Jackson Free Press

/> George W. Bush is the 43rd President of the United States. He was sworn into office January 20, 2001, after a campaign in which he outlined sweeping proposals to reform America's public schools, transform our national defense, provide tax relief, modernize Social Security and Medicare, and encourage faith-based and community organizations to work with government to help Americans in need. President Bush served for six years as the 46th Governor of the State of Texas, where he earned a reputation as a compassionate conservative who shaped public policy based on the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, strong families, and local control.

President Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, and he grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1968, then served as an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. President Bush received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1975. After graduating, he moved back to Midland and began a career in the energy business. After working on his father's successful 1988 presidential campaign, he assembled the group of partners that purchased the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989.
He served as managing general partner of the Texas Rangers until he was elected Governor on November 8, 1994, with 53.5 percent of the vote. He became the first Governor in Texas history to be elected to consecutive four-year terms when he was re-elected on November 3, 1998, with 68.6 percent of the vote.

Since taking office, President Bush has signed into law bold initiatives to improve public schools by raising standards, requiring accountability, and strengthening local control. He has signed tax relief that provided rebate checks and lower tax rates for everyone who pays income taxes in America. He has increased pay and benefits for America's military and is working to save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. He is also committed to ushering in a responsibility era in America, and has called on all Americans to be "citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building communities of service and a Nation of character."
The attacks of September 11th changed America - and in President Bush's words, "in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment." President Bush declared war against terror and has made victory in the war on terrorism and the advance of human freedom the priorities of his Administration. Already, the United States military and a great coalition of nations have liberated the people of Afghanistan from the brutal Taliban regime and denied al Qaeda its safe haven of operations. Thousands of terrorists have been captured or killed and operations have been disrupted in many countries around the world. In the President's words, "our Nation - this generation - will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

President Bush is married to Laura Welch Bush, a former teacher and librarian, and they have twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. The Bush family also includes their dog Barney and their cat India.

Richard B. Cheney has had a distinguished career as a businessman and public servant, serving four Presidents and as an elected official. Throughout his service, Mr. Cheney served with duty, honor, and unwavering leadership, gaining him the respect of the American people during trying military times.

Mr. Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941 and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He earned his bachelor's and master's of arts degrees from the University of Wyoming. His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration, serving in a number of positions at the Cost of Living Council, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and within the White House.

When Gerald Ford assumed the Presidency in August 1974, Mr. Cheney served on the transition team and later as Deputy Assistant to the President. In November 1975, he was named Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff, a position he held throughout the remainder of the Ford Administration.

After he returned to his home state of Wyoming in 1977, Mr. Cheney was elected to serve as the state's sole Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected five times and elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 1981 to 1987. He was elected Chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1987 and elected House Minority Whip in 1988. During his tenure in the House, Mr. Cheney earned a reputation as a man of knowledge, character, and accessibility.

Mr. Cheney also served a crucial role when America needed him most. As Secretary of Defense from March 1989 to January 1993, Mr. Cheney directed two of the largest military campaigns in recent history - Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. He was responsible for shaping the future of the U.S. military in an age of profound and rapid change as the Cold War ended. For his leadership in the Gulf War, Secretary Cheney was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush on July 3, 1991.

Mr. Cheney married his high school sweetheart, Lynne Ann Vincent, in 1964, and they have grown daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, three granddaughters and one grandson.

Bios and picture taken from the official White House website

Previous Comments

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168386

Comment

AP today reports that Bush is sharpening his attacks on Kerry, and ramping up the personal attacks: President Bush blistered Sen. John Kerry on Wednesday as an apostle of "retreat in Iraq" and tax-and-spend liberalism at home. The administration is "out of touch with reality" Democratic running mate John Edwards countered in a campaign growing more caustic by the day. "Sen. Kerry assures us that he's the one to win a war he calls a mistake, an error, and a diversion" Bush said in a speech designed to reclaim the campaign offensive midway through a series of four debates. "But you can't win a war if you don't believe in fighting," he said of his challenger, five times a decorated Vietnam War veteran. "... Iraq is no diversion. It is a place where civilization is taking a decisive stand against chaos and terror, we must not waver," Bush added. The president unleashed his newly sharpened attack nearly a week after a scowling, unsteady debate performance that led to a gain in the polls by the Democratic nominee and one day after the Iraq war dominated the only vice presidential encounter of the race.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-06T15:38:10-06:00

ID

168387

Comment

AP reports that the Bush campaign is again saying a vote for Kerry is a vote "for a more dangerous world." In turn, Kerry points to Bush's "failures." President Bush is extending his criticism of Sen. John Kerry on national security to the fund-raising front, telling prospective GOP donors in an e-mail pitch that a Kerry presidency "would make for a more dangerous world." In a two-page fund-raising e-mail sent Thursday by the Bush-Cheney campaign, Bush accused Kerry of "confusing contradictions" on whether it was right for the United States to go to war in Iraq. "This is just one example of how my opponent's weak, vacillating views would make for a more dangerous world," Bush wrote. "In these final days of the campaign, will you make one more contribution to the Republican National Committee so they can help me and the Republican team get our message to the American people?" Kerry also sent a fund-raising e-mail Thursday with sharp words for his opponent. The Democrat asked donors to help raise $5 million for the Democratic Party before midnight Friday, the day of his second debate with Bush. "For the last four years, George Bush has favored the wealthy and well-connected, and turned a blind eye to the devastating impact of his policies on America's families," Kerry wrote in the e-mail sent by the Kerry-Edwards campaign. "As evidence of his failures piles up all around him, George Bush refuses to budge. The only thing he has to offer is more of the same."

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-07T10:08:58-06:00

ID

168388

Comment

The blogosphere is abuzz with speculation that Bush was actually wired during the first debate with someone telling him what to say. The story is fueled by a photo of his back that seems to indicate an electronic device under his coat. Is it true? Who knows? Is it believable? Sadly, yes. True or not, shouldn't we elect a president that we could never, ever believe would deceive the public in such a way? Rory O'Connor at is in front of this fascinating conspiracy theory. Salon today looks at the rumors. A new Web site to investigate the rumors is here.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-08T15:41:09-06:00

ID

168389

Comment

The other remarkable story I heard today was NPR's Nina Totenberg reporting on the Bush's campaign screening of crowds for his public appearances. This one, unlike the "wired" rumor above, in undisputably true, and terribly disturbing. You must listen to the piece to see what lengths Bush, and even the U.S. Secret Service, are going to keep potential Bush opponents out of his rallies. Some would-be attendees at President Bush's campaign events say they're being asked to leave for wearing clothes or stickers that support the president's opponent. At Sen. Kerry's rallies, the presidential hopeful ruefully acknowledges the presence of the opposition. NPR's Nina Totenberg examines the rights of campaign event planners and attendees.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-08T15:45:53-06:00

ID

168390

Comment

The wired story is believable - tragically so. The photo from behind of W during the debate shows a clear rectangular bulge between his shoulder blades. It would explain some of his odd behavior during that debate. The loyalty oath thing is very disturbing, but I do think that it's hurting Bush's abilities in the debates. Since he's used to preaching to the choir all the time, I really don't think he's used to arguing his side at all.

Author

kate

Date

2004-10-08T17:09:36-06:00

ID

168391

Comment

Salon has this update: The surrogates and spinners on hand for tonight's debate in St. Louis don't agree on much, but they do see eye-to-eye on this: There's virtually no chance that George W. Bush wore a listening device during the first presidential debate. Kerry campaign spokesman Joe Lockhart told Salon that it is "virtually impossible" that Bush wore a wire last week -- and that if he did, it didn't work very well. "If he had someone talking in his ear, he should have gotten someone better to talk in his ear," Lockhart said. Asked whether he could categorically deny that Bush wore any kind of listening device, Bush-Cheney spokesman Steve Schmidt said: "It sounds like complete and total nonsense." Sounds like, or is? "Complete and total nonsense," Schmidt said. Was that a non-denial denial? Maybe. Or maybe it was just the Bush campaign keeping alive a trivial "bad news" story because it's better than talking about the new job numbers or the war in Iraq.

Author

kate

Date

2004-10-08T17:14:33-06:00

ID

168392

Comment

the latest from Salon on the bulge. and maybe kate is right, is this just another trivial off the point story? wish I'd seen Leno last night (not really) sorry this comment is too long, I will truncate. well, just go look. http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/ The Energizer president .....The conventional wisdom is that a key reason John Kerry selected sunny-faced John Edwards for his running mate was Edwards' strength as a debater, and the belief that he would be an effective foil to dour Dick Cheney. As far as campaigning goes, Edwards has proven himself more than a one-trick pony -- and apparently he's got a knack for comedy as well. As War Room reported yesterday, the Bush mystery bulge had its network late-night debut during David Letterman's monologue on Monday's "Late Show," but the bulge popped up even more front and center when John Edwards appeared on Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" on Tuesday. "I think it was his battery," a grinning Edwards told Leno, regarding the phenomenon. "I think tomorrow, before the debate, John Kerry ought to pat him down," Edwards added, ahead of the final round in Arizona tonight. "So you think it's his battery?" Leno asked. "Absolutely." Edwards said. War Room could not determine if it was

Author

sunshine

Date

2004-10-13T15:47:40-06:00

ID

168393

Comment

Adam Cohen writes in the New York Times: Abortion might be a crime in most states. Gay people could be thrown in prison for having sex in their homes. States might be free to become mini-theocracies, endorsing Christianity and using tax money to help spread the gospel. The Constitution might no longer protect inmates from being brutalized by prison guards. Family and medical leave and environmental protections could disappear. It hardly sounds like a winning platform, and of course President Bush isn't openly espousing these positions. But he did say in his last campaign that his favorite Supreme Court justices were Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, and the nominations he has made to the lower courts bear that out. Justices Scalia and Thomas are often called "conservative," but that does not begin to capture their philosophies. Both vehemently reject many of the core tenets of modern constitutional law. For years, Justices Scalia and Thomas have been lobbing their judicial Molotov cocktails from the sidelines, while the court proceeded on its moderate-conservative path. But given the ages and inclinations of the current justices, it is quite possible that if Mr. Bush is re-elected, he will get three appointments, enough to forge a new majority that would turn the extreme Scalia-Thomas worldview into the law of the land. There is every reason to believe Roe v. Wade would quickly be overturned. Mr. Bush ducked a question about his views on Roe in the third debate. But he sent his base a coded message in the second debate, with an odd reference to the Dred Scott case. Dred Scott, an 1857 decision upholding slavery, is rarely mentioned today, except in right-wing legal circles, where it is often likened to Roe. (Anti-abortion theorists say that the court refused to see blacks as human in Dred Scott and that the same thing happened to fetuses in Roe.) For more than a decade, Justices Scalia and Thomas have urged their colleagues to reverse Roe and "get out of this area, where we have no right to be."

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-18T09:45:56-06:00

ID

168394

Comment

Relevant recession trivia from Factcheck.org: The ad by the pro-Bush group Progress for America Voter Fund claims the economy was already in a recession when Bush took office, but the National Bureau of Economic Research (which dates business cycles) says†the recession actually began†in March 2001, after Bush took office in January. The facts also get stretched when the ad claims "41 million seniors nowhave access to lower cost prescriptions (emphasis added)."†Bush's new prescription drug benefit will cover†seniors on Medicare for an extra premium of about $35 a month,†but not until†2006. Even the currently available drug discount cards have been used much less than expected. Current enrollment is†less than†5 million.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-18T09:49:04-06:00

ID

168395

Comment

AFP today: A group of widows of September 11 victims slammed President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s record against terrorism, accusing the US leader of making the United States less safe and of bringing terrorism to Iraq (news - web sites). "He has made us less secure," said Monica Gabrielle, a member of the widows' group, which is supporting Democratic White House hopeful John Kerry (news - web sites) in the November 2 election. "There are many things that have not been done here at home which could have been," she said in a telephone conference with reporters. "This president had three years with the Republican Congress to get so much more done to make us safer."

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-18T12:47:00-06:00

ID

168396

Comment

Salon today on Bulge-Gate. ;-D Forget the firestorm over stolen Iraqi explosives. The Bush Bulge continues to be the real talk of Washington. Today the president tried to lay it to rest once and for all on ABC's "Good Morning America," by confessing, "I'm embarrassed to say it's a poorly tailored shirt." This was a new version of an earlier blame-the-tailor line of defense offered by the Bush-Cheney campaign, which pointed the finger at a suit coat malfunction. The problem with this explanation, of course, is that the presidential tailor in question turned out to be French -- a man with the classically Gallic moniker, Georges de Paris. And that instantly raised a troubling question in red-state America: what the hell is red-blooded George W. Bush doing outsourcing his tailoring needs to some Frenchy named Paris? And why does he need to go overseas when Paris is obviously less skilled at producing a smooth-fitting jacket -- or shirt -- than any off-the-rack designer at Bloomingdale's? The headache for the White House only got bigger when the Hill ran a photo of Paris, who was revealed to be an eccentric-looking gnome of fellow, with a shocking white cascade of curls that put one immediately in mind of, well, a French poodle.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-26T16:46:52-06:00

ID

168397

Comment

Over at Salon, they're reporting: NASA photo analyst: Bush wore a device during debate. "Hapke, too, agrees that the bulge is neither anatomy nor a wrinkled shirt. "I would think it's very hard to avoid the conclusion that there's something underneath his jacket," he says. "It would certainly be consistent with some kind of radio receiver and a wire." Nelson admits that he's a Democrat and plans to vote for John Kerry. But he takes umbrage at being accused of partisanship. "Everyone wants to think my colleague and I are just a bunch of dope-crazed ravaged Democrats who are looking to insult the president at the last minute," he says. "And that's not what this is about. This is scientific analysis. If the bulge were on Bill Clinton's back and he was lying about it, I'd have to say the same thing." "Look, he says, "I'm putting myself at risk for exposing this. But this is too important. It's not about my reputation. If they force me into an early retirement, it'll be worth it if the public knows about this. It's outrageous statements that I read that the president is wearing nothing under there. There's clearly something there." The enhanced photos are pretty scary.

Author

kate

Date

2004-10-29T08:22:34-06:00

ID

168398

Comment

I just bumped into the Mississippi page on the George W. Bush Web site. Note how the Stars & Bars part of the Mississippi flag is strategically placed for the greatest effect. This is so gross. It is also intriguing that the site actually admits that more than half of Mississippians *are not* going: "In 2004, more than 885,000 Mississippi residents will enjoy the benefits of lower income tax bills, per direct result of the Presidentís tax relief policies." And here's a link that shows why we've been getting all the template letters. It's the same sound bites over and over. They will also help you figure out how to call into talk radio (!). Maybe I'm not looking closely enough, but I can't find a single black face on the page that supposedly represents the state with the highest percentage of African Americans. Maybe even Karl Rove knows how tacky that would be under that prominent Confederate symbol. And, oh my God, look at this. Kerry is getting dinged by Bush for being "anti-Southern Strategy": ANTI-SOUTHERN STRATEGY Kerry Said Democrats Make "The Mistake Of Looking South."† "Everybody always makes the mistake of looking South ... Al Gore proved he could have been president of the United States without winning one Southern state, including his own." I am speechless.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-30T17:05:57-06:00

ID

168399

Comment

OK, class, let's talk about these so-called facts from the Bush-Mississippi-Defend the Southern Strategy site. Anyone got some factcheck info at your fingertips? The Kerry Record†<†Mississippi†<†Home Why John Kerry is Wrong For Mississippi VOTING FOR HIGHER TAXES Kerry Voted Against President Bush's Historic Tax Cuts In 2001 And 2003. Kerry will go "backward" on tax cuts. "Mr. Kerry acknowledged that in supporting the repeal of tax cuts, Democrats were opening themselves up to being portrayed as supporting tax increases, although he said he was prepared to fight that argument. 'Let's have the debate about America's choices Ö And if it requires us to go backward, we're going backward on that tax cut.'"(Adam Nagourney, "Kerry Introduces Health Plan, Pointing Up Divisions Among Democratic Contenders," The New York Times, 5/17/03) BAD FOR MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURE Kerry Has Called To "Get Rid Of The Agriculture Department."† Kerry said, "I think we can reduce the size of WashingtonÖ Get rid of the Agriculture Department, or at least render it three-quarters the size it is today; there are more agriculture bureaucrats than there are farmers in this country." (Timothy J. Connolly and Mike Elfland, "Kerry Rips Into GOP On Budget," [Worchester, MA] Telegram & Gazette, 1/6/96)† Kerry also voted to eliminate $41 million in disaster relief for cotton farmers and was in favor of labeling certain fish from Vietnam as catfish.† The Mississippi catfish industry was hurt by Vietnamese "catfish."† (Robb Walsh, "Fish Fraud," Houston Press, 11/1/01)

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-30T17:08:57-06:00

ID

168400

Comment

OUT OF TOUCH WITH MISSISSIPPI VALUES Kerry Supports Partial-Birth Abortion And Has Voted At Least Six Times Against Banning The Procedure.† Recently, Kerry was rated the "most liberal" member of Congress.† (Helen Dewar and Dan Balz, "Kerry's 19 Years In Senate Invite Scrutiny," The Washington Post, 2/8/04; National Journal Website, "How They Measured Up," http://nationaljournal.com, 2/27/04) TROUBLING RECORD ON NATIONAL SECURITY Kerry and Edwards Voted Against The $87 Billion Iraq Supplemental.† These funds provided body armor and other force protection measures such as armored Humvees, as well as health care for reservists, support for families and meals for injured soldiers.† And Kerry would replace the Patriot Act that is keeping America safe.† Kerry has said, "So it is time to end the era of John Ashcroft.† That starts with replacing the Patriot Act with a new law that protects our people and our liberties at the same time."† (Remarks By Senator John Kerry, Iowa State University, http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_1201.html, Accessed 3/11/04) HIGHER TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY Kerry Has Voted For Higher Taxes On Social Security Benefits At Least Eight Times.† He also voted to increase taxes on seniors making as little as $34,000 per year.† Seniors make up 12.1 percent of Mississippi's population.† (U.S. Census Website, www.census.gov, Accessed 3/15/04) AGAINST SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS Kerry Received An "F" On The Most Recent National Rifle Association Report Card.†(National Rifle Association, "NRA U.S. Senate Key Votes," 1985-2004) Kerry was one of 17 Senators to vote to ban 12 assault style weapons in addition to those banned in the underlying bill.† Kerry voted for mandatory trigger locks and for a fourteen day waiting period.† ANTI-SOUTHERN STRATEGY Kerry Said Democrats Make "The Mistake Of Looking South."† "Everybody always makes the mistake of looking South ... Al Gore proved he could have been president of the United States without winning one Southern state, including his own." (Sen. John Kerry As Quoted In Katharine Q. Seelye, "Kerry And Edwards Face A Critical Test In The South," The New York Times, 1/29/04)

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-30T17:09:13-06:00

ID

168401

Comment

OPPOSES BAN ON AMERICAN FLAG DESECRATION Kerry Has Voted At Least Three Times Against Ban On Flag Burning.† GAY MARRIAGE Kerry Was One Of Only 14 Senators Who Voted Against The 1996 Defense Of Marriage Act, Which Banned Federal Recognition Of Gay Marriage And Same-Sex Partner Benefits.† In July 2003, Kerry suggested he "might eventually" support gay marriage if it became publicly acceptable. Kerry believes civil unions "'would be more acceptable to the public than marriage for homosexual couples. Kerry indicated he might eventually back gay marriages if a public consensus developed for them. 'We need to achieve what we can, and then we will see where we are,' he said."† (Ronald Brownstein, "Gay Issues Get Democratic Field's Backing," Los Angeles Times, 7/16/03) VOTING AGAINST FUNDING FOR MISSISSIPPI'S MEDICAID PROGRAM Last Year, Kerry Twice Voted Against Bill Providing $10 Billion Additional Funding For State Medicaid Programs.† "The President's FY 2005 budget provides more than $183 billion for Medicaid in FY 2005, including more than $2 billion in Mississippi."† ("President Bush's Budget And Mississippi," Fact Sheet, The White House, 2/2/04)

Author

ladd

Date

2004-10-30T17:09:26-06:00