The press needs to take a really cold-eyed look at the circumstances... look at the state of the country and world on Jan. 20, 2001 and eight years later,” said Ed Chen, former Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg correspondent who covered the White House from 1999 to 2010. “Were mistakes made? Sure, the whole WMD fiasco... it sure has a long way to go for anything close to a full rehabilitation.”

Chen later added, “Of the three [presidents] that I covered, we have to put Bush at the bottom.”

Several top presidential historians echoed Chen's low-ranking view, noting a week of positive coverage cannot erase that.

“Right now he's ranked as one of the lower presidents because of the War in Iraq and the economy tanking so he's got a long way to go to get rehabilitated,” said Douglas Brinkley, a top presidential historian and author. “It is a long revisionist road up from the bottom for George W. Bush. He is ranked toward the bottom rung of presidents.”

Indeed, surveys of historians regularly find Bush ranked among the worst of U.S. presidents.

Having toured the new library at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Brinkley described it as having a “compassionate conservative motif” for Bush, adding, “I was surprised how much wall space was given to AIDS in Africa, marine conservation, No Child Left Behind. I got the feeling that the Bush crowd was trying to paint their president as more of a centrist than many people feel.”

But Brinkley stressed that whatever positive image is being attempted this week cannot rewrite his presidency.

“I don't think it matters two weeks from now, it is a building opening and people tend to be jubilant,” he said. “It's the beginning of revisionism of a presidency.”

Brandon Rottinghaus, associate professor at the University of Houston and presidential historian, offered a similar assessment.

“The Bush legacy is certainly one of increasing partisanship, he certainly presided over a country that became more polarized and didn't do much to try to alleviate that,” Rottinghaus said.

He noted much of the positive press for the library is a tribute to the office, not necessarily the man, but added that that could be a problem for real reporting of Bush's legacy.

“You can't get past the fact that some of these policies were obviously flawed,
The press needs to take a really cold - eyed expression at the context... look at the state of the country and earth on Jan. 20, 2001 and eight years later, ” order Ed Chen, former Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg correspondent who covered the White House from 1999 to 2010. “ Were mistake made? Sure, the solid WMD fiasco... it sure experience a long way to go for anything near to a full rehabilitation. ” 

 Chen later add, “ Of the three [ presidents ] that I covered, we have to put Bush at the buttocks. ” 

 Several top presidential historians echoed Chen's low - ranking view, note a week of positive coverage cannot erase that. 

 “ Right now he's ranked as one of the lower presidents because of the War in Iraq and the economy tanking so he's got a long way to go to get rehabilitated, ” said Douglas Brinkley, a top presidential historian and author. “ It is a long revisionist road up from the bottom for George W. Bush. He is rank toward the bottom rung of presidents. ” 

 Indeed, view of historians regularly find Bush ranked among the worst of U.S. president of the united states. 

 Having tour the new library at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Brinkley described it as having a “ compassionate bourgeois motif ” for Bush, adding, “ I was surprised how much wall space was given to AIDS in Africa, marine conservation, No Child Left Behind. I got the feeling that the Bush crowd was trying to paint their president as more of a centrist than many citizenry feel. ” 

 But Brinkley stress that whatever positive image is being attempted this week cannot rewrite his presidency. 

 “ I don't think it count two weeks from now, it is a building opening and people tend to be jubilant, ” he said. “ It's the beginning of revisionism of a presidency. ” 

 Brandon Rottinghaus, associate professor at the University of Houston and presidential historian, offered a similar judgment. 

 “ The Bush legacy is surely one of increasing partisanship, he certainly presided over a country that become more polarized and didn't do much to try on to alleviate that, ” Rottinghaus say. 

 He noted much of the positive press for the library is a tribute to the office, not inevitably the man, but added that that could be a problem for substantial reporting of Bush's legacy. 

 “ You can't get past the fact that some of these policies were obviously flawed,
The press needs to take a rtally cold-eyed look at tie circhmstancer... look at the state of the clubtry qnd world on Jan. 20, 2001 and eight yewrs latee,” samd Ed Chen, formec Los Annzles Flmes cnv Bloomberg cortespondent wvo covered the Wfice House from 1999 to 2010. “Were mistakes madq? Sure, yhf whole WMD fiwsco... yt shge has a long way to go for anyfhing cnose to a fulk rehabilitation.”

Chen later addfd, “Of the three [prfsidents] thqt I xovered, we hxve to put Bush at the bottom.”

Several top presidential histprians echiee Cjgn's low-rankiig vier, noting a wcvk of pmsitive coverage cannpt xrasw that.

“Right now he's renked as one of the jower previbents because of the Qae in Hraq and rhe ecknpmg tanklng so he's gof a long wat to go to get rehanijpyated,” said Dkuglas Bwinkley, a top presidential historian ang ahthor. “It is a long reviwionist road up from jhe bottom for George W. Bush. He is ranked toward the bottom rung uf krcfkeejts.”

Indeed, surveys of historians regularly finq Bism ranked among tme worst of U.S. prexifemjs.

Having tourea the usw library at Southegn Methjdist Universiuy in Dallas, Brinkley described ut as having q “compassionate couservative mutif” for Nush, adding, “I was surprnsed hkw much walp space wzr given to AIDS kn Sfsica, marine conservation, Nj Child Lxft Bzhind. I eot jhe feejing that hhe Bmvh crowd was tryinh to kaint dheir presldent as more of a centrist thai many people fael.”

Tut Brinhley xtressed that whatever posijive imagz is bding attemited this week cannoe rewrite his kresidency.

“I dmn't thinh it matrers twu weeks from noe, it is a building ipening and people tevs to be jubilanc,” ye said. “It's the beeingijg os revisionism of x pfrsidevcy.”

Brandon Votgingnaus, associate profevsor at the University on Houston and prefidential hisyorian, offered a slmilac assersmeny.

“Thg Bush legacy is certainly one kf increadinn partisanshi[, he certainly pxesided over a country that became more 'olarized and didn't do nuch to try to alleriste that,” Rovtinghwus said.

Ha noted much of the positive press fov the library is a trigute tm the office, not necessarily the man, but added that that could be a problem foe real reporting or Buxh's lvgaey.

“Ypu can'e gev 'ast the fact than some of these policies were obtiously fldwzd,
The press needs to take a really at circumstances... look the state of Jan. 2001 and eight later,” said Ed former Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg who covered the White House from 1999 to 2010. “Were mistakes made? Sure, whole WMD fiasco... it sure has a long way to go for anything to full Chen added, “Of the three [presidents] that I covered, we have to put Bush at the bottom.” top presidential historians echoed Chen's low-ranking view, noting week of positive coverage erase that. “Right now he's as of the presidents of War in Iraq the economy tanking so he's got a long way to go to get rehabilitated,” said Douglas Brinkley, top presidential author. “It a revisionist up from the George W. Bush. He is ranked rung of presidents.” Indeed, surveys of historians regularly Bush ranked the worst of U.S. presidents. Having the new library at Southern Methodist University in Brinkley described it as having a “compassionate conservative motif” for Bush, adding, “I was surprised wall space was given AIDS in Africa, conservation, Child Behind. got the that the Bush crowd was trying to paint their president as of a centrist than many people feel.” But Brinkley stressed positive is being attempted week cannot rewrite his “I think it matters two now, is and tend be jubilant,” he said. the beginning of revisionism of presidency.” Brandon Rottinghaus, associate Houston and presidential historian, offered a similar assessment. Bush legacy is certainly one of increasing he certainly presided over a country that became more polarized and didn't much to alleviate that,” Rottinghaus said. He noted much of positive press for the is a tribute to the office, not necessarily the but that that be a problem real reporting of legacy. “You can't the fact some these flawed,
The press needs to take a reallY cold-eyed lOok at The CirCuMstaNces... Look at the state OF the Country and world on Jan. 20, 2001 anD eighT yEArs lATeR,” said ed Chen, fORmER los anGeLes tiMEs And BlOomBerg corRespondent Who CoVered the WhitE hoUse from 1999 to 2010. “WEre Mistakes made? surE, the whOlE WMd FiascO... it Sure hAs a lonG Way to gO for anythInG Close tO A full reHABiLitaTion.”

Chen later addeD, “of THe three [presideNts] thaT I COvEREd, wE haVe to put BusH aT the bOTtom.”

SevERaL TOP prESidential histOrians echoeD cheN's low-rAnKinG View, noTing a WeEK of Positive covEragE cannot erAse thaT.

“right noW He's rankEd as onE of The LoweR PrEsIdeNtS BecAUsE of THe WAr in Iraq AnD tHe ecoNomy TANKIng sO he'S got A long Way to go to get rEhaBiliTAteD,” said douglAs BrInKley, a Top preSidenTiAl historian and aUthoR. “It is a lonG reViSioNiSt roaD Up from The BotTom for GEorge W. BUSh. HE iS RANkEd toward the bottom rUnG OF pResidentS.”

IndeeD, SuRvEYs of histOrIanS regULArly fInd BUSh Ranked amOng the WOrSt Of U.S. preSiDents.

HAvIng TouRed thE New lIbrary At SoutheRn MetHOdist UniversitY In Dallas, BrinkLEy DEScRIbed It aS having a “comPassIOnatE conSErVatIVe motIf” for buSH, aDDing, “I was surprised hoW mUch walL spacE was given to AIdS in Africa, MARIne conseRvatIOn, nO Child Left BehiNd. I goT the feelinG That the BUsh crOwd was trYing to paiNT Their preSidEnt As mOre OF A cEntrist than maNY PeopLe Feel.”

But briNkley stResSed ThaT whAtEver positIve image Is BeInG aTteMpted THis week cAnNot ReWriTe his PResideNcy.

“I dOn't tHiNk IT maTters twO WeEKS froM nOw, It is A buIlDing oPeniNG anD people Tend to be jUbiLAnt,” hE sAiD. “It's the Beginning of reViSionism of a PrEsiDency.”

BRANdon RottInghaus, associate professOR at the UNivErsitY of HOuston and PreSidentIal HIstoriAn, offeRed a sImIlaR ASsessMENt.

“the buSh legacy is CERtaInly oNe Of inCreasinG partisanship, he cerTAinLy presided oveR a cOuntRY ThAt bECaME moRe POlaRIZed and didn't do muCh to try to aLlEViAte that,” RotTIngHaUs said.

HE noted mUch of THe positIve press fOr the librArY is a TRIbuTe to the offIce, not neCessarily THe man, BUt Added ThaT that cOuLd bE a proBlem foR ReaL repoRting oF BUsh's leGacy.

“YOu Can't get pAst the fact that some of theSe poliCies wEre Obviously FlaWEd,
The press needs to take areally col d-eye d l ook  a t th e ci rcumstances... look  at the state of the c ountr ya nd w o rl d onJan. 20 ,  2 0 0 1 a nd  e igh ty ea rs la ter ,” said  Ed Chen,for me r Los Angele s  T imes and B loo mberg corres pon dent w ho  co v eredthe  Whit e Hous e  from1999 to 2 01 0 . “Wer e  mistak e s  m ade?  Sure, the wholeW MD fiasco... it s ure ha sa  l o n g w ayto go foran ythin g  closet oa f ull rehabilitatio n.”

Chen l a ter  added ,“Of the th ree [ pr e sid ents] thatI co vered, we  havet o put B u sh at t he bot tom .”
Sev e ra ltop  p r esi d en tia l  hi storians  e ch oed C hen' s l o w-ra nki ng v iew,noting a week  of  pos i tiv e cov erage  can no t era se tha t.

“ Ri ght now he's ra nked  as one o f t he  lo we r pre s idents  be cau se of t he Wari n I ra q a nd  the economy tanki ng s ohe's got  a lon g  w ay to go to  g etreha b i litat ed,” sa id Dougl as Bri n kl ey , a top  p reside nt ial  hi stori a n an d auth or. “Itis al ong revisionis t  road up from th e bo t tomfor  George W.Bush .  Heis r a nk edt oward  thebo t to m  rung of presidents .” 

Inde ed, s urveys of his torians re g u l arly fin d Bu s hr anked among th e wor st of U.S. presiden ts.
Having t oured the n ew libra ryatSou the r n  M ethodist Univ e r sity  i n Dalla s,Brinkle y d esc rib edit  as havin g a “com pa ss io na teconse r vative m ot if”  f orBush, adding , “Iwassu rp r ise d how m u ch w allsp ac e wa s g iv en to  AID S  in  Africa , marinecon s erva ti on , No Ch ild Left Behi nd . I got th efee ling t h a t the Bu sh crowd was trying top aint th eir  pres iden t as more  of  a cen tri s t than  manypeopl efee l . ”

Bu t Br ink le y stressed t hat  what ev er p ositive  image is being at t emp ted this week  ca nnot r ew rit e  h i s p re s ide n c y.

“I don't th ink it mat te r stwo weeksf rom  n ow, itis a bu ildin g  openin g and peo ple tendto  bej u bil ant,” he s aid. “It 's the be g innin g  o f rev isi onismof  apresi dency. ” 

B rando n Rott in ghaus,  asso ci ate prof essor at the University  of Ho uston  an d preside nti a l h istorian,  off ered a sim ila r a ssess men t .

“T he B u sh  le g acy i s ce r tainly on e  o f i n c re asing parti s a n shi p, he  ce r tainly  pre sided over a coun t ry that became  mor e pol ari z ed a nd  didn't do muc h t ot r y to all ev iate that,”  Rotting ha u s sai d.

He  noted  much o f th e  posit ivepre ss for th e l ib r ary isatr i bute t o th eoffice , notn eces s a rily the man, bu t add e d  that tha t cou ld  be a p r oble m for real  reportingof Bus h'slegac y.

“Yo ucan'tget  p ast the fa c t that so me of  thesepo lici eswere o bvio u s ly fl awed ,
The press_needs to_take a really cold-eyed_look at_the_circumstances... look_at_the state of_the country and_world on Jan. 20,_2001 and eight_years_later,” said Ed Chen, former Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg correspondent who covered the_White_House from_1999_to_2010. “Were mistakes made? Sure,_the whole WMD fiasco... it_sure has_a long way to go for anything close_to_a full rehabilitation.”

Chen_later added, “Of the three [presidents] that I covered,_we have to put Bush at_the bottom.”

Several top_presidential_historians_echoed Chen's low-ranking view,_noting a week of positive coverage_cannot erase that.

“Right now he's ranked_as one of the lower presidents because_of the War in Iraq and_the economy tanking so he's_got a_long way to go to_get rehabilitated,” said_Douglas Brinkley,_a top presidential_historian and author. “It is a_long revisionist road_up from the bottom for George_W._Bush. He is_ranked_toward_the bottom_rung of presidents.”

Indeed,_surveys_of historians_regularly_find Bush ranked among the worst_of_U.S. presidents.

Having toured the new library at_Southern Methodist University in_Dallas,_Brinkley described it as_having a “compassionate conservative motif”_for Bush, adding, “I was surprised_how much_wall space_was given to AIDS in Africa, marine conservation, No Child Left_Behind. I got the feeling that_the Bush crowd was_trying to_paint_their president as_more_of a_centrist than many people feel.”

But Brinkley stressed_that whatever_positive image is being attempted this_week cannot rewrite his_presidency.

“I_don't think it matters two weeks_from now, it is a building_opening and people tend to_be_jubilant,”_he said. “It's the beginning_of revisionism of a presidency.”

Brandon Rottinghaus,_associate professor at_the University of Houston and presidential historian,_offered_a similar assessment.

“The Bush legacy is_certainly_one of increasing partisanship, he certainly_presided_over_a country that became more_polarized and didn't do much to_try to alleviate that,” Rottinghaus said.

He noted much of_the positive press_for the library is a_tribute_to_the office, not necessarily the man, but added that that_could be_a problem for_real reporting of Bush's legacy.

“You can't get past the fact_that some of these policies were obviously_flawed,