Election+of+2004

Bush vs. Kerry ** Republican president George W. Bush and his opponent, democrat John F. Kerry met in three televised debates which gave Americans a great opportunity to see which side they would take for the 2004 election. Bush and Kerry battled over their differing approaches to leadership, to the Iraq war and the war, and several domestic issues such as the economy, health care, and gay marriages. Kerry pointed out several downsides during Bush’s first term. He talked about lose of jobs, the budget surpluses and how they are now large deficits, and that the administration’s policies increased global warming. Also, on of the biggest disputes Kerry attacked Bush with, was his decision to invade Iraq. Bush fought back by noting Kerry’s Senate vote to give him authority to wage war in Iraq. The election was very close and just like in 2000, it came down to one state, Ohio. Bush got more popular votes then Kerry and was reelected president.

After the reelection, Bush already had his second term agenda planned out and was ready to make moves. One of his first moves was a major change for younger people. His plan was for the younger people to use some of the money they paid in Social Security taxes to fund private retirement accounts. The summer of 2005 was a point when Bush was most successful due to a new trade agreement. This agreement would lower barriers between the United States and Central America and the Caribbean. Less than a year after his reelection, the government response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, in August 2005, seemed to catalyze public disappointment with the president. As the November 2006, mid-term elections approached, the progress in the war in Iraq appeared as a significant national issue.
 * Second Term Agenda**

An enormous amount of money was being spent on the war which was one of the few reasons for why our economy is in a recession. As 2007 approached, several events took place to lead us into a recession. Some of the events include the collapsing housing market, tightening credit conditions, and rising prices for gasoline, food, and health care. The U.S. housing boom that began in 1995 finally went bust when 2007 came around. Inflation was huge when 2007 came around. Workers wages failed to keep up with the prices that are going up in the economy. The higher costs for energy and food pushed inflation up by the largest amount in 17 years.
 * The Recession **