However, Berke also noted that Bush's administrative style differs starkly from that of Clinton: Clinton spent over 75 hours planning the national budget while Bush only spent 5 hours developing his plan.

"It's all in the eyes of the beholder which approach is better. When Clinton came eight years ago, it was refreshing to have a president who lived and breathed policy," Berke said. "Bush trusts people to make decisions. It's a different approach to governing."

Kamarck said that Bush's success has hinged largely upon the legacy of his predecessor.

"The best thing about George W. Bush was that he was not Bill Clinton," Kamarck said.

To be successful, she said, "All he had to do was not be Bill Clinton. All the questions of legitimacy got pushed under the rug because the media was totally obsessed with the way Bill Clinton left the White House."

Panelists agreed that Bush has brought a business-like demeanor to White House operations, but they disagreed about his capacity as a leader.

"George W. Bush has brought an honor, a decency, and a dignity to the office," Gergen said.