Bush to meet with Obama, prepare for transition

He’s known as one of the most controversial presidents in U.S. history, and with just more than two months left until he hands power over to President-elect Barack Obama, experts say President Bush will avoid doing anything to further fuel that reputation.

Bush

There has been some speculation that Bush might try to pass executive orders or make political appointments before leaving office, but it’s unlikely he could get much support for any such measures, assistant James Madison College professor Matt Zierler said.

“Congress hasn’t been doing anything they don’t support,” Zierler said. “They’re not going to grant him a broad set of authority.”

Bush is scheduled to meet with Obama today to discuss Obama’s move to the White House.

He has said he will fully cooperate with Obama’s transition teams to make the turnover smooth.

“Historically, once power’s turned over from one party to another, often there’s been hostility and resentment, but I think the evidence for the moment is that we’re going to see an unprecedented level of cooperation from the Bush administration,” said Mark Kornbluh, professor and Department of History chairman.

Kornbluh said a possible motivation for this cooperation is the attitude among many in the Bush administration that they are serving their country, not their leader, and therefore should make the transfer of power as easy as possible.

Still, Zierler said, Bush likely will have to make some decisions regarding the economy and other issues that require quick action.

“He’s still the president,” Zierler said. “Obama will be moving ahead on a transition team, but they’re not governing.”

For the most part, students said they want Bush to continue doing his job, but take Obama’s views into account when he makes decisions.

“I would hope that Bush would be involved in … getting everyone up to speed and doing what he can to ensure that it’s a smooth transition,” kinesiology senior Jennifer McIlhargey said.

But James Madison College freshman Max Yancho said he would like to see Bush keep his hands completely out of the process and avoid making any decisions during the next two months.

“He’s already going to be remembered as kind of a poor president,” Yancho said. “Just lay low and do damage control at this point.”

Experts said Bush’s post-presidential interests will probably be in business, where his career began. But don’t expect to see much of Bush anytime soon after he leaves office, he said.

“There will certainly be a time where he will be out of the spotlight,” Kornbluh said.

Past presidents, such as Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon, have left office amid dissatisfaction but have been redeemed in the judgment of history, Zierler said.

He added that Bush’s reputation is unlikely to improve with time.

“At this point, it doesn’t look good,” he said.

“But we need the hindsight because it’s always hard to say what presidents actually cause. World events go on. It’s always difficult to say who or what (was responsible).”