George W. Bush: Promises, Promises

From CBS News:

It was three years ago tonight that Pres. Bush accepted his party's nomination for a second term. He did so in a speech rife with promises.

More than any other address he has given since, including his Inaugural nearly 5 months later, that speech to the 2004 Republican National Convention laid out his plans for his second term.

But three years after the fact, an examination of that speech shows that Pres. Bush has been unable to deliver on most of his pledges. That’s not to say he didn’t try. But he didn’t prove to be a closer.

On the budget:

As for federal spending, the size of the annual federal deficit has been coming down since reaching a high of $413-Billion in 2004. The Administration forecasts a deficit this year of $205-Billion. The forecast from the Congressional Budget Office is lower still at $158-Billion.

But the size of the National Debt has soared. It now stands at $8.9-Trillion dollars - numerically in excess of the debt ceiling authorized by law. On the day Mr. Bush took office, it was $5.7-Trillion. That’s a 57% increase on Mr. Bush’s watch. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is already calling on Congress to hike the debt ceiling as soon as possible for the fifth time in six years.

On terror:

Mr. Bush asserts the U.S. is winning the war on terror, but it’s an open-ended commitment with no end in sight.

“No Child Left Behind Act”:

His efforts to win reauthorization of his “No Child Left Behind Act” have also yet to be realized and congressional opposition to the program is substantial.

Immigration:
He didn't mention it 3 years ago. Why not? Nonetheless, he failed spectacularly on this issue.

Social Security:

Before the year was out, he had given up on his plan.