The lasting legacy of George H.W. Bush

Why Bush Senior was the most consequential president of the last 40 years

George H.W. Bush in 2007
(Image credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

If there's a contest for the most consequential president of the last 40 years, most people would say the winner is Ronald Reagan. He was the hero of at least two generations of Republican politicians, and even Democrats, like former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, tried to define themselves in the shadow of his legacy.

But the real victor of our imaginary contest would have to be George H.W. Bush.

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.