The US Presidency: Interpretations Since 1992 (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

George W. Bush (2001-2009)

Campaign aims

• Bush campaigned in 2000 on a platform of tax cuts, education reform and limited government, presenting himself as a compassionate conservative

• After 9/11 (2001), his priorities shifted towards national security and counterterrorism

Achievements

• Bush led the War on Terror, securing congressional authorisation for military action in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003)

• He passed the No Child Left Behind Act (2002), expanding federal involvement in education accountability

• Major tax cuts were introduced in 2001 and 2003, fulfilling a core campaign promise

Failures

• Bush failed to reform social security, with proposals blocked by a Republican Congress

• The Iraq War became increasingly unpopular, undermining public support

Overall

• Bush achieved some early aims, but long-term costs of war and economic mismanagement weakened his presidency and limited later success

Barack Obama (2009-2017)

Campaign aims

• Obama’s 2008 campaign focused on healthcare reform, economic recovery after the financial crisis, and climate action

• He also promised to reduce US military involvement abroad and reform immigration

Achievements

• Obama passed the Affordable Care Act (2010), a landmark healthcare reform expanding insurance to millions

• He introduced large economic stimulus packages to stabilise the economy following the 2008 crisis

• Obama played a leading role in securing the Paris Climate Agreement (2015)

Failures

• Comprehensive immigration reform failed repeatedly due to congressional opposition, forcing reliance on executive action such as DACA (2012)

• Gun control reforms were limited despite repeated mass shootings

• His cautious approach in Syria, failing to follow up on his threats that chemical weapons would be a red line that would lead to military intervention from the US

Overall

• Obama achieved major domestic reforms but was constrained by partisan gridlock, especially after Republicans gained Congress in 2010

Donald Trump (2017-2021)

Campaign aims

• Trump’s 2016 campaign prioritised border security, tax cuts, deregulation, and America First foreign policy

• He promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act and reduce US international commitments

Achievements

• Trump passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017), significantly reducing corporate and income taxes

• He secured funding for parts of the US-Mexico border wall, including through a national emergency declaration (2019)

• Trump reshaped the judiciary, appointing three Supreme Court justices

Failures

• Repeal of the Affordable Care Act failed despite Republican control of Congress

• His handling of COVID-19 (2020) was widely criticised, damaging public confidence

• Trade wars created economic uncertainty

Overall

• Trump delivered on key ideological aims but failed to achieve many headline pledges and deeply polarised US politics

Joe Biden (2021–2025)

Campaign aims

• Biden’s 2020 campaign focused on COVID-19 recovery, economic rebuilding, climate action, and restoring political norms

• He pledged large-scale infrastructure investment and social reform

Achievements

• The American Rescue Plan (2021) provided major pandemic relief and economic support

• The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) delivered long-term funding for transport and green energy

• Biden re-joined the Paris Climate Agreement and strengthened NATO alliances

Failures

• The Build Back Better agenda stalled due to opposition within his own party

• High inflation and cost-of-living pressures reduced public support

• The chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal (2021) damaged credibility

Overall

• Biden achieved key economic aims but was constrained by narrow congressional margins and public opinion