Thousands of Christian war protesters marched on Friday night, marking another major point in the erosion of Bush's already diminished support. Hardcore supporters (i.e. the blind, deaf, and dumb) maintain that history will vindicate Bush, much as it did Truman. In fact, the Bush administration likens itself to the Truman administration. However, although Truman battled scandals and setbacks during his presidency, much of his work proved lasting and significant. The Marshall Plan rebuilt post-war Europe, the military was reorganized with the CIA, DOD, Air Force, and NSC as byproducts, and an unprecedented push for civil rights took place.
Much can be made of Truman's shortcomings and failures. Perhaps most notably, Truman initiated American involvement in Vietnam, but there is much good to point to in Truman's presidency. There is little good I can find in Bush's. Granted, we have not been attacked again, but any president would make the 9/11 attacks and defense of this country a top priority. What else is there?
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I don't think that it's fair to criticize Truman for involving us in Vietnam. His involvement in Vietnam, if I recall correctly, consisted almost entirely of aid to the French in their war there. He didn't turn it into the quagmire it became, and I don't see how he could have known future presidents would.
As for Bush, I have to agree. I honestly cannot think of a single significant thing he's done right. This is really sad, because even my least favorite presidents in history at least did SOMETHING positive while they were in office.
Perhaps history will vindicate at least some of his policies. I don't think it will, but you never know.
Fair point. It's true that Truman limited America's involvement to aid, but that was the first step to much greater involvement. I listed it primarily to present the highlights of his presidency.
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