GH Bush had little say in the Reagan Whitehouse and never was really that ideologically in tune with Reagan. It was GW Bush who coined the term "Voodoo Economics" to describe Supply Side. While the S&L Bailout was 1/6 the size of TARP you have to consider the size of the economy then and also that that size of bailout had been unprecedented. Obama certainly has a mess on his hand but its not unique in having to clean up a mess left over from previous Admins.. In fact our last three Presidents have come in at times of economic turmoil. Anyway pointing out that GH Bush was faced with a similar situation that Obama is isn't a criticism of Obama or his handling of the current situation. History is showing that GH Bush was a better president that people gave him credit for during the time.