41st and 43rd, father and son presidents. The Bushes of History, both of the US’s and the world’s. George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, the other father and son presidents of the United States make interesting parallels and contrasts. Their presidencies came during some of the nation’s and world’s most interesting chapters in history.
The older generation may remember when senior Bush was a hero in World War II while younger generations will never forget when his son handled 9/11 with presidential poise.
George HW was the son of Connecticut senator Prescott Bush, which likely sparked his interest in politics and public service. He served two terms as a representative of Texas before winning the Republican nomination for president in 1988 and ultimately becoming president. His son, George W, was elected governor of Texas in 1994 and went on to serve an unprecedented four terms. In 2001, he began his first term as president after running for office. The Bush family clearly has politics in their genes, with George W being the more successful politician based on election wins.
Both the father and son were educated at Yale University. The father excelled in academics as well as sports, serving as captain of the baseball team. The son later pursued his Masters in Business Administration at Harvard and, in 1989, George W and some friends purchased the Texas Rangers Baseball Franchise. Prior to entering politics, both were involved in the oil and energy business in Texas. Additionally, both Bushes were experienced pilots who served their country. George HW was the youngest navy pilot with 58 combat missions during WWII and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Bravery when his aircraft was shot down by the Japanese; he was rescued by a US submarine. George W served as an F-102 fighter pilot with the Texas National Guard but it is hard to argue with George HW’s Medal for Bravery – proving him to be a better pilot.
The most distinguishing mark of the Bush presidency, whether it be that of the father or that of the son, is their foreign policy – specifically, the Saddam Factor. During George H.W. Bush’s incumbency, a new era in world history was ushered in with the end of the Cold War and fall of communism in Russia and Berlin. General Manuel Noriega was thrown out of power when George H.W. sent troops to Panama to protect Americans and American interests in the region; Noriega was later tried in the US for drug trafficking.
When Iraq invaded Kuwait, George H.W. sent troops to free Kuwait and stop Saddam Hussein from advancing to Saudi Arabia – Operation Desert Storm was quick and successful. However, George H.W.’s domestic woes included a faltering economy, racial violence, and high deficit spending for which he had no excuse.
During George W.’s presidency came one of America’s darkest days – September 11th 2001 attacks on The Twin Towers at The World Trade Center and The Pentagon; America bled while Saddam applauded. In response to these events, George W vowed to go after terrorists as well as Saddam Hussein himself which led into what became known as The Iraq War or Second Gulf War.
Unfortunately for President Bush Jr., public opinion has not been kind due to how poorly things have gone during this war on terror.
This has been a most interesting study of comparison and contrast between a father and son, two presidents, and two strong personalities who not only shared a name but also held the most powerful position in the world’s most powerful nation. They were both pilots, walked the campus of Yale as students, were businessmen from oil-rich Texas, loved baseball, and had political pedigree. Very few have had the privilege to serve as presidents or wielded such awesome powers to steer a nation through its toughest moments; even fewer have been destined to move nations and make history by doing so. George Herbert Walker Bush was the 41st President of the United States of America while his son George Walker Bush served as America’s 43rd President. Both men embodied all of these qualities.
Source:
- The White House. (n.d.) Retrieved November 14, 2006, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/
