The economy is partially Bush's fault. But it is mainly the fault of the liberals who have been in control of Congress for two years now.
And our reputation comes from the fact that our media has a very liberal slant. Why else would Bush's $40 million 2004 inauguration (in a good economy, no less) be called wasteful by the liberals, when on the other side of the coin Obama's $170 million inauguration (in a recession) is called necessary for the event and the protection of the man, etc.
There is also the fact that there has not been another terrorist attack on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. I'm not saying that Bush is a great President; he could've done better. But he did a far better job than the liberal media (and the rest of the world) gives him credit for.
And due to the media, if Obama pulls us out of this economic downward spiral, then he will be praised even more than he already is as a great leader and such. If he fails, however, then the further ruin and turmoil of our economy and nation will be blamed on the Bush administration and his bad decisions.