In 1966, George W. Bush (Josh Brolin) gets hazed as a Delta Kappa Epsilon pledge at Yale University. Shortly after, Bush is put in jail for rowdiness, and his father, George H. Bush (James Cromwell), states that he will only help his son this last time. After graduating, Bush goes to work at an oil field back in Texas, but he quits that job quickly. Then Bush is accepted into Harvard Business School with a little help from his dad.
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In 1977, Bush announces he will run for the Texas Congress. At a barbecue party, Bush meets Laura (Elizabeth Banks), his future wife. In the congressional debate, Bush does poorly and loses the elections.
In 1986, Bush turns born-again Christian, stops drinking, and improves his relationship with his dad. The elder Bush asks him to help with his presidential campaign for the 1988 elections. Bush's political advisor tells him that he could also run for public office himself, but has not made a name for himself yet. Instead Bush becomes an executive of a baseball team, while his dad fights and wins the first Gulf War.
In 1994, Bush runs for Governor of Texas in spite of his father's disapproval. And in 1999, he becomes President. In 2001 he manages to handle the crisis around the September 11 attacks well. And in 2002, Bush starts to look for evidence that Saddam is making nuclear weapons, readying the army. His White House staff supports him except for Secretary of State Colin Powell, who states that planning to invade Iraq would destabilize the country. However Powell is overruled by Vice President Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss) and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (Scott Glenn), who insist that a war against Iraq, deposing Saddam, will make the U.S. the sole global superpower and spread democracy in the Gulf region. In March 2003, the U.S. invades Iraq and at first appears to be successful. However, is changes soon when it turns out there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and Bush finds out that the information about these weapons came from questionable sources of lower ranking officers. At a White House press conference Bush is asked what mistakes he has made as President, the question embarrasses him. The night after, Bush has a nightmare, where his father criticizes him for destroying the family's name.
Best part of story, including ending:
It's an account of what happened in W.'s - mostly political - life.
Best scene in story:
Where Bush and his party are jogging and he gets them lost.
Opinion about the main character:
His political views and outlook on life.
