while I am not a fan of Georege Bush (for many reasons) it is worthy of note that while historically we rely upon the economy as the #1 issue in electing the president, presidents are not judged historically based upon the economy (with the possible exception of Hoover). Bush will be judged (and I mean after many years have passed) for how history judges Iraq etc.

Interesting note, two of out most revered presidents committed two most egregious violations of the law and created the most serious constitutional conflicts. Jackson ordered the Indians in Fla marched to Okla after the Indians went to court and the SC ruled in there favor. Jackson, said the court made their ruling, now enforce it. Lincoln ordered the entire legislature of Maryland incarcerated to prevent a vote that (at the time) the federal govt had no authority to prevent or ignore. It was a vote on whether to withdraw from the union.

Personally Lincoln is my favorite president, but it still amazes me that historians don't even blink as such an extreme violation of the law. UNtil recently, Truman had the all time low numbers, and as time passes he has improvedin the eyes of historians. Kennedy is likely to continue falling especially as his generation dies off, Carter may accomplish what few before have done,and that is cause his presidency to be viewed better for what he did after leaving office (ie John Q Adams and Taft).