Goal: Universal broadband access
Target: Still in progress 2007 Promised in: March 2004 Progress: When the president stated this goal, about 24 percent of American households had broadband. By September 2007, nearly half the country did. The administration argues that well more than 90 percent of Americans have access to broadband, even if they haven't signed up for it. But service in low-income and rural areas is scarce. In 2006, the U.S. ranked 16th in broadband access, and it may have fallen lower since then.
Goal: Cut the federal budget's deficit by half (from 2004)
Target: Maybe someday 2009 Promised in: January 2004 Progress: Bush made this vow when the 2004 deficit was projected to be $521 billion. The 2004 deficit actually came in at just $413 billion, or 3.5 percent of gross domestic product. The deficit fell to $163 billion by 2007, more than fulfilling Bush's goal--but since then it has risen again. The deficit is projected to be $410 billion this year, 2.9 percent of GDP. After the first six months of the fiscal year, it already stood at $311 billion.
Goal: Foster a Mideast peace settlement
Target: Maybe someday January 2009 Promised in: January 2008 Progress: Negotiations continue.
Goal: Free-trade agreements with "Latin nations"
Updated goal: Free-trade agreement with Peru Target: Still in progress 2009 Promised in: August 2000 Promised in: May 2007 (Updated goal)
Progress: The administration signed free-trade agreements with Chile in 2003, with Central American countries in 2005, and with Peru, Colombia, and Panama in 2007. The two earlier ones have gone into effect. Congress has ratified the agreement with Peru, but the pact has not yet gone into effect. The Colombia agreement has stalled in Congress, and no action has been taken on the Panama agreement.
Goal: Add 5.5 million more minority homeowners
Target: Maybe someday 2010 Promised in: June 2002 Progress: In 2001, the Census reported 13.3 million minority homeowners (representing an increase of 4.4 million in the 1990s). The number grew through 2006 but began to decline the following year for all minority groups except Hispanics, as the foreclosure crisis kicked in. In the first quarter of 2008, there were 16.3 million minority homeowners, which puts the country off pace to reach Bush's goal. The Housing and Urban Development Department argues that the administration is still on course to meet its goal if the gross number of new minority homeowners is considered--not taking into account those who have fallen out of homeownership because of death, foreclosure, or some other factor. So the country may have 5.5 million new minority homeowners by 2010 but not 5.5 million more minority homeowners.
Goal: All students proficient in reading and math
Target: Maybe someday 2014 Promised in: 2001 Progress: Some. (For details, see "A Galaxy of Goals," the cover story in this issue.)
This article appeared in the Saturday, July 19, 2008 edition of National Journal.
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