Challenges Faced by George W. Bush: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped George W. Bush's life and career.

George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. President (2001-2009), is a prominent figure in American politics. Son of President George H.W. Bush, he served as the governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. His presidency was largely defined by the September 11th terrorist attacks, which led to the launch of the "War on Terror," including military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other key policy initiatives included education reform through the "No Child Left Behind Act," tax cuts, and debates surrounding social issues. Bush's administration faced criticism regarding its handling of Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis of 2008.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

September 4, 1976: Arrested for DUI

On September 4, 1976, George W. Bush was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Kennebunkport, Maine, and was subsequently fined and had his license suspended.

1978: Ran for U.S. House of Representatives

In 1978, George W. Bush ran for the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 19th congressional district, but lost to Kent Hance.

2000: Federal Government Spending and Revenues

In 2000, federal government spending was $1.789 trillion and revenues were $2.025 trillion.

2000: Poverty Rate at 11.3%

In 2000, the poverty rate was 11.3%.

January 2001: Unemployment at 4.2%

In January 2001, the unemployment rate was at 4.2%.

February 7, 2001: Shooting Outside the White House

On February 7, 2001, Robert W. Pickett discharged a firearm outside the White House while George W. Bush was inside. Pickett was apprehended after being shot by a Secret Service agent and faced charges related to the incident.

October 7, 2001: Start of Bombing Campaigns in Afghanistan

On October 7, 2001, U.S. and British forces initiated bombing campaigns in Afghanistan, leading to the arrival of Northern Alliance troops in Kabul on November 13.

December 2001: Taliban Defeated

In December 2001, the Pentagon reported that the Taliban had been defeated in Afghanistan, but cautioned that the war would continue to weaken Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders.

2001: Bush Proposes Tax Cut Program

In 2001, George W. Bush proposed a $1.35 trillion tax cut program, arguing that surplus government funds should be returned to taxpayers. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan warned of a recession.

2001: September 11 Attacks

In 2001, the September 11 attacks occurred, reshaping the Bush administration's focus and leading to the War on Terror and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

2001: Bush Enters Office With Dow at 10,587

In 2001, when George W. Bush entered office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 10,587.

November 2002: UN Weapons Inspectors in Iraq

In November 2002, Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei led UN weapons inspectors in Iraq. The U.S. advised them to depart four days prior to the U.S. invasion, despite their requests for more time.

March 20, 2003: Invasion of Iraq

On March 20, 2003, the United States, along with the "coalition of the willing" including the United Kingdom, launched the invasion of Iraq.

June 2003: Unemployment at 6.3%

In June 2003, the unemployment rate rose to 6.3%.

2003: Initiated AIDS Relief Plan and Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Bush initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and ordered the invasion of Iraq based on claims that Saddam Hussein possessed WMDs and had ties to al-Qaeda.

2003: Increased Regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

In 2003, the Bush administration pushed for increased regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the regulations, after passing the House, died in the Senate.

December 2004: Approval Rating Below 50 Percent

In December 2004, President Bush's approval rating fell below 50 percent in AP-Ipsos polling, marking the beginning of a steady decline in his approval ratings and approval of his handling of domestic and foreign policy issues.

2004: Bush's Re-election Campaign Strategy

In 2004, George W. Bush sought re-election with broad Republican support, appointing Ken Mehlman as campaign manager and Karl Rove devising the political strategy. The campaign emphasized the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the USA PATRIOT Act, constitutional amendments against abortion and same-sex marriage, Social Security reform, and opposition to mandatory carbon emissions controls. Bush also proposed a guest worker program for immigrants, which drew criticism.

2004: CIA Leadership Change and Allegations

In 2004, after CIA director George Tenet resigned, George W. Bush nominated Porter Goss to lead the agency. The White House instructed Goss to purge officers deemed disloyal. Many senior CIA agents were subsequently fired or quit. The CIA faced accusations of leaking classified information to undermine the 2004 election.

2004: Poverty Rate Peaked at 12.7%

In 2004, the poverty rate peaked at 12.7%.

May 10, 2005: Grenade Thrown at Bush During Speech

On May 10, 2005, during a speech given by President Bush in Freedom Square, Vladimir Arutyunian threw a live RGD-5 hand grenade toward the podium. The grenade landed about 61 feet from the podium but did not detonate because it was wrapped in a handkerchief.

July 2005: Arutyunian Arrested

In July 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian, the individual who threw a grenade at President Bush during a speech in May, was apprehended. During the arrest, Arutyunian killed an Interior Ministry agent.

2005: Campaigning for Social Security Reform

In 2005, George W. Bush embarked on a national tour, campaigning for his Social Security reform initiative. However, public support declined, and the proposal's prospects were further diminished by the response to Hurricane Katrina.

2005: Bush Outlines Social Security Reform Initiative

In 2005, George W. Bush outlined a major initiative to reform Social Security, which was facing record deficit projections, including partial privatization and personal Social Security accounts. Democrats opposed the proposal.

January 2006: Arutyunian Convicted

In January 2006, Vladimir Arutyunian was convicted for his actions involving the grenade thrown at President Bush in May 2005. He received a life sentence for the crime.

March 2006: Obama's Debt Ceiling Remarks

In March 2006, then-Senator Barack Obama criticized raising the debt limit as a "sign of leadership failure."

October 9, 2006: North Korea Nuclear Detonation

On October 9, 2006, North Korea's detonation of a nuclear device complicated President Bush's foreign policy.

2006: Democrats Regain Control of Congress

In 2006, amid widespread criticism, the Democratic Party regained control of Congress.

2006: Funding for NIH Cut

In 2006, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was cut due to rising inflation, marking the first such cut in 36 years.

2006: Iraq Study Group Report

In 2006, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, led by James Baker, concluded that the situation in Iraq was "grave and deteriorating".

January 10, 2007: Troop Surge in Iraq

On January 10, 2007, President Bush announced a surge of 21,500 additional troops to Iraq, along with job programs and reconstruction proposals costing $1.2 billion.

January 2007: Launched Troop Surge in Iraq

In January 2007, Bush launched a surge of troops in Iraq.

January 17, 2007: End of President's Surveillance Program

On January 17, 2007, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales informed U.S. Senate leaders that the President's Surveillance Program would not be reauthorized, but would be subjected to judicial oversight.

May 1, 2007: Veto of Troop Withdrawal Deadline

On May 1, 2007, President Bush vetoed a bill that would have set a deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

June 28, 2007: Defeat of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act in Senate

On June 28, 2007, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act was defeated in the Senate. Bush expressed disappointment upon the defeat of one of his signature domestic initiatives.

July 6, 2007: Ruling Vacated on NSA Surveillance Program

On July 6, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated the ruling that the NSA electronic surveillance program was unconstitutional, on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing.

October 2007: Dow Jones Average Peaked

In October 2007, the Dow Jones Industrial Average peaked at over 14,000 during George W. Bush's presidency.

November 2007: Treasury Department Freezes Assets

In November 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department froze the assets of two Lebanese and two Syrians, accusing them of activities to "undermine the legitimate political process in Lebanon".

December 2007: United States Entered Recession

In December 2007, the United States entered the longest post–World War II recession, caused by factors like a housing market correction and soaring oil prices.

2007: Bush Vetoed State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Legislation

In 2007, George W. Bush opposed and vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation, viewing it as a move toward socialized healthcare, even though the bill was to expand federally funded healthcare benefits to children of some low-income families.

2007: US Enters Longest Post-World War II Recession

In 2007, the United States entered the longest post-World War II recession. During George W. Bush's presidency, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, alongside debates on immigration, healthcare, Social Security, economic policy, and treatment of terrorist detainees significantly altered his domestic agenda.

2007: Approval Rating Hovered in the Mid-Thirties

Throughout most of 2007, President Bush's approval rating hovered in the mid-thirties; the average for his entire second term was 37 percent, according to Gallup.

February 2008: 63,000 Jobs Were Lost

In February 2008, 63,000 jobs were lost, marking a five-year record during the recession.

February 2008: Torching of U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

In February 2008, the U.S. embassy in Belgrade was torched, stemming from troubled U.S. relations with Serbia due to the Bush administration's support for the unilateral declaration of independence of Albanian-majority Kosovo.

March 8, 2008: Veto of H.R. 2082

On March 8, 2008, President Bush vetoed H.R. 2082, a bill that would have expanded congressional oversight over the intelligence community and banned the use of waterboarding.

March 10, 2008: Congress Files Lawsuit to Enforce Subpoenas

On March 10, 2008, the Congress filed a federal lawsuit to enforce their issued subpoenas regarding the U.S. Attorney firings.

March 2008: Praise for Iraqi Government's Decision in Basra

In March 2008, President Bush praised the Iraqi government's "bold decision" to launch the Battle of Basra against the Mahdi Army.

April 2008: Disapproval Ratings Reach Record High

In April 2008, President Bush's disapproval ratings reached the highest ever recorded for any president in the history of the Gallup poll, with 69 percent of those polled disapproving of his job performance.

June 9, 2008: Impeachment Articles Introduced

On June 9, 2008, Representative Dennis Kucinich introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President Bush on the floor of the House of Representatives.

July 31, 2008: Court Ruling on Congressional Subpoenas

On July 31, 2008, a United States district court judge ruled that President Bush's top advisers were not immune from congressional subpoenas related to the U.S. Attorney firings.

September 2008: Financial Crisis Intensified

In September 2008, the 2008 financial crisis intensified with the federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, and a federal bailout of American International Group (AIG) for $85 billion.

October 2008: U.S. National Debt Rose to $11.3 Trillion

By October 2008, the U.S. national debt had risen to $11.3 trillion, doubling since 2000, due to tax cuts and increased national security spending.

December 14, 2008: Shoe-Throwing Incident in Baghdad

On December 14, 2008, during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at President Bush. Bush was not injured, but White House press secretary Dana Perino sustained a bruise.

2008: Increase in Federal Spending and Revenue

By 2008, the end of Bush's term, federal government spending increased to $2.983 trillion and revenues increased to $2.524 trillion. Discretionary defense spending increased by 107%, while discretionary domestic spending increased by 62%.

2008: Approval Rating Drops to 19 Percent

By the beginning of 2008, President Bush's final year in office, his approval rating had dropped to a low of just 19 percent, largely due to the loss of support among Republicans.

2008: Handling of the 2008 Financial Crisis

Critics often point to George W. Bush's handling of the 2008 financial crisis, as proof that he was unfit to be president.

2008: Financial Crisis

During the 2008 financial crisis, President Bush's administration initiated economic programs like the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

2008: Dow Jones Average at 7,949 when Bush Left Office

In 2008, when George W. Bush left office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 7,949, one of the lowest levels of his presidency.

2008: Record Low Approval Ratings

In polls conducted in the fall of 2008, President Bush's approval ratings remained at record lows of 19 to 20 percent, while his disapproval ratings ranged from 67 percent to as high as 75 percent.

2009: Final Approval Rating

In polling conducted January 9–11, 2009, President Bush's final job approval rating by Gallup was 34 percent, which placed him on par with Jimmy Carter and Harry S. Truman.

March 2010: Report on False Pretenses

In March 2010, the Center for Public Integrity released a report stating that President Bush's administration had made over 900 false claims over a two-year period about the threat of Iraq.