George Bush Biography

U.S. President

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George Bush was a former World War II pilot, Texas oil tycoon, Republican congressman, U.N. ambassador and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency before serving as vice president under Ronald Reagan. Promising a "kinder, gentler nation," Bush defeated Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election. In spite of Bush's near-record popularity after military strikes against Panama and a successful war against Iraq, domestic discontent over economic and social issues took their toll, and he lost his bid for re-election in 1992 when he was defeated by Democrat Bill Clinton. Eight years later Bush's son George W. Bush followed Clinton as president after defeating Clinton's vice president, Al Gore, in the elections of 2000. George W. Bush served two full terms and was succeeded by Barack Obama in 2009.

Extra credit: Bush married Barbara Pierce in January of 1945; they had six children... George Bush is the grandfather of "First Twins" Jenna and Barbara Bush... His son Jeb Bush (brother of George W.) was elected governor of Florida in 1998... Because Bush was the 41st president, he is sometimes referred to as "41," and his son, George W. Bush, is likewise referred to as "43."

Bush appears with his son George W. in our loop on Presidents Closely Related; for more on their extended family, see The Bush Clan.

For a complete list of U.S. presidents, please go to Easy Reference for U.S. Presidents.

Blog posts mentioning George Bush: