Who was George H. W. Bush?
George H. W. Bush flew Navy planes in World War II, graduated from Yale and then made money in Texas oil. His public career took in Congress, the UN, a diplomatic post in China and the CIA. He spent eight years as Ronald Reagan's vice president. His presidency began in 1989, and the Berlin Wall fell, Germany reunited and the Soviet Union broke apart on his watch. He ordered an invasion of Panama to oust Manuel Noriega. In 1991 he led an alliance that forced Iraq out of Kuwait. At home he signed laws on disability rights, clean air and immigration. A recession and his tax reversal helped Bill Clinton beat him in 1992.
Political views
- The Americans with Disabilities Act became law under him in 1990, outlawing discrimination against disabled people.Source: millercenter.org
- His 1988 campaign line was 'Read my lips: no new taxes'. Two years later a budget deal he agreed to raised taxes in order to cut the deficit.Source: millercenter.org
- He pushed the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, which went after smog, acid rain and factory pollution.Source: millercenter.org
- He was against burning the flag and against abortion. He was for free trade and for volunteer work in local communities.Source: millercenter.org
- His administration reached the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico and he put his name to it.Source: en.wikipedia.org
- In 1989 he sent American forces into Panama to oust Manuel Noriega. In 1991 he put together the coalition that drove Iraq's army out of Kuwait.Source: millercenter.org
Legacy
Many historians praise Bush's steady handling of the Cold War's end, including Germany's peaceful reunification, and his UN-backed Gulf War alliance. Fans also point to laws that won support from both parties, among them the disability rights act and the 1990 clean air changes. Conservatives were angry about the broken tax pledge, and Pat Buchanan's 1992 primary challenge fed on that. Critics on the left disliked the Willie Horton material in his 1988 campaign, which they called a racial appeal. They also faulted how he dealt with the 1990-1991 recession. The Panama invasion drew complaints that it broke international law. His decision to end the Gulf War with Saddam Hussein still in power remains a subject of debate.