As U.S. presidents come and go, there have always been different views of their success and/or greatness, and it will be no different for President Bush or President Obama.

Aside from actual events, issues and presidential decision-making, these assessments are all too often shaped by political bias, media distortions or revisionist historians.

Unfortunately, the composite result of such assessments over time usually forms a public as well as historic perception of a president's legacy.

The historic legacy of Bush should be notable for several reasons: He kept the country safe from terrorist attacks for seven years following 9/11; he deposed one of the most brutal dictators the world has ever seen (Saddam Hussein); he established a foothold for democracy in the Middle East and gave 50 million people their first taste of real freedom.

He waged an aggressive offensive against the Al Queda terrorist network by killing/capturing most of its known leaders and severely disrupting their worldwide funding sources; he revived a sagging economy and reduced the tax burden on all Americans with across-the-board tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.

He restored judicial balance to the Supreme Court with the appointment of Justices Roberts and Alito; he provided prescription drug coverage for millions of senior citizens through Medicare Part D; he became the world leader in providing billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Africa in the fight against AIDS/HIV; and last, but not least, Bush restored honor and dignity to the Oval Office following political and moral corruption by his predecessor (Bill Clinton).

These accomplishments may not place him on Mount Rushmore, but I am convinced his legacy (like those of Truman and Reagan) will be viewed much more positively through the prism of history.

David H. Edmunds

Charlottesville, Va.