Biography & Career Of George W. Bush

3 years ago

Biography & Career Of George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush previously served as the 46th governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

Early Life

Bush Junior was born on July 6th, 1946, in Connecticut. At the time, his father was studying at Yale. His mother, Barbara Bush, had been married to Bush Senior for a year. He was raised alongside four siblings, including Jeb Bush. Another sibling died of leukemia at age three. Political careers run in the Bush family, and Bush Junior's grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a Senator from Connecticut.

After attending prep schools, George W. Bush was sent to boarding school in Massachusetts. Although his academic record was fairly undistinguished, he did act as the head cheerleader. He then moved on to Yale, where he studied history, continued acting as a cheerleader, and made the starting squad for the rugby team. He also joined the Skull and Bones society in his final year. Bush Junior was an average student, and he was rejected by the University of Texas Law School. Harvard Business School accepted the future politician, however, and he managed to earn his MBA at this institution – a degree that no other U.S. president has acquired.

Military Service

Prior to attending Harvard Business School, Bush Senior joined the Texas Air National Guard. This was during the Vietnam war era, although Bush Junior never saw active combat in this conflict. Instead, he logged a number of flight hours and drilled with the guard, later enjoying a promotion. After becoming involved in political pursuits, failing to attend drills, and missing scheduled physical exams, Bush Junior was honorably discharged.

Political Career

George W. Bush first became involved in politics in 1978, when he ran for the house of representatives in one of Texas' districts. Bush Junior lost with 46 percent of the vote. Ten years later, Bush Junior helped his father with his election campaign and traveled to Washington, D.C. Eventually, Junior would travel across the nation to help his father gain support. The situation played out again in 1991, and his father named him as a campaign advisor for his re-election campaign.

In 1994, George W. Bush ran for the governor of Texas. He won in 1995 with 53 percent of the vote. Highlights of his time as governor include allowing Texans to obtain a concealed weapon carry permit, $2 billion in tax cuts, and helping Texas become the nation's biggest provider of wind-generated electricity. By the year 2000, the media was assessing Bush Junior's potential to become the next president, and he sought the Republican presidential nomination not long after being re-elected as governor of Texas.

George W. Bush announced plans to expand the U.S. military and suggested he was more of a centrist compared to other conservatives. He also pledged to cut taxes. By July, he had selected Dick Cheney as his running mate, and not long afterward he had won the Republican nomination. Later that year, he defeated Al Gore in a close election.

Presidency

George W. Bush initially had ambitious plans for the United States' domestic policy, but these were soon derailed by the September 11th terrorist attacks. Soon afterward came wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which became focal points of Bush Junior's presidency. These wars would prove an important and beneficial talking point in Bush Junior's successful re-election campaign. Although George W. Bush started strong in the eyes of the American people, his approval rates steadily dropped, hitting rock-bottom during the 2008 housing collapse and recession.

Personal Life

In 1977, George W. Bush met Laura Welch at a backyard barbecue. Later that year, they were married. In 1982, Laura gave birth to twin girls. After leaving the White House, George W. Bush became an avid painter. He is also interested in golf and baseball.