Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America

Overview
"Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America" (2003) by Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose is a trenchant, often humorous critique of the early years of the George W. Bush presidency. Written amid the post-9/11 political climate and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the book surveys policy, personality, and power, arguing that a combination of ideology, partisan tactics, and elite interests reshaped American governance. The tone is populist and satirical, aimed at readers who want lively denunciation as well as concrete examples.

Key topics covered
The book addresses a broad range of issues, from foreign policy and the Iraq war to domestic affairs such as the economy, environmental regulation, and judicial nominations. Ivins and Dubose read the administration's rhetoric, phrases like "compassionate conservatism", against its policy choices, asserting that tax cuts, deregulation, and corporate-friendly decisions disproportionately favored the wealthy and private interests. Environmental rollbacks and weakened regulatory enforcement receive particular attention, portrayed as part of a deliberate reshaping of public priorities.

Foreign policy and national security
A central chapter examines the rush to war in Iraq and the administration's framing of national security after 9/11. The authors are skeptical of the justifications offered for military action and critique the quality of the intelligence and public persuasion that led to war. They also explore how security concerns were used to consolidate political power and to marginalize dissent, warning about the domestic costs of a foreign-policy posture built on fear and assertiveness.

Economy, democracy, and corporate influence
Ivins and Dubose argue that the Bush presidency accelerated a partnership between government and corporate actors that eroded democratic accountability. Tax policies, budget priorities, and regulatory appointments are depicted as part of a coherent project to shift resources upward and privatize public functions. The book connects economic decisions to broader questions about civic life, arguing that the ideological bent of the administration transformed everyday institutions, from schools to social programs, often to the detriment of ordinary citizens.

Voice and rhetorical approach
Molly Ivins's trademark humor and scathing wit dominate the narrative voice, even when Lou Dubose supplies additional reporting and analysis. Sharp one-liners, Texas-flavored anecdotes, and pointed metaphors are used to puncture official spin and to make complex policy critiques accessible. The writing blends reportage, opinion, and satire, relying on data, historical comparisons, and memorable imagery to buttress its arguments.

Evidence and critique
The book combines on-the-ground reporting, public records, and journalistic synthesis to build its case. Rather than offering detached policy wonkery, the authors favor examples that illustrate broader trends: agency appointments, legislative maneuvers, and media narratives that shaped public understanding. The critique is unapologetically partisan in tone but grounded in documented developments that readers can verify through the record of the early 2000s.

Reception and legacy
"Bushwhacked" resonated with readers who opposed the Bush administration and appreciated an entertaining, accessible critique. Critics who supported the administration dismissed it as polemical, but even some neutral observers noted Ivins's skill at turning political outrage into compelling prose. Over time, the book has been read as a lively artifact of early-21st-century political commentary, useful for understanding how partisan arguments were mobilized during a formative moment in recent American history.