Dirck in RealAudio

In his first year as president, George Bush found himself on the defensive as he had to cope with the Iran-Contra scandal, the savings and loan crisis, the invasion of Panama and, as if that weren't enough, the San Francisco Bay earthquake. These events seemed to set a pattern of crisis that would plague him throughout his administration. 

Despite a patrician upbringing, President Bush became famous for mangled syntax, and sometimes plain goofy behavior. His press conferences often left reporters roaring with laughter.