The results of the economic state of the US, not to mention the political messes it was mired in at the time Bush left, show that the first 6 years meant fuck all.
It's like pushing someone out of a plane and telling them the parachute will open, and the whole way down they think woooh, this is great, best rush of my life!! They reach the point where they realize the parachute isnt opening, there is no parachute... SPLAT! Yah the first 80% sure was amazing, until the truth fucking hits.
Paint it any way you want, but when all is said and done, and you sit and do the final tally, don't matter how great you start if the end count is negative.