One of the nation's most distinguished modern presidential scholars said Thursday President George W. Bush is very democratic in his social reforms and at the same time is the most polarizing president in history.

In his speech on the University of Wisconsin campus, Texas A&M University political science professor and UW alumnus George Edwards said conservatives traditionally argue for local control of the education system, but he praised Bush for supporting federal aid for education, as evidenced by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Edwards also said he agrees with Bush's support of retirees, adding a new prescription drug entitlement program.

"I would argue that Bush is a revolutionary," Edwards said. "He has broken with incremental, prudent, moderate approaches that characterized both his father and Bill Clinton."

Citing a surplus in the economy, Edwards said tax cuts Bush implemented allow citizens to have more discretion to spend and choose options within the Medicare system.

"So in that way, there is more freedom, more options. People have more responsibility for themselves," Edwards said. "In many ways, [Bush] wants to rewrite the social contract that has defined the last four generations of America. This is a big deal."

Edwards said Bush has not been afraid to use religiosity to gain support from the Republican Party, either by limiting stem-cell research or supporting faith-based schools.

"Democrats hate him with unprecedented intensity, and what is interesting is that Republicans love him with the same intensity," Edwards said. "He has the greatest loyalty that any president has ever had among Republicans."

Edwards offered his personal opinion of the president, calling him intelligent and more than a "puppet to Dick Cheney."

However, in addressing the president's decision-making in terms of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Edwards was critical.

"This is not a matter of conservative or liberal view. I think it's irrelevant what his ideology is, but it is a failure in decision-making," Edwards said. "It's been a sloppy process."

UW junior Jesse Allhands said Edwards was objective in his analysis of the president but didn't necessarily agree with his views.

"I was surprised at how objective his presentation was. I really appreciated that," Allhands said. "He regarded President Bush as a relatively intelligent guy, but that didn't reflect in his actions in my mind."

UW freshman Chris Herrera found Edwards' speech reaffirming as well as enlightening.

"Of course, I was not shocked when Edwards criticized Bush's decision-making with regard to foreign policy," Herrera said. "But I was surprised to find out how left-leaning his education and health-care reform has been."