在海湾危机爆发之前,布什已安然地进入他作为总统的第二个夏天。然而,令人陶醉的生活却因海湾危机的爆发而突然中止。没有什么比世界性危机更能考验一位总统了,而布什所面对的危机更具挑战性,因为,在伊拉克的坦克隆隆开进科威特之时,其它几个棘手的问题也在等待着他:因违背不增税的誓言而受到谴责;儿子尼尔任董事的公司破产;同国会减少赤字的谈判失败,支持率急剧下降;海湾危机使油价暴涨而道琼斯股价猛跌。在上述情况下,华盛顿周围开始出现要求采取强硬行动的调门。 Prior to the Gulf crisis, Bush safely entered his second summer as president. However, the intoxicating life suddenly ceased due to the outbreak of the Gulf crisis. Nothing can test a president more than a worldwide crisis, and the crisis facing Bush is even more challenging as the other Iraqi arsenals are waiting for him as the Iraqi tank rushes into Kuwait : Condemned for violating the vow not to increase taxes; the bankruptcy of the company where his son Neil serves as a director; the failure to negotiate with Congress to reduce the deficit, the sharp decline in support; the Gulf crisis plunged while the Gulf crisis plummeted. In these circumstances, there has been a resurgence of calls for tougher action around Washington.