The Prudent Professionalism of George Herbert Walker Bush

Just as the pre-presidential George Bush was described as a public servant who left no footprints, it is tempting to conclude that President Bush accomplished little or nothing during his time in the White House. In fact, he presided over the end of the Cold War and the largest United States military action since the Vietnam War, as well as a number of domestic achievements. Future presidents can derive positive lessons from Bush's often impressive political tactics, as well as cautions from his costly failures to make effective use of the bully pulpit and identify himself with a particular vision of the nation's future.