Republicans have succeeded in whitewashing Ronald Reagan’s record of failure, but will have a tough time convincing Americans that George W. Bush deserves credit for progress made in the Middle East (“George W. Obama,” Editorial, Aug. 23).

Stop pretending that Bush’s immoral, expensive wars were anything but a disaster. Start recognizing that President Obama has made the best of Bush’s messes. Obama’s clear thinking brought about Osama bin Laden’s capture, and his rational approach that enabled the end of the Khadafy regime.

Kevin Koerper, Manhattan