Perhaps, what Dubya once was... a primate! (8)
I believe the answer is:
bushbaby
I'm afraid I can't even guess how this answer relates to the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bushbaby that I've seen before include "Nocturnal African lemur (closely related to one of two US presidents?)" , "African lemur-like primate (closely related to one of two US presidents?)" , "Small, nocturnal, tree-dwelling primate of Africa with large eyes" , "Small African lemur, like shrubbery infant" , "Big-eyed, long-tailed African primate" .)