Historian Says Decades From Now Bush Legacy Could Be One Of High-Regard

By Amy Hunter
Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: September 13, 2008

BRISTOL, Va. – If presidential approval ratings are an accurate portrayal of American opinion, then President Bush will go down as the most unpopular president in American history to date, a prominent historian said here Saturday.

But history changes things. And decades from now, the Bush legacy could be one of high-regard and reverence, he added.

“The way presidential history works is that the longer you wait, the fairer the judgment,” said Michael Beschloss, one of the country’s premier presidential historians and a speaker Saturday during the Bristol Public Library’s summer lecture series. “Looking back, we have access to all kinds of information – letters, correspondence, records.”

Beschloss spoke in Kegley Auditorium at Virginia Intermont College before a nearly packed house that came to hear about his life, his work and his musings on the current political climate in America.

Beschloss, a New York Times best-selling author who has published eight books, spoke for more than an hour and touched on topics ranging from colorful anecdotes of former President Lyndon Johnson to the current race for the White House.

“Both campaigns are sort of lost in one-liners,” he said in an interview. “As long as people get a lot of their news from 24-hour sources, you’re putting a lot of emphasis on who can have a snappier commercial.”

Beschloss said cable television, the 24-hour news cycle and the pervading culture of immediacy has had a profound impact on presidential campaigns. There is no time for a long, nuanced discussion on complicated issues, he said. These information sources have affected the way people vote by elevating candidates that voters can relate to, Beschloss said.

“You’re gonna feel better about a person you can relate to because when he makes a decision you don’t know about, you trust their opinion,” he said. “This election is looking a lot actually like the last two. There are two nominees who are closely matched and the country is divided on a lot of issues.”

This election differs from the last two because of intense feelings about the current state of the country: the poor economy, the ongoing war and an overwhelming need for change, he said.

For Bush, despite his abysmal approval ratings, his legacy will be determined by the long-term success of his presidency, Beschloss said. If Iraq settles and democracy takes root, the war will have been a success, he said, adding that if U.S. efforts in Iraq fail, he’ll be viewed unfavorably.

“I was interested in what he said about Harry Truman’s low approval rating,” said Frank Goodpasture, who attended the speech. “It certainly begged the question of how Bush will be viewed in 30 years.”
Beschloss delighted the audience with his playful stories, attendees said afterward.

More than his historical expertise, many said they were pleased he came because it was a positive event for the community.

“It was important that he was here. I’m glad the library had someone with national stature come,” Goodpasture said. “It has a wonderful halo effect on the community.”

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