If Bush were President during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

A couple of very thoughtful answers already addressed how the crisis was handled.

In contrast with the approach actually taken, consider these methods of the Bush Administration:

- Bluster, confrontation and challenge .... Bush takes to the streets with his attitudes. This has been the case since 9/11, and is largely intended for home consumption. Part of Bush's method is to combine fear-mongering with apparent firmness, playing to the American jingoes as well as the terrified housewives. In 1962, a very substantial segment of the U.S. population ws absolutely terrified of the USSR, and convinced the nation was riddled with spies. Had Bush been president then, he would have taken a far more open hostile and demanding stance against Khruschev, creating public conditions that would have made impossible many of the terms of the real resolution that took place.

- Incompetent military direction .... Bush and his original Cabinet dictated military strategy and tactics over the objections of Gen. Tommy Franks and other senior officers. Bungled strategic decisions allowed the huge Iraqi Army and its paramilitary auxiliaries to literally melt away, fueling a guerrilla war since the conquest. This record suggests that Bush's management of naval and air forces during the Cuban missile crisis could well have created circumstances that would have triggered war.

- Personal cowardice ... Bush is no heroic leader, regardless of his bluster and stubbornness. His disappearance entirely during the horrid hours of 9/11 when a frightened and bleeding nation needed a leader show that contronted with serious threat, Bush freezes. In the face of Khruschev in 1962, Bush might well have crumbled.

Considering that awful era of brinksmanship, the world is fortunate that Geroge W. Bush was a mediocre high school student without any influence at all. The world today is unfortunate that he grew up.

Scary,

I've seen some strange answers from some of you. Its obvious that you were born after the Cold War.

MORE THAN HALF THE WORLD WAS LIVING IN TOTALITARIANISM. There was no internet or free exchange of ideas, like today in most of the world. Russia (then, the Soviet Union) and the United States of America were prepared to LAUNCH ON WARNING of a nuclear attack.

Both the Soviet Union and the USA were playing the same sort of game, all over the world. We, and they considered it a matter of survival. Part of this strategy was insuring a supply of oil.

It is hard to imagine these things today, with Russia, China, and the USA economies interdependant. I am not saying it was right or correct for either side to do so. However, it is important to understand that both sides felt their survival depended upon it.

I recommend the movie, "Seven Days in May", which is about the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Resolving it took great care and finese. Something that George W. Bush does not have.

the fast answer is, there would not have been one. Kennedy screwed up royally regarding Castro and the effect of no longer following by with Eisenhower's plan in action, the Cuban human beings have been enslaved and their despot allowed his u . s . for use for Soviet missiles in replace for oil. President GW Bush would not have replaced plans on the final 2nd.

It was the Russians that backed down. Kennedy was ready to push the button. Kennedy was on a lot of pain killers and anti-depressants and was cheating on his wife. How well would that be received by the rabid tabloid media now a days. The outcome would have been the same but most likely Bush would have missed the whole thing he would have been on vacation at the ranch clearing brush and Cheney would have stood up to the Russians

The world would have very few occupants. Most would have died from cancer caused by radioactivity. Radioactivity caused infertility would have kept it from being properly repopulated. It would take about 10,000 years for his destruction to wear off.

Give him time, he is still trying to find a way to invade Iran.

He would have formed another axis of evil with Jamaica, Cuba, and Russia, then attacked Jamaica. So we would be about the same as today, but Castro would now have nuclear weapons.

Yes we'd be digging ourselves out of the radio active ashes for the next 5000 years if trigger happy Bush had been President during that time! He itching for a battle with the Iranians...we aren't out of the water yet--until he is OUT of office. Prey....and Vote!!

I'm sorry. I can't answer this question. This scenario is so totally frightening, my brain just stopped working.

The remains of our planet would be scattered on Mars and Venus.

Funny. Seems to me that Iran has commited many acts of War and he hasn't "Pulled the trigger"

As far as last weeks little incident. He showed alot of restraint. Seems to me like most Americans have forgotten what a small boat can do to a US Naval ship if not acted upon in time. (U.S.S. COLE)