End of an Era

Last night, the 43rd President of the United States addressed the people one last time. In a rather short-winded speech, President George W. Bush thanked the people for the honor to have served as president. Immediately following the live telecast, media outlets wasted no time in colorfully commentating on all the negative legacies of President Bush.

It has been eight long years for sure. I supported George W. Bush in 2000. I knew, even back then, that he was not the most eloquent speaker, the most charismatic leader the United States could offer. I wasn't completely sold on his credentials. But I thought he would be the better person for the job than the seemingly smug and condescending Democratic nominee, Vice-President Al Gore. His campaign for compassionate conservatism seemed attractive at the time.

I also supported him in 2004. While his actions immediately following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001 were commendable, he had led the country into an ill-advised war, stirring up the hornet's nest in Iraq. His decision to proudly land on an aircraft carrier with a banner that proclaimed that the mission was over would come back to haunt him. The years following the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom was not what he had envisioned. Thousands of U.S. soldiers returned home in flag-draped caskets, and many more returned physically and psychologically disabled. Yet, I could not get myself to support the Democratic nominee for President, Senator John Kerry. I could not agree with Kerry's domestic policy plans and more importantly, his foreign policy goals. The election of 2004 became the election of the lesser of two evils.

Forgotten in the midst of all the political backlash from his decision to invade Iraq on faulty intelligence is one of President Bush's greatest foreign policy achievement. Former Senator Bill Frist wrote an excellent commentary for CNN today that gave the American people a rather positive view of the outgoing president. President Bush's commitment to fight AIDS in Africa produced the PEPFAR bill in 2003 that committed $15 billion over the next five years. It was more money committed to fighting the disease in Africa than any other presidents before. And it is widely credited by doctors, health officials, and aid workers from across the political spectrum as being highly effective in addressing a critical health need in the world. The commentary also goes on to speak of President Bush's legacy on the fight against malaria in Africa and other domestic health initiatives.

All this being said, the eight years of President Bush's administration is up. There have been many successes and failures. From rising on the ashes of the World Trade Center to flying past New Orleans in the wake of Hurrican Katrina, from passing the bipartisan led No Child Left Behind to deregulation of the financial industry, the past eight years have been eventful to say the least. But he made the hard decisions based on what he knew at the time like President-elect Obama will do when he takes office on Tuesday. Hindsight is 20/20, and knowing what we know about Iraq and Afghanistan, we can blast the President all we want. But what's done is done, and I loved how he quoted Thomas Jefferson last night when he said, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past."

On Tuesday, Barack Hussein Obama will take the oath to become the 44th President of the United States of America. It is the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. May God bless America!