BUSH, George W(alker) (1946- ), 43d president of the U.S. (2001- ). The eldest son of George H. W. Bush, 41st president of the U.S. (1989-93), he is the first son of a former president to win the White House since John Quincy Adams in 1824. Early Career. Born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Conn., he spent most of his childhood first in Midland and then in Houston, Tex. He earned his undergraduate degree from …showed first 75 words of 1854 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1854 total…campaign funds at a record rate, and assured Vice President Cheney that he was welcome to remain on the ticket for a second term. As of late 2003, although the country appeared sharply split on most aspects of Bush's performance, robust economic growth, a rising stock market, strong support for Bush among Republicans (with no challenge for the nomination) and sharp divisions among the president's Democratic opponents fueled optimism among Bush's advisers about his reelection prospects.