The legacy of George W. Bush

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Prof. Stephen Wayne, Georgetown University, said, “The fact that he kept that policy on Iraq going in light of evidence that it wasn't working is really a failure and he looks bullying, inflexible and the vision looks overly simplistic and probably incorrect.”

And the bad economy certainly added fuel to the fire.

More than 11 million Americans are out of work as the unemployment rate hit a 16-year high.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell by nearly 34 percent in 2008, the worst decline since 1931.

And one in 10 US homeowners have defaulted on their mortgage payments or had their loans foreclosed.

Prof. Stephen Wayne, Georgetown University, said,"I don't think the President caused the recession, but he certainly was asleep at the wheel when it came."

On January 20th, George W. Bush will leave the White House for the last time as president, hoping history's final judgment of his legacy will improve.

But with the lowest poll ratings in living memory, and a record of few successes and many failures at home and abroad, it may be decades before there's a positive overall assessment of the George W. Bush presidency --- if, indeed, that ever happens.

Editor:Zhang Yun