(CNSNews.com) - Outgoing President George W. Bush’s greatest success in eight years was protecting America from any further terrorist attacks since 9/11, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told CNSNews.com on Monday.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) also credited Bush’s work in battling HIV/AIDS in Africa as a positive step.
The Iraq War, however, stands among Bush’s greatest failures, Hoyer and Cardin told CNSNews.com.
“I guess the biggest success would have to be the fact that we haven’t been attacked,” Hoyer said when asked about Bush’s two terms. “I think the president says that, and I think he is accurate. Clearly, we have not been attacked since then. It was a joint effort but nonetheless a success.”
Hoyer and Cardin spoke to CNSNews.com at a National Day of Service event at Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C.
Hoyer and Cardin also said that Bush’s greatest failure was the war in Iraq.
“The worst success was failure to come to grips with Iraq and the fiscal debacle that has been ushered in by the fiscal irresponsibility,” said Hoyer.
“I think the war in Iraq was probably the greatest disaster,” said Cardin.
In 2002, Hoyer joined with 80 Democrats and 215 Republicans in voting to authorize President Bush to use force in Iraq. Cardin, who was a member of the House at the time, voted against the resolution.
Cardin added that he thought Bush’s greatest success was providing a smooth transition for the incoming Obama administration and Bush’s work on world HIV/AIDS.
“I think they have handled the transition very well and with great dignity,” Cardin told CNSNews.com. “And I think what he did with HIV/AIDS was a very positive step.”