The Bush II and Obama Years: The New Millennium

Use the packet given to you and the last few subsections in the Enduring Vision for additional info (p. 1056-1082).

The 2000 Election

Bush/Cheney vs. Gore/Lieberman vs. Ralph Nader

Bush eventually wins by 537 votes in Florida

36 days without a President while recounts went on

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/future/landmark_bush.html

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/29/17971531-ex-supreme-court-justice-has-second-thoughts-on-bush-v-gore?lite

Bush v. Gore

George W. Bush (2001-2009)

Former oil executive, part owner of the Texas Rangers

TX Governor “Compassionate

conservatism”

The economy and domestic affairs

$1.35 trillion tax cut $300 or $600 refund checks from the surplus Education reform: No Child Left Behind (standardized tests,

all kids in the US will be proficient by 2014, etc.) 2001 recession Stories of corporate corruption: Enron, Tyco, Worldcom, etc.

9/11/01

The War on Terrorism

Taliban in Afghanistan overthrown in late 2001; US forces remained to stabilize the government and pursue Bin Laden and Al Qaeda (and we are still there in 2013)

Reorganization of the federal government: Dept of Homeland Security; Director of National Intelligence

The emphasis on the war on terrorism leads to large gains for Republicans in 2002 (Republicans controlled all branches of government)

Iraq War

No link between Al Qaeda/9/11 and Iraq

Threat of WMD Bush Doctrine: preemptive war March, 2003: attack launched

without UN Security Council approval

In 1 month of fighting, Baghdad was captured

Occupation went on; insurgency against US forces exploded

2004 election

Bush’s second term

The two wars continue Hurricane Katrina, August 2005 2008 financial collapse: the worst since The Great

Depression “The Great Recession” Exploding national debt (the US debt doubled

between 2001-2009 after Bush inherited a surplus)

The 2008 Election… and beyond.

What are the most significant issues in recent years?