Funny, I thought Bush took office in January 2001 and was in charge of defending the country. What radical departure from Clinton's policies regarding terrrorism did he take before 9/11, other than Cheney dismissing Clinton administration officials terrorist briefings and wanting to concentrate on Iraq?
The Repubs got what they wanted; president and control of Congress, lower taxes, deregulation, and a war in Iraq to spread democracy in the Middle East. How's that all worked out?