Yes, but you can't have it both ways. If Clinton gained from GHWB, then so to did GWB gain from Clinton.
What I blame Bush for is the war in Iraq and I don't think that was Clinton's fault at all. I think it rests wholly with the current administration. I think what GHWB did in Iraq was the correct thing to do, but I think his son got it wrong. And perhaps Clinton should have leaned on Saddam a little harder, but hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it?
The economy, that's a lot harder, because, as you say, things carry over and it's hard to know who did things right and who didn't.
I think that GHWB was actually a decent president. I can't say that about GWB and I do lay most of his failings at his own doorstep, not at Clinton's. By which I don't in the least mean to imply that Clinton didn't make his share of mistakes.
Elizabeth