GEORGE W. BUSH | 2001-2009
When George W. Bush became the 43rd president of the United States, it was the second time in American history that a president's son went on to the White House. John Quincy Adams, elected the sixth president in 1824, was the son of second president John Adams. John Adams had groomed his son for office, but George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, was surprised when the eldest of his six children became involved in politics. George W. Bush launched his quest for the presidency while serving as governor of Texas.
George W. Bush's presidential campaign helped redefine the modern Republican Party. Making educational excellence his highest priority and calling his governing philosophy "compassionate conservatism," Bush insisted that helping those in need be at the center of the national agenda. From the earliest moments of his presidency, he has sought the involvement of America's charities, faith-based organizations, and community groups.
George W. Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1946. The family moved to Midland, Texas, when the senior Bush entered the oil exploration business. George W. attended Midland public schools and graduated from Andover Academy and Yale. In 1975, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard. Returning to Texas, he got into the oil business and made an unsuccessful bid for Congress. Bush was managing general partner of the Texas Rangers until he ran for governor in 1994.
As Texas governor, Bush did not allow partisan differences to impede progress. He was a friend and confidant of leaders of both parties. An overwhelming 1998 re-election victory attracted support for him in the Republican presidential primaries. During the early part of the 2000 election, Bush enjoyed a double-digit lead over his opponent, Vice President Albert Gore Jr. In the fall campaign, the battle evened. The election was a standoff. Gore led in the popular vote, but in the Electoral College the contest came down to the winner of Florida. There, Bush had a margin of a few hundred votes. Gore challenged him in the courts of Florida by asking for recounts in key Democratic precincts. Partial recounts and lawsuits finally worked their way up to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled in Bush's favor: the election was judged fair and the recounts ended. Bush was declared the winner by a very narrow margin, 271 electoral votes to 266.
In his Inaugural Address, President Bush defined his hopes for the nation: "We affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character." He challenged each citizen, "What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort, to defend needed reforms against easy attacks, to serve your nation beginning with your neighbor."
