Imagine if Bush had had Obama's record at the end of his first term:
* A net gain of less than 300,000 jobs in 4 years for the worst job-creation record since the Great Depression, and a weak average GDP growth of barely 1.7%. (Actually, average GDP growth for Bush's 8 years was 2.5%, and that was in spite of 9/11, the 2002 recession, Katrina, and the 2008 financial crisis).
* An average unemployment rate of well over 8%. (Actually, average unemployment for Bush's 8 years was 5.2%, and that was in spite of 9/11, the 2002 recession, Katrina, and the 2008 financial crisis.)
* A drop of over $4,000 in median family income. (Actually, under Bush, after-tax per-capita income increased 8% from 2001 to 2007--again, in spite of a recession, 9/11, and Katrina. Including 2008, after-tax per capita income increased 5.5% for Bush's 8 years, still a big improvement over Obama's record.)
* $5.5 trillion in new debt in just 46 months. (Actually, total new debt for Bush's 8 years was $5.1 trillion, so Obama has doubled Bush's rate of debt accumulation.)
* A chronically high poverty rate of 15% (give or take .05%). (Under Bush, the poverty rate averaged 12.9%--and, to repeat yet again, that was in spite of 9/11, two recessions, and Katrina.)
* A net gain of less than 300,000 jobs in 4 years for the worst job-creation record since the Great Depression, and a weak average GDP growth of barely 1.7%. (Actually, average GDP growth for Bush's 8 years was 2.5%, and that was in spite of 9/11, the 2002 recession, Katrina, and the 2008 financial crisis).
* An average unemployment rate of well over 8%. (Actually, average unemployment for Bush's 8 years was 5.2%, and that was in spite of 9/11, the 2002 recession, Katrina, and the 2008 financial crisis.)
* A drop of over $4,000 in median family income. (Actually, under Bush, after-tax per-capita income increased 8% from 2001 to 2007--again, in spite of a recession, 9/11, and Katrina. Including 2008, after-tax per capita income increased 5.5% for Bush's 8 years, still a big improvement over Obama's record.)
* $5.5 trillion in new debt in just 46 months. (Actually, total new debt for Bush's 8 years was $5.1 trillion, so Obama has doubled Bush's rate of debt accumulation.)
* A chronically high poverty rate of 15% (give or take .05%). (Under Bush, the poverty rate averaged 12.9%--and, to repeat yet again, that was in spite of 9/11, two recessions, and Katrina.)