As I've told you before, I vote Republican at times in local and state elections. I have even voted for a GOP house candidate. But in general, I strongly prefer Dems for national offices.
I agree that 9/11 was significant. I actually give Bush some slack on many things because of 9/11. But I don't give him, or Congress, a pass for not paying for his wars, and his prescription drug program. The economy rebounded from 9/11. There was no reason to run up the credit card and not pay the bill.