Same thing with Carter and Republicans. After he left office, people more and more began to focus on the person as an individual rather than as a failed president. George mishandled the aftermath of 911 by allowing war profiteers to guide our country into an unwinnable conflict.
But, it could of been worse. Nowadays, I imagine what things could have been like had he used overtly hateful rhetoric. He showed restraint there. Hell, he tried to EDUCATE Americans in those speeches why hating groups of people defiles our national spirit. Like it was his responsibility as leader to make sure to keep our national discourse from going down that route. I didn't like him as President, but I appreciate that greatly seeing ho things have become.
People would have eaten it up, just like they do now, too. Even more so. He could say "This religion is a cancer on the world and must be eradicated" and right after 911, he'd have fair support even then. I was 15 then... you'd hear worse things than that from 90% of people you talk to in the days that followed.
It's been said many times before, Trump is Bush's best friend. Bush is dumb for a president, but Trump is dumb for regular man. Bush is inarticulate for a president, but Trump is inarticulate for a regular man. It goes on and on.
My view on his is mixed. I think he was a horrible president who let his country down by knowingly letting scumbags steer this country in a direction he personally knew to be wrong because he was all too aware how unfit to lead he was. He was outside of his understanding and abilities, and turned to bad people to cover up his humiliation. He deserves everything people say about him.
BUT, I don't think he's a hateful man. A low bar, but nowadays I don't take this for granted. I actually imagine he's a GOOD man from virtually everything I've heard, but I don't know him personally so I can't say. As I said, it's like Carter and Republicans. My dad is a lifelong Republican. He says it all the time "Carter is one of the finest men. Awful president, but a great man." Mostly due to his philanthropy and volunteer work, I'd say.
I don't know if I'd go THAT far with Bush, but I think his worse sin is incompetence, rather than a malicious or hateful outlook.
Here is a bit of wisdom I have, having seen so many people come and go. In life, you have complicated relationships with family members and other associates. You might complain about them every day while they're here. But, after someone's gone, I swear, the good parts about someone are what you tend to remember the most. By a LONG shot.
In the same way, while Trump and Bush share a lot of faults. Bush, however, displayed a surplus of what Trump is missing most, and this lack of compassion and basic dignity is worse than any other hairbrained scheme Trump might try.
But, if polled, Do you like George W Bush? That's going to be a no from me, dog.