The recession in 2000 was very mild. It was largely due to the backlash of dot com bubble. Once again, a failure of businesses largely due to deregulation. Clinton did partake in a some of conservative agendas but IMO that's the difference between pragmatism - doing what's best versus idealism - adhering to political philosophy despite its practicality. I don't think Bush was stubbornly idealistic but he was largely influenced by his inner circle like Cheney, Rove and Rumsfeld there were idealouges.