He was a poor student who somehow got into the finest schools. He was a National Guardsman who somehow missed a year of service. He was a failed businessman who somehow was made rich. He was a minority investor who somehow was made managing partner of the Texas Rangers. He was a defeated politician who somehow was made governor. You can hardly blame him for expecting to inherit the White House.

"Is Our Children Learning?" examines the public life and public record of George W. Bush and reveals him for who he is: a man who presents the thinnest, weakest, least impressive record in public life of any major party nominee this century; a man who at every critical juncture has been propelled upward by the forces of wealth, privilege, status, and special interests who use his family's name for their private gain.

A Texan, political analyst, strategist, and partisan, Paul Begala has written a devastating assessment of the Bush brand of politics.

"Is Our Children Learning?" examines the public life and public record of George W. Bush and reveals him for who he is: a man who presents the thinnest, weakest, least impressive record in public life of any major party nominee this century; a man who at every critical juncture has been propelled upward by the forces of wealth, privilege, status, and special interests who use his family's name for their private gain.

A Texan, political analyst, strategist, and partisan, Paul Begala has written a devastating assessment of the Bush brand of politics.

Introduction

1. Governor Bush: My Substitute Teacher

2. Where's George? How Bush Disappeared from the National Guard for a Year

3. El Busto: Bush as a Bidnessman

4. Bush's Emphasis on Education: Public Policy, or a Desperate Cry for Help?

5. "It's Still the Economy...and Bush Is Stupid!"

6. Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!

7. To Die For: Bush and the Environment

8. Social Insecurity

9. Why Help Working Families When You Can Suck Up to Wealthy Families?

10. Is There an HMO Bureaucrat in the House?

11. The Grim Reaper Wore a Smirk: Bush and the Death Penalty

12. Bush and Race: "Porch Monkeys," Bob Jones, and the Confederate Flag

13. Dan Quayle Without the Experience: Bush and Foreign Policy

14. Is Bush Really Dumb? Or, "Let's Get Ready to STUMBLE!"

15. Cheney Mania! Poppy's Pick

Sources