THE BEST THE UR CAN BE IS A PALE IMITATION (via The Wife)

Countries that will miss George Bush (Kim Ghattas, 1/12/09, BBC News)

Africa as a continent stands out as the main region in the world where Bush is most likely to be missed and where widespread support for the 62-year-old Texan mystified his critics.

When he visited the continent in February, he was greeted everywhere by excited, happy crowds.

Pew foundation polls suggested that he had approval ratings of up to 80%, even in countries with a dominantly Muslim population.

In Darfur, many people reportedly name their newborn children George Bush.

"While Bush's critics have given him little credit for his African initiatives, they will be among his most enduring legacies in a region of the world neglected by policymakers from both parties for too long," wrote Andrew Natsios, a fellow at the Hudson Institute, in an article in the Boston Globe last year.

It helps that America is not fighting any wars in Africa, as it is in the Middle East or Central Asia.

So in Africa, Bush would be remembered for "playing a central role as peacemaker in ending a 20-year civil war between the Arab north and African south," wrote Mr Natsios.

"It was the Bush administration that first raised the alarm about the atrocities in Darfur, organised a massive humanitarian relief effort to save people in the displaced camps, and rallied an international coalition to send peacekeeping troops to restore order through the United Nations and the African Union," he added.

When Mr Bush arrived in Tanzania in February, President Jakaya Kikwete poured praise on him.

"Different people may have different views about you and your administration and your legacy," he said.

"But we in Tanzania, if we are to speak for ourselves and for Africa, we know for sure that you, Mr President, and your administration have been good friends of our country and have been good friends of Africa."