 1924 in Milton (Suffolk County, Massachusetts) in the family of banker and politician P.S. Bush. He spent his childhood in Greenwich (Connecticut).

In 1936 he entered the prestigious military school - Phillips Academy in Andover (Massachusetts). Upon graduation in June 1942, six months after the United States entered World War II, he enlisted in the Navy. After completing a ten-month course flight training, June 9, 1943 received junior officer rank; became the youngest naval pilot. In September 1943 he was assigned to the 51st torpedo squadron; in the spring of 1944, as part of it, he was sent to the Pacific theater of military operations. He took part in the operations to liberate Wake Atoll from the Japanese (May) and capture the Mariana Islands (June). On September 2, 1944, during a raid on Japanese fortifications on Chichijima Island (Bonin Archipelago), his plane was shot down; spent about four hours on a raft on the open sea; rescued by an American submarine. In November 1944 he participated in the liberation of the Philippines. During 1944 he flew fifty-eight combat missions; awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and three medals. In December 1944, due to the disbandment of the 51st Squadron, he was sent home. He taught flying skills to new recruits at Norfolk Naval Station and then was assigned to the 153rd Navy Torpedo Bomber Group preparing for the invasion of Japan. But the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945 prevented him from returning to the front.

After demobilization, he entered the Faculty of Economics at Yale University. Upon graduation in 1948, he moved to West Texas and went into the oil business. In 1948–1951 he worked in the Dresser Industries campaign. In 1951 he became one of the founders of the Bush-Overby Oil Company, in 1953 - the Zapata Petroleum Corporation campaign; in 1954 he headed the Zapata Offshore Company.

In 1964, as a representative of the Republican Party, he ran for the US Senate from Texas, making criticism of the Civil Rights Act the core of his campaign, but was defeated. In 1966 he sold his oil business and went completely into politics. In November 1966, he was elected to the US House of Representatives from the 7th district of Texas; re-elected in 1968. While in Congress (January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1971) he was a member of the Budget Committee. In 1970 he again unsuccessfully ran for the Senate.

On December 11, 1970, he was appointed permanent representative of the United States to the UN. In the spring of 1973 he became chairman National Committee Republican Party. At the height of the Watergate scandal, he made vigorous efforts to save the party's reputation. On August 7, 1974, he sent a letter to R. Nixon calling on him to resign as president. In September 1974, he headed the American liaison mission (diplomatic mission) in China; prepared visits to the PRC by US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (autumn 1974, October 1975) and President D. Ford (December 1975). From January 1976 to January 1977 - Director of the CIA. Amid intense criticism from Congress and the press, the CIA resisted efforts to make the intelligence service more open.

By the end of the 1970s. became one of the leaders of the moderate wing of the Republicans. In 1980, he tried to get nominated as a presidential candidate, but in the primary elections he lost to the leader of the right-wing Republicans, R. Reagan. In July 1980, he accepted his offer to run for vice president. After the Republican victory in the November 1980 elections, he became Vice President of the United States. During his vice presidency (January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989), he oversaw programs to reduce government control over business and coordinated government efforts to combat drugs.

In 1988, having defeated his main rivals within the party - Senator R. Dole and televangelist P. Robertson - during the primaries, he was nominated as a Republican presidential candidate. In his election program promised to continue the Reagan policy (minimizing the role of the federal government in the economy, cutting taxes, curtailing social programs, protecting family values, fighting crime, drug addiction, abortion, homosexuality). In November 1988, he won the presidential election against Democrat M. Dukakis and on January 20, 1989, officially took office as head of the White House.

During his presidency, he focused on resolving foreign policy issues. He shared the idea of ​​the United States as the main defender of civilization and democracy in the modern world. In December 1989 by military intervention overthrew the regime of M. Noriega in Panama. In conditions of decay communist system supported the development of democratic principles in the countries of Eastern Europe and the USSR (CIS). Condemned the Moscow coup in August 1991.

After the occupation of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, with the support of the international community, he created an anti-Iraqi coalition, whose troops liberated Kuwait in January-February 1991 and defeated Saddam Hussein’s army (Operation Desert Storm).

He intensified negotiations with the USSR on the reduction of strategic weapons, primarily nuclear ones; his meetings with M.S. Gorbachev in Malta on December 2–3, 1989 and in Helsinki on September 9, 1990 contributed to the easing of international tension. At the same time, he increased military spending, including on the Star Wars program; continued testing nuclear weapons.

Actively contributed to the resumption of the Arab-Israeli dialogue and mitigation of the debt crisis in Latin American countries.

His domestic policy was not so successful. True, social and economic policy has become less ideological than under R. Reagan. Under him, laws were adopted to support the disabled (1990), on environmental protection (1990) and to protect employees from discrimination (1991). However, in the face of a growing budget deficit, he had to violate his main election promise not to raise taxes: the budget regulation law of November 5, 1990 significantly increased the tax burden (a new 31% tax on individual income was introduced, a number of previous taxes were increased). His widely proclaimed “war on drugs” has had little effect due to insufficient funding. Acting as a champion of traditional values, he disrupted the passage of laws on guaranteed maternity leave and funding abortions for needy women in the District of Columbia.

In 1989, economic growth in the United States ceased, and in 1990 a recession began. This was the main reason for the decline in D. Bush's popularity, despite his foreign policy successes (especially the victory over Iraq). In the presidential elections in November 1992, he was defeated by Democrat B. Clinton.

After presidential term went to Houston (Texas). In 1998, co-authored with former national security assistant D. Ford, he published a book Changing world(A World Transformed), dedicated to current issues of foreign policy. In 1999 he published a selection of his letters All the best, George Bush(All the Best, George Bush). He gave public lectures. In November 2004, he became, along with three other former US presidents (D. Ford, D. Carter and B. Clinton), an honorary member of the Council for the Reconstruction of the World Trade Center in New York. In January 2005, on behalf of D. Bush Jr., together with B. Clinton, he led a nationwide campaign to collect assistance for tsunami victims in South-East Asia; In February, he visited the most affected countries with him.

In 1997 his name was born international Airport in Houston; it is also assigned to an aircraft carrier navy USA.

Ivan Krivushin

George Walker Bush, or Bush Jr., was born in New Haven, Connecticut on July 6, 1946. His father was George Herbert Bush, now better known as Bush Sr. and the 41st president of the United States, and his mother was Barbara Bush (nee Pierce), whom the latter married a week after his return from the front of World War II.

Bush Sr. was one of the youngest naval pilots and took part in 58 battles between 1941 and 1945, receiving numerous awards and even personal gratitude from President Franklin Roosevelt.

PBS

George was the first son of George and Barbara, and his parents subsequently gave him three brothers and two sisters. Unfortunately, one of the sisters, Pauline, the second child of the Bush couple, died at the age of four from leukemia. George Jr. was seven years old at the time.

Bush Sr., who went to the front at the age of 18 and returned from the war as a hero, received a university education and soon moved with his family to a city called Midland, located in Texas.

The father of the future 43rd American president decided to go into the oil business, and very successfully. An indicator of the material well-being of the Bush family was an expensive apartment with a bathroom, as well as a refrigerator (the only one on the whole street). At that time, such amenities were akin to luxury.

E-today

Soon George and Barbara moved to Houston with their children. The largest city State of Texas. Gradually, the income level of the famous family increased. If George Herbert Bush began his work in the oil industry with a modest income of $375 a month, then already in 1966, when he took up his political career, Bush Sr. managed to earn a million dollars for his shares.

George HW Bush now | Newsmir

As you know, George Walker Bush's father subsequently worked as director of the CIA, became a prominent representative of the Republican Party, and in 1988 was elected the 41st president of the United States. He became known for increasing taxes, as well as military operations in the Persian Gulf, the Philippines and Panama. In the early 2000s, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was named after Bush Sr.

Education

George Bush graduated from junior school in Midland and later continued his studies at the prestigious Kincaid private school in Houston. At the age of fifteen, the future head of the United States was assigned to Phillips Academy, located in Massachusetts. This is one of the best boarding schools for boys on the entire East Coast, where Bush Jr.’s father also studied at one time.

Vnore

At one time, George Herbert Bush was the real pride of this educational institution, demonstrating excellent sports and academic achievements. Bush Jr., alas, could not boast of a similar state of affairs. But already at school he discovered others in himself positive traits: George was great with people, made friends easily, and became a fan leader for his academy's sports team without any difficulty.

After graduating from school, Bush Jr. intended to enter Yale University. School teachers very much doubted that a student who was not performing well would actually be accepted into a prestigious university, and tried to dissuade the guy from such a difficult dream to realize. Nevertheless, George entered Yale and received a bachelor's degree in history in 1968.

Range

However, the guy was an average student at the university, but he was extremely popular. During his studies, George Walker Bush became president of one of the student fraternities. It was widely known for the hooligan entertainment of its participants, drunken brawls, but high sporting achievements. Bush ended up in police custody twice because of his brotherhood's activities.

Business

From 1968 to 1973, George served in the National Guard, piloting an F-102 aircraft. Like his father, Bush Jr. turned out to be a very gifted pilot, but he still did not want to connect his life with building a military career. Therefore, in 1973, the future president entered Harvard Business School, and in 1975 received an MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree from it.

Range

Returning to Midland, George followed his father's example into the oil business. However, Bush Jr. did not achieve great success in this field. Several times he participated in the election campaigns of Bush Sr., who was then building a successful political career. In 1977, the politician even tried to be elected to the House of Representatives of the American Congress, but he failed to get the required number of votes.

George Walker Bush never attended a reunion at either Yale University or Harvard Business School. Moreover: his oil company gradually became less and less profitable, and he himself, despairing of self-realization in life, increasingly turned to the bottle.

Ribbon

Having celebrated his 40th birthday, Bush Jr. realized with bitterness that he had no serious reasons for real joy. He decided that it was time for him to change something, and began by completely giving up alcohol.

Subsequently, he agreed to merge his company with a reputable large company, and in 1989, together with investors, he acquired the Texas Rangers baseball club. The deal was extremely successful: a $600 thousand investment in a few years turned into a fortune of about $15 million.

Beginning of a political career

In 1994, George W. Bush became governor of Texas with 53.5% of voters voting for him. During the years of work as a manager government controlled The state politician managed to prove himself extremely well.

The measures he took were effective; in addition, thanks to his innate charm and ability to “smooth out rough edges,” George came to an excellent agreement with the opposition. The politician’s rather impressive height (182 cm) also had a favorable effect on his image.

George Bush - Governor of Texas | Hee Haw Videos

At that time, even some Democrats spoke positively about Bush Jr., a devoted supporter of the Republican Party. Popularity and recognition allowed the politician to be elected again as governor of Texas in 1998, with a much more impressive number of votes. At the same time, Bush began to be seen as one of the most likely candidates for the presidency.

Presidential elections

The presidential race for the popular Republican began with the fact that he won the primaries within his home party. After this, George Walker Bush had to fight with Al Gore, a representative of the Democratic Party, for the post of leader of the entire country. Bush Jr. won this battle and was elected president in November 2000. However, this electoral process became one of the most scandalous elections in the history of the United States.

Business capital

After the voting results had already been officially announced, uncounted ballot boxes with ballots on which the treasured “tick” stood opposite the name of Al Gore were suddenly discovered in Texas. The brother of the newly elected president, Jeb Bush (Governor of Florida), who, according to the opposition, put pressure on the Democrats of his state, also came under attack. It is noteworthy that in 2016, Jeb also tried to fight for the presidency, but was unsuccessful.

George Bush at the inauguration | Spbimir

In addition, as a result of the vote count, it turned out that in terms of the total number of votes cast for candidates, Al Gore was still in first place. Moreover, the advantage was extremely impressive: Gore overtook Bush Jr. by almost 500 thousand votes. However, in the United States, as is known, the final point in the struggle between candidates is set by the Electoral College, by whose decision the inauguration took place specifically for George Bush.

Opportunity Lives

Having served his first term as American president, the politician continued to enjoy considerable popularity among the people. In November 2004, he was again elected head of state, overtaking a Democrat in the election campaign.

Domestic policy

Despite the fact that during his reign, Bush Jr. had to face a number of extreme serious problems, the country’s overall economic performance during the years of his presidency turned out to be very good.

State GDP grew by several percent per year, inflation did not go beyond 1.5-2.5%. However, the unemployment rate remained quite high: in 2003 it reached 6%, dropping to 4.6% in 2006.

New York

Experts see the reasons for high unemployment rates in a number of decisions made by Bush Jr. Thus, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dealt a serious blow to the economy: military spending during this period turned out to be an order of magnitude higher than all US spending on the arms race during the Cold War.

The tax cut program, designed to ensure economic growth and the rise of big business, has not justified itself. As a result, despite the overall growth of GDP, many enterprises closed or transferred production to third countries.

Vestnik Kavkaza

George W. Bush became known as a supporter of equal rights for all races. He became the first US president to hold the posts of National Security Assistant and Secretary of State to African Americans. Before this they were like this high positions were not available to representatives of national minorities.

The 43rd President of the United States carried out a number of reforms in the fields of education, health care, and social security. Not all of them were successful: social benefits, which the politician emphasized during the election campaign, still did not reach all those in need (unemployment was partly the reason for this).

Consequences of Hurricane Katrina | International Business Times

In August 2005, the most destructive hurricane in its history, called Katrina, passed along the southern coast of America. About one and a half thousand people died, a large number of communications were destroyed, and populated areas were flooded. Many experts see Bush Jr.'s failure in the fact that he failed to take enough effective measures in this crisis situation.

Foreign policy

The most ordeal was waiting for George Walker Bush at the very beginning of his reign over the country: . As is known, on this day, due to the fault of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, several thousand people died in the Twin Towers. Osama bin Laden, who fled to Afghanistan, was accused of organizing the monstrous terrorist attack.

Kuban 24

Serious military and diplomatic efforts made it possible to create a powerful coalition to conduct military operations in Afghanistan, as a result of which key Taliban forces were defeated. This difficult period was also the moment of the birth of herself. famous quote Bush: "We will smoke them out of their holes... and bring them to justice, or bring justice to them."

Still in 2001, the US presidential administration announced that it was canceling the agreement on limiting missile defense (anti-ballistic missile defense), which was reached between the States and the USSR about twenty years earlier. The decision was dictated by the intention to provide effective protection against terrorists.

George Bush with officers | France 24

In 2002, America's leadership declared that from now on the country would intervene in events occurring in other countries in order to achieve democracy and establish a free market. In 2003, because of this law, the war began in Iraq, whose president, Saddam Hussein, was accused by the States of supporting the terrorist movement and refused to cooperate with the UN.

One India

During that period, the famous appeal to George Bush was published. With a significant number of swear words, the politician wanted to explain to the overseas president what the politics of the Middle East are and why America should not meddle here. Alas, Zhirinovsky, as is easy to guess, was not ordered by George Bush, and the war nevertheless began.

Personal life

In 1977, Bush tied the knot with Laura Welch, a former librarian and teacher. In 1981, the Bush family was expanded to include Jenna and Barbara Bush, twin sisters.

George Walker Bush is widely known for his bumbling antics. A photo of the 43rd US President with binoculars, which he is holding incorrectly, a storyboard of “George Bush and a raincoat”, where a politician is trying to pacify an unruly piece of polyethylene, a video in which the president fell from a Segway, or fell from a bicycle - all this has turned into unique memes on the World Wide Web .

The Republican himself, apparently, is not offended by these jokes. Once he even spoke with his double before the White House Correspondents' Association.

There have been repeated rumors in the press that George Bush converted to Islam. However, in reality, the politician is an adherent of the Methodist Church, although he has repeatedly demonstrated respect for Muslims in order to improve the foreign policy situation of the country. It was also reported that the presidential daughter allegedly converted to Islam, however, these assumptions were not confirmed.

Voal

Now Bush Jr. still often appears in public, communicates with people, reluctantly counts the decades of his life in response to the question of how old he recently turned, acts in films (mostly documentaries), and even writes books (the memoirs of the 43rd president became a bestseller in the States).

As in his youth, George continues to endear himself to people, and his wife always accompanies him, maintaining the image of the elegant former first lady.

Wikipedia has articles about other people with this last name, see Bush.

George Walker Bush George Walker Bush
43rd President of the United States
January 20, 2001 - January 20, 2009
Vice President:	Richard "Dick" Cheney
Predecessor:	William "Bill" Clinton
Successor:	Barack Obama
46th Governor of Texas
January 17, 1995 - December 21, 2000
Lieutenant Governor:	Bob Bullock James "Rick" Perry
Predecessor:	Ann Richards
Successor:	James Richard "Rick" Perry
Citizenship:	USA
Religion:	Methodist Protestant
Birth:	July 6, 1946 ( 1946-07-06 ) (68 years old) New Haven (Connecticut), Connecticut (USA)
Father:	George Herbert Walker Bush
Mother:	Barbara Bush
Spouse:	Laura Bush
Children:	daughters: Barbara and Jenna
The consignment:	US Republican Party
Education:	Yale University (BA) Harvard Business School (MBA)
Military service
Years of service:	1968-1973
Affiliation:	USA USA
Type of army:	Texas Air National Guard
Rank:	1st Lieutenant
Autograph:
Awards:
George Walker Bush on Wikimedia Commons

George Walker Bush(English) George Walker Bush [ˈdʒɔrdʒ ˈwɔːkər ˈbʊʃ]; July 6, 1946, New Haven, Connecticut, USA) - American Republican politician, 43rd President of the United States from 2001-2009, Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

Son of the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, also known as George W. Bush. He graduated from Yale University in 1968 and Harvard Business School in 1975. Served in the Air National Guard from 1968 to 1974. In 1994 he was elected governor of Texas, and in 1998 he was re-elected for a second term. In 2000, he defeated then-Vice President Al Gore in the presidential election.

A few months after Bush took office, a series of major terrorist attacks occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001, in response to which Bush declared a global “war on terrorism.” That same year, the United States invaded Afghanistan and Iraq in 2003. In addition to national security issues, Bush introduced a series of reforms in the areas of health care, education and social security, and seriously cut taxes.

In 2004, Bush was successfully re-elected to a second term, defeating Democratic Senator John Kerry. In 2005, the Bush administration was criticized for its mismanagement of the Hurricane Katrina crisis. In December 2007, the United States entered the largest recession since World War II, which forced the presidential administration to intervene more actively in the economy, implementing a set of measures to stimulate its growth.

Although Bush was a popular president during his first term, his ratings declined steadily during his second. In 2009, he was replaced as president by Barack Obama. Bush returned to Texas, currently working social activities. In 2010, he published his memoirs, which were published by Crown under the title “ Turning points" The book immediately topped the bestseller lists. In Russia, Bush's memoirs were published in September 2011 by the OLMA Media Group publishing house.

early years

Lt. George W. Bush in the Texas Air National Guard

George Walker Bush Jr. was born on July 6, 1946 in New Haven (Connecticut) in the family of retired naval aviation pilot George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush. George was their first son, Pauline was born in 1949 (died in 1953 from leukemia), Jeb in 1953, Neil in 1955, Marvin in 1956, and Dorothy in 1959. George's grandfather, Prescott Sheldon Bush, was a senator from Connecticut from 1952-1963.

Bush Jr. spent his childhood in Midland (Texas). After George graduated from 7th grade, his family moved to Houston. There, Bush studied at the Kincaid private school for two years to prepare for university. He began his education at Phillips Academy. In 1968 he received a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University, where he studied averagely, but was popular.

In 1968-1973 he served in the National Guard. He was an F-102 pilot in the Texas Air National Guard.

In 1973-1975 he studied at Harvard Business School and received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Then he returned to Midland, where he worked in the oil industry until 1986. Several times he actively participated in his father’s election campaigns and served as his adviser. In 1977 he ran for election to the US House of Representatives. In 1989, together with several partners, he bought the Texas Rangers baseball club.

Governor

Became the 46th Governor of Texas on November 8, 1994, when he received 53.5% of the vote. In this position, he gained a reputation as an effective politician who knows how to cooperate with the opposition, taking the position of “compassionate conservatism” (that is, not a complete rejection of social programs), and advocated a more active role of the church (of different denominations) in social work, won support from many of the state's prominent Democrats. Was elected governor again on November 3, 1998, with a record high number votes and became the first Texas governor elected to a second term immediately after his first. He was criticized by Democrats in Texas and other states for signing several death warrants for convicts while he was governor.

Presidency

First term

In 1999, he decides to run for President of the United States. In one of the most controversial presidential elections in the history of the country, on November 7, 2000, after a vote count, recount and five weeks of legal proceedings, Democratic Party candidate Al Gore emerged victorious. During the election campaign, Bush played up the details of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal in every possible way, which brought him success. He became the second president in US history (after John Q. Adams) to occupy this post after his father. Bush also holds another record (along with the same Adams Jr. and two other presidents of the 19th century: Rutherford Hayes and Benjamin Harrison) - the candidate who received the majority of electoral votes, but lost in terms of the number of citizen votes received (by more than 0.5 million people ).

George Walker Bush in infancy

George Bush with his twin daughters and wife. 1990

In his inaugural speech, Bush promised to reform Social Security and Medicare and reduce the tax burden. The Bush Cabinet consisted of politicians of various stripes and views, from social democrats (“liberals” in American political jargon) to hardline conservatives. In February 2001, the President presented federal budget($1.96 trillion), which includes tax cuts, increased spending on education and armed forces. During the same period, the first signs of a recession in the US economy occurred. Despite the criticism, Congress passed a powerful tax cut program in June 2001 ($1.35 trillion).

In April, the administration had to conduct difficult negotiations with China over the release of pilots forced to land a reconnaissance plane on Chinese territory. At the end of the same year, bioterrorism swept across the United States; several envelopes with anthrax were sent to offices. In 2001, George Bush announced the early creation of a full-fledged missile defense system, and a year later he outlined the so-called “Axis of Evil.” Bush also froze further research projects in the field of stem cells.

As a result of the events of September 11, 2001, about 3 thousand people died. Accused of organizing these terrorist attacks, the Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden, according to US intelligence services, was hiding in Afghanistan, and the US administration demanded that the Taliban extradite him. Bush responded to the refusal: “ We'll smoke them out of their holes... and bring them to justice or bring justice to them" As a result of active diplomatic efforts and military preparations, the United States managed to create an unprecedented coalition for military operations in Afghanistan, and by the end of 2001, with the support of airstrikes and American units a group of mujahideen called the Northern Alliance established control over Afghanistan and created a government of national unity, and the main Taliban forces were defeated.

To combat terrorism in the United States, the Office of Homeland Security was created, which received almost unlimited rights in relation to persons suspected of terrorism. In December 2001, the United States announced its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which did not cause serious condemnation from Russia.

In 2003, Bush launched an attack on Iraq to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein. The pretext for war was Bush's statement about the presence of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq, which were allegedly hiding from UN inspectors, and Saddam's connections with al-Qaeda. Many countries that supported the invasion of Afghanistan found the evidence presented by the United States inconclusive and refused to take the US side in this war. Despite the fact that the United States again demonstrated its military power, breaking the resistance of regular Iraqi troops within a few weeks, the war received a very mixed assessment from the world community and the US population. Further events, which showed the powerlessness of the American administration in Iraq in the face of a wave of terrorist attacks organized by opponents of the presence of the United States and other powers in the country, and an increase in crime, sharply reduced Bush's rating on the eve of new elections. In addition, statements by official and unofficial persons began to appear that the United States did not have any reliable evidence of the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and Saddam’s connections with al-Qaeda at the start of the war and that the invasion of Iraq was a political adventure by Bush in order to increase his domestic rating, decreased as a result of his unsuccessful economic policy, allowing American oil companies to extract oil in Iraq, providing large contracts for the production of weapons to private corporations for the needs of the US army in Iraq. In the documentary and journalistic film by Michael Moore “Fahrenheit 9/11”, this very reason (pressure on the president of the oil lobby, with which he has long-standing friendly and business relations) is named among the main reasons for starting the war.

Second term

On November 2, 2004, he defeated the Democratic candidate, junior senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry, in the 2004 presidential election.

A new blow to Bush's image was the flooding in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina in late August - early September 2005, when 80% of the city was flooded; Due to the fact that insufficient measures were taken to evacuate the city in a timely manner before the hurricane, the number of victims amounted to several hundred people. Before the hurricane, residents of New Orleans were asked to leave the city, but a large part of the population did not have sufficient funds to do so. In November 2006, the Republicans suffered a crushing defeat in the midterm elections.

In 2007, he was an active supporter of the deployment of US missile defense elements in Eastern Europe, and also advocated the early entry of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO.

In August 2008, he spoke out in defense of Georgia during the Russian-Georgian conflict; On September 23, 2008, speaking at the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, he accused Russia of violating the UN Charter, saying, in particular:

« The Charter of the United Nations affirms the “equality of rights of great and small states.” Russia's invasion of Georgia was a violation of these words. Young democracies around the world are watching to see how we respond to this challenge. The United States has engaged with its allies in multilateral institutions such as European Union and NATO, in order to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia and provide humanitarian assistance. And our states will continue to support Georgian democracy.» Original text(English) The United Nations Charter sets forth the “equal rights of nations large and small”. Russia’s invasion of Georgia was a violation of those words. Young democracies around the world are watching to see how we respond to this test. The United States has worked with allies in multilateral institutions like the European Union and NATO to uphold Georgia’s territorial integrity and provide humanitarian relief. And our nations will continue to support Georgia’s democracy.

Assassination

On May 10, 2005, on Freedom Square in Tbilisi, Vladimir Harutyunyan threw a grenade in the direction of the podium where the presidents of Georgia and the United States were located. The grenade was brought into combat condition, but did not explode.

Incident at a press conference

Main article: Bush boots

On December 14, 2008, at a press conference in Baghdad, journalist Muntazar al-Zaidi tried to hit George Bush with his shoes, throwing them towards the podium. None of them hit George W. Bush, who after the conference described the incident as “funny,” but in Iraq it is considered the greatest insult to both the individual and the man himself. The outburst was accompanied by verbal insults towards the American president. The journalist was arrested and beaten in prison. During the examination, the shoes were destroyed; the presence of explosives and other substances was never revealed. On March 12, 2009, the court sentenced Muntazar al-Zaidi to three years in prison, but for good behavior he was released on September 11, 2009.

Security

On all of Bush's international trips, in addition to political aides and national security advisers, 250 agents accompanied him. secret service, 15 police, 2 convoys of 20 armored vehicles, including the presidential limousine, Sikorsky Sea King and Black Hawk helicopters.

Religion

Main article: Religious affiliation of George W. Bush

George Bush is a member of the Methodist Church.

Personal life

In 1977, Bush married Laura Welch, a former teacher and librarian. On November 25, 1981, the couple gave birth to twin daughters Barbara and Jenna.

Jenna Bush and Henry Hager were married on May 10, 2008, in a modest ceremony at the president's ranch in his native Texas.

Confession

• In 2005, Melanskaya Street in Tbilisi was renamed Bush Street in connection with the visit of the US President to Georgia.
• In honor of George W. Bush, a series of Albanian postage stamps was issued in 2007.

Opinions and ratings

• Bush has been criticized for his war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan and his aggressive foreign policy, as well as his administration's authorization of torture by US investigators and terrorism suspects.

• US Senator from Illinois Barack Obama (later US President) wrote about him in his book “The Audacity of Hope” (2006): “Democrats are often surprised when I admit that I personally don’t think George W. Bush bad person and I think that he and his administration are sincerely trying to work for the good of the country.”

Awards

• Order of Ghazi Amanullah Khan (Afghanistan, December 2008) - for help, assistance and service to the Afghan people.
• Order of Victory named after St. George (Georgia, 2006).
• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Three Stars (Latvia, May 3, 2005).

Book

• Key decisions / Translation from English. O. Akimova, M. Kozyreva, E. Ganieva. - M.: JSC "OLMA Media Group", 2011. - 544 p. - 5000 copies. ISBN 978-5-373-04418-9