With his preternatural ebullience, fathomless lack of curiosity and disdain for empirical reality, Mr Bush compromised America's reputation as a power that stands by the rule of law – giving real succour to an enemy he helped multiply.
After offering himself to voters as a conciliatory and compassionate conservative, he deliberately polarised US politics in search of a durable new Republican majority. After preaching humility in foreign policy, he preferred unilateralism and superficial muscularity.
The attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon in 2001 would have tested the mettle of the greatest statesman. Mr Bush was not that. But he was right – and widely supported – in going into Afghanistan to deal with Osama bin Laden and his followers, a long-standing problem he has left unresolved.