George W. Bush

democratic candidate in 2000

Al Gore, VP: Lieberman

republican candidate in 2000

George W. Bush, VP: Cheney

Colin Powell

first black male secretary of state

Condoleezza Rice

first black female secretary of state

no child left behind

championed standardized tests: how much funding a school recevies depends on how students performed on standardized tests

energy plan

eased regulations on oil drilling in the US

lots of environmental groups were against this, and because Cheney formely worked in the oil industry many say this as a way to benefit his friends

economic downturn

stock market plunged, deficit increased, wall street bankruptcy

War on Terror

declared by congress, gave Bush al the necessary power after 9/11 attacks

USA Patriot Act

gave federal government the ability to surveil american people

violation of 4th amendment, however people were so terrified after 9/11 they didn’t care

Bush Doctrine

use military power for pre-emptive war against ANY nation that threatened national power

War in Iraq (2003)

Bush declares war, claiming Hussein is storing weapons

military goes into Iraq and finds no evidence of weapons, Americans are upset

2004 Presidential election

John Kerry vs. George W. Bush

Bush: questions how Kerry had so many medals from Vietnam after serving only for a few months

Kerry: “Bush lied about Iraq”

Bush’s domestic policy

social security and tax codes

Bush’s opinions during second term

immigration: advocated for stricter immigration laws

gay marriage: spoke out against gay marriage

plan B: not widely acceptable, Bush tried to keep it that way

stem cell research: against it

Lawrence v. Texas

SC case on gay rights during Bush presidency, Lawrence was arrested for sodomy, claimed it violated his civil rights

SC ruled it violated civil rights

Iraq

Bush removed Hussein from power, Iraq became unstable

Sunnis vs. Shi’a, Kurds — essentially a civil war

Lebanon (Hezbollah)

Hezbollah threatened Israel, US came to Israel’s defense

Hurricane Katrina

department of homeland security was supposed to prepare new orleans for the hurricane, they did not

Bush was on vacation — gave impression that government didn’t care about New Orleans (New Orleans had a huge black population, made it seem like the lack of care was on purpose)