After eight controversial years and two terms, George 'Dubya' Bush was forced to step down, paving way for Barack Obama. Many cite Bush's role in the "war on terror" as having a detrimental effect on the global economy, and the UK soon sunk into recession.

Bush was one of the most controversial, and publicly despised, presidents in US history prone to notorious gaffes and slip ups, which overshadow the more respected aspects of his terms in office. In the aftermath of September 11 Bush had the highest approval rating of any president in American history.