First thoughts: Bush's farewell newser

Posted: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:13 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** Bush’s farewell newser: At 9:15 am ET, President Bush will hold what will probably be the final news conference of his presidency. Per NBC’s John Yang, White House press secretary Dana Perino says Bush “will make a brief opening statement, commenting on the important role the White House press corps has in covering presidents and the White House, and then will take questions. The President is looking forward to discussing the important events of the last eight years as well as issues in the news today.” Bush’s newser comes after conducting several exit interviews with the media, including one that aired yesterday in which Bush warned the GOP of becoming anti-immigrant. (Who needs to hear that message? RNC chair candidates? Congressional leaders? Tom Tancredo? Rush Limbaugh?) It also comes as the Washington Post today front-pages that Bush “has presided over the weakest eight-year span for the U.S. economy in decades." One possible question you might hear today: Is that economic record evidence that large tax cuts targeted to the wealthy aren't the answer for economic expansion? After all, Bush’s predecessor -- who raised taxes early in his first term -- saw a much greater economic expansion during his presidency.

Video: TODAY’s Meredith Vieira talks to NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd about the latest in politics, including the transition of power at the White House and President-elect Obama’s economic plan.

*** Stimulus odds and ends: Of course, Obama -- even before he’s inaugurated -- is already working on his own economic legacy with his stimulus plan. The actual stimulus bill isn’t being introduced in the House today (as had been anticipated earlier), so that’s a mini-setback for Team Obama. However, it’s trying to tweak the stimulus as it hears the various critiques coming from Congress. (And Paul Krugman today offers his own two cents on how to improve the plan.) As Politico writes, “The Obama team told about 35 Senate Democrats gathered at Sunday’s meeting that it would grow the size of an energy-tax incentive package and modify proposed tax credits for individuals and for businesses that hire new employees, according to meeting attendees.” Yet what also is clear is that the remaining $350 billion in TARP money has become a thorn in the Obama team’s side as it begins lobbying Congress to release that money. No doubt it’s a problem to have that issue sitting out there while asking for another $800 billion. One more economic note: The New York Times reports that the Obama folks are going to use YouTube, etc. to go over the heads of the media to help sell the stimulus. That is something we said they WOULD do, and now they’re doing it. Also today, Obama meets with Mexican President Calderon in DC…

Video: President-elect Obama is urging Congress to act quickly to free up another $350 billion in bailout money for use by his administration shortly after the inauguration. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports.

*** Blago’d: As NBC’s Ken Strickland reported yesterday, attorneys for Roland Burris are expected to file new documents today with the Senate in a renewed effort to claim the seat vacated by Obama. According to Sen. Dick Durbin (D), a decision of whether those papers satisfy Senate rules could come as early as today. And get this: Per Strick, the Burris matter got top billing in a rare Sunday meeting that was originally planned as a briefing from Larry Summers and Obama's economic team. Summers and company stood outside the Mansfield Room until Durbin finished his class on Illinois politics. So Burris is trumping Summers and the economy right now? It’s just more evidence that this entire Blago/Burris story has become a big distraction for the Democrats and incoming Obama administration.

*** Dropping like flies: Yesterday, First Read confirmed that Ohio Sen. George Voinovich will announce today that he won’t run for another term in 2010, becoming the third Republican in recent weeks (Kit Bond and Mel Martinez were the others) to make that decision. Also, Sen. Sam Brownback is widely expected to run for Kansas governor in 2010 instead of seeking re-election, meaning the minority party is already set to defend four open seats. And there are at least two more potential retirements GOP in Jim Bunning of Kentucky and Chuck Grassley of Iowa. All of this means that new NRSC chief John Cornyn has his work cut out for him. One could argue, however, that the GOP would rather have an open seat in Kentucky…

*** Paterson’s choice: Also over the weekend, we learned that Caroline Kennedy met with Gov. David Paterson to discuss the New York Senate seat. She might very well find out her fate this week. Yet regarding how this all might play out, New York Dems have warned us not to assume that Paterson is a “C.W.” kind of guy. He can be unpredictable -- meaning that just when it looks like he’s sending signals to one candidate, poof, he’s actually leaning another way. That said, has Kennedy heard anything positive out of Paterson publicly in the last two weeks? If she has, that's news to us.

*** Confirmation hearing week: In addition to the ongoing Blago/Burris story, the latest with the economy, and the build-up to next week’s inauguration, the big news this week will be all of the Senate confirmation hearings for Obama’s cabinet picks. On Tuesday, we’ll see four hearings (Chu for Energy, Clinton for State, Donovan for HUD, and Duncan for Education). On Wednesday, there will be one (Shineski for Veterans Affairs). And on Thursday, we’ll see four more (Holder for AG, Napolitano for Homeland Security, Rice for UN ambassador, and Salazar for Interior). Of course, the two biggest of those hearings will be Clinton’s and Holder’s -- and Holder’s, in particular, is shaping up to be contentious. Every day that goes by in the papers seems to resurrect another Holder controversy, whether it’s the Marc Rich pardon, the FALN ones, the Vignali commutation, or his private work for firms like Chiquita, which the New York Times wrote about yesterday. But while we're hearing lots of chatter about tough questions for Holder, it's clear he's going to get confirmed. Ditto Clinton.

Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 8 days
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 16 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 148 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 141 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 295 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 659 days

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Comments

We are about to have a new President and a new Administration. Next week I reckon.
A few excerpts from Harry Truman's Farewell Speech:
Good Evening, My Fellow Americans:
Next Tuesday, General Eisenhower will be inaugurated as President of the United States. I will be on a train on my way home to Independence, Missouri to become a plain citizen. Inauguration Day will be a great demonstration of the Democratic Process. I am glad to be a part of the peaceful transfer of the vast power of the Presidency from my hands to his. There is no job like it on the face of the Earth. I want you all to realize how hard it is and to give Ike all the help he will need.
When Franklin Roosevelt died, I thought there must be a million men more qualified than I to take up the Presidential task. But the work was mine to do. But always, I knew that I was not alone. I knew that you were working with me.
_______________________________
Here’s to new beginnings.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:21 AM)

Shrub leaving office cannot happen fast enough to save the country. He can ramble on in his delusional way all he wants to about his "principles" but the fact is he sent the country down the crapper. He should be held criminally liable for his crimes against this nation and the world.

Don't let the door hit you in the butt when you leave Shrub.

newdayDawning (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:25 AM)

Obama is using Youtube to "go over the heads of the media"? Ohh, that is not a good idea. It's not good to bite the hand that feeds you. The media made Obama, and they can destroy him too.

HMI-MI (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:26 AM)

Paterson is playing this perfect. He'll get an extra million or two out of the Kennedy's for Princess Carolines appointment.

Bernie Madoff, NYC (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:28 AM)

I'm singing the old Beatles tune Eight Days a Week today as there are only 8 days left in the 8 year national nightmare that will be the legacy of perfidy of the bushleague administration - the Keystone Kops who couldn't shoot or talk straight.

The more repugnant ones retire and leave politics the better for our wrecked country. If they were truly patriotic they'd all resign in shame for their truly legendary screwing up of our once great secular democracy.

I just can't stand watching that King of the Kingdom of Fools do his last news conference. Only 8 more days until we get a brand new competent president!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:31 AM)

It was interesting watching Fox yesterday, where North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad just got out of meeting with the Obama team on hammering out about a trillion dollar so called stimulous package. Conrad seemed all happy that he and the other Democrats are just about done spending a trillion dollars they don't have. Then, switch to CNN, who was showing a cut piece on how Bush had added to the deficit. And there was Kent Conrad again, running down the president for spending money he did not have. The irony.

Less Is More (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:33 AM)

Bush just said that the question facing the president is not when the problem started, but what did you do about it.

Well. At least the answer is easy.

Anna Molly (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:33 AM)

So many topics: Blago/Burris is still alive and kicking, and will remain so. Many Illinois politicians and Media reporters have used the term "crazy" to describle Blago. But he certainly is not schizophrenia and have symptoms of hallucinations and delusional thinking. So what is he? My guess is he has a personality disorder, probably antisocial type. These characters tend to do the unexpected, lie, break the rules. (like a lot of politicians). But the real point is that the condition is long enduring and very hard to treat. Translation: He will have to be impeached by the Illionis Senate and perhaps carried out by police to get him out of office. This problem will not go away. Guarentee it.

On a happier note, I am so glad this may be Bushs last news conference. He will try to rewrite history, but the pundits like Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow will keep the facts straight.

Eight days and 4 hours, but who is counting?

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:33 AM)

eric, salinas ca, "I'm singing the old Beatles tune Eight Days a Week"

put it up on youtube. we could all use the laugh.

jdoe, idaho (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:34 AM)

The legacy of the worst president in history will be one of shame and incompetence. I am so glad this monster is going away from the halls of power and now Obama has to pick up the pieces of our wrecked economy. The past 8 years have been the poorest economic times for our country since the Great Depression. Heckuva Job Boy Georgie!

I hope the Democrats blow off the repugnant ones during the hearing and get Obama's picks confirmed ASAP. After the incompetent fools we've had the past 8 years it will be refreshing to ahve truly competent people doing the people's business instead of a bunch of clueless political hacks.

Prison for Tyrants Bush and Cheney!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:36 AM)

Ron, Indiana: Many Illinois politicians and Media reporters have used the term "crazy" to describle Blago. But he certainly is not schizophrenia and have symptoms of hallucinations and delusional thinking. So what is he?

========

Blagojevich is the fall guy for the Democrats. He's the one that got caught. The trick now for the Democrats is to hope Blagojevich doesn't start telling prosecutors stories about other Democrats. Such as Dick Durbin, Mayorr Richard Daley, and the big guy himself, Barack Obama. This scandel is far from being over with Blagojevich's removal from office.

Lets Make A Deal (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:38 AM)

As more information comes forward regarding the authorization of torture by the Bush Administration I don't see how the next Administration cannot pursue an investigation and possible prosecution of Bush and/or Cheney. I understand if the U.S. does not do so there are other countries preparing to bring suit that will place a tremendous amount of pressure on the U.S. to pursue this matter further. This will be interesting to watch.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:39 AM)

Next Tuesday will be a great historic day. We are all [republican, democrat, independent, etc.], fortunate to be living at and experiencing first hand, a monumental moment in history. It will be something our kids, and grandkids, and greatgrandkids, etc...will be reading in history books, but those fortunate to be alive next Tuesday will be able to say, I saw it happen! My suggestion to all - enjoy the feeling of euphoria, let it sweep over you, so that at least for one day, we can forget the challenges that we currently face, and show the world, how great and awsome it is to be American!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:45 AM)

ONE THING THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, GEORGE W. BUSH WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE "WORST" PRESIDENT IN OUR HISTORY. ASKED TODAY, WHAT WOULD HE SAY WAS HIS BIGGEST MISTAKE IN OFFICE. HE STATED,SOMTHING TO THE EFFECT. THAT PUTTING UP THE SIGN ON THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER STATING "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" WAS ONE OF HIS WORST MISTAKES. IS HE DILLUSIONAL OR WHAT ? HIS WHOLE PRESIDENCY WAS A MISTAKE FROM THE BEGINNING, GIVE ME A FRIGHIN' BREAK !

Z (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:48 AM)

G. Thomas, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:49 AM)

I hope everyone is watching this. This will be a TOTAL YouTube classic.

Anna Molly (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:53 AM)

Listening to Bush's last press conference...

Sorry, George 9/11 happened on YOUR WATCH

You're responsible for 9/11
You didn't listen to warning about a possible attack

YOU FAILED TO PROTECT AMERICA ON 9*11

9/11 is your responsibility

Your tax cuts for the rich RUINED the economy
Your tax cuts concentrated wealth even more tightly
You're RESPONSIBLE for the worst economic meltdown in the 'Great Depression'

Your policy of 'De-Regulation' FAILED
Your policy of 'Free Trade' FAILED

Sorry George, you're responsible for your catastrophic Administration

The WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:54 AM)

Just leave! Just. Freakin'. LEAVE!!!

Hit The Road, George! (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:54 AM)

Two thoughts, first isn't that a type in the Patterson's Choice paragraph? On Kennedy, ..."...If he has, that's news to us". Should say 'she', right?

And on Sam Brownback, he can have the governorship of Kansas - good luck with that - Let's run Kathleen Sebelius as the Senator,...She could win that one. She's been a great governor for the State and in spite of the 'redness' she is a Dem that could totally get it done. I just can't remember if Obama tapped her for anything? I leave for DC on Friday and I am really excited!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:54 AM)

DURING TODAYS NEWS CONFERENCE PRESIDENT BUSH ( FOR ONLY 7 1/2 MORE DAYS "BUT WHO'S COUNTING" ? ) STATEED HE HAD "FUN" BEING PRESIDENT. NOT SO MUCH FUN FOR THE REST OF US !

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE : > ( (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:56 AM)

Personally, "I could give a big "#*@#" to what Bush has to say !! Couldn't he just leave now. Before that he might want to clue Lou Dobbs of CNN about the anti-immigrants.

With all this talk bout tax cuts and raised taxes, one thing that will not over big with non-smokers, is that I am tired of being taxed to death on a pack of cigarettes for various programs, namely SHIPS. I'm all for the SHIPS passage, but could Cokes, Liquor and junk food maybe take up some slack for a change !! Aren't they just as harmful???.

Jo Hallmark, TN (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:57 AM)

He should have been impeached and imprisoned two years ago. The scum bag has ruined this country.

Ollie (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:58 AM)

I think I have "Bush fatigue". The last 8 years have been so negative and draining with everything that they have done. That said, I see no reason to revisit them with trials over torture and the like. I want us to move on and I don't think any consequences they may face would change things. In fact, I suspect they would do it all again.
I'm actually surprising myself that I feel this way but I'm just so anxious to turn the page on this sad period of our history.

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh PA (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:00 AM)

Clara -- thanks for the catch.

Mark Murray (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:01 AM)

Thank God it's his LAST news conference! Can't stand listening to him babble on and on about nothing in incomplete sentences and usually incorrect grammer. What a moron with his snarky little smirk that is ever present. UGH! I'm NOT going to miss seeing him in front of a camera. 8 days. Single digits. A whole of hope on our next great administration.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:01 AM)

Josh Larson, FL (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:03 AM)

The appropriate media role in the last Bush press conference would be not to show up. The man (and his minions) would never think to be straight with reporters; instead, they say only whatever advances the agenda du jour, and truth be damned.

Members of the White House press corps share a good deal of blame for the current mess. Giving Bush one last chance to lie about his record would be the last count in a long indictment of the current practice of journalism.

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:10 AM)

Clara –

I knew there were bad feelings between Missouri and Kansas, but how could any compassionate human wish a "Governor Brownback" on anyone else?

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:13 AM)

ENOUGH ALREADY. LEAVE YOU SORRY EXCUSE OF A HUMAN BEING!The mess you are leaving Obama is beyond belief. The U.S. tax payors will being paying for your incompetence for generations to come. For you kool aid drinkers keep deluding yourselves that history will absolve him. Face it The Shrub is the WORST.

Juan, Ft. Lauderdale,FL (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:15 AM)

Steeler fan - don't you think it's time somebody in this freakin administration has to show accountability? Letting it go seems so wrong to me. I heard Cheney on Sirius yesterday admitting to waterboarding! If we don't prosecute, on the news they say other countries will go after them for unhumane acts of corruption which will be really, really bad for our already tainted by this administration country. Where does this kind of act stop?

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:17 AM)

Oh yeah, Clara and Pat - enjoy your trip!!

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:18 AM)

G. Thomas, Wisconsin:

Sorry Thomas. Call it a waste of time if you wish, but before this country can move forawrd in repairing its reputation and trust around the world, someone is going to have to be held accountable for authorizing torture. You can complain about the time it takes all you want, but this matter has to be confronted. If we don't do it we will be forced to do it. And the U.S. would be much better off initiating such an investigation rather than being forced too.

We are not looking for witches Thomas. We are looking for someone to be held accountable for completely destroying this country's credibility around the world as well as attempting to rip apart the very fiber of this country that has always included a refusal to abuse humans and human rights.

Your response to belittle just how very serious such actions and most likely crimes against others and this country are puzzles those who might think you love your country.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:19 AM)

For those of you counting, and we know there are many out there, 1468 days (approximately) until Obama/Biden is out of here!

Be aware Obama only knows campaigns and elections so he will begin running his re-election campaign on Jan 21st, 2009. We will be forced to endure 4 more years of campaigning on what they will do in 2012.

1468 days and they can go away!

Sandy Moore, Indy (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:20 AM)

To Pat in Boston;
Barack Obama hasn't even taken office yet, and you're comparing him to Harry S. Truman?

See what I mean folks?

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:20 AM)

During Brit Hume's Fox News interview of the Bush boys yesterday, Bush 41 said that his son was probably the most tested President in history and he passed the test admirably. Talk about a fairy tale! Bush 43 could not pass a test of any kind, particularly one about keeping us safe and about how to run a country. His entire tenure has been one photo op after another and the end result is a country on the verge of collapse. Thanks for the memories, Dubya!

BTW, Brit, please buy yourself a personality. I haven't seen such enthusiasm during an interview since the zombies premiered on Night of the Living Dead.

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:21 AM)

Bush needs to apologize to the nation for his crimes and stupidity. The book he intends to write should be titled, "How I Ruined America and Killed Untold Thousands Without Really Trying." Good riddance to him.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:23 AM)

The repubs must be held to the fire over torture.Other country's are watching,we have to save face, or our troops will be the next ones boarded.This will be the only way we will have creds with the rest of the world.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:29 AM)

C A: agreed. What G. THomas seems to forget is that this administration broke most of the premises of the Geneva Conventions, which is a multinational agreement. If this country doen't investigate and prosecute these war crimes, then a whole host of other countries have the legal power and the moral authority to do so. I suggest that if we don't want any international tribunal filing a extraditional order against an expresident of ours, then we'd better get cracking

Lawabiding (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:30 AM)

cindy, thank you! Clara, enjoy yourself as well. And to anyone else who will be making the trip to DC for the swearing in.

I gather that GWB will attend the swearing in. But is that it? Does he leave immediately after that to head home to Texas or does he attend the luncheon in the Capitol before the parade? I'm just curious.

I'm feeling a little sympathy for him right now. But it's good for all that this Administration is finally coming to an end.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:32 AM)

"...Sorry Thomas. Call it a waste of time if you wish, but before this country can move forawrd in repairing its reputation and trust around the world, someone is going to have to be held accountable for authorizing torture. ..."
C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:19 AM)

HEAR HEAR! Let's find out just WHO authorized the 911 operation that TORTURED victims on airplanes, in the World Trade Center, and at the Pentagon with horrific pain, injury and death....and which caused LIFE LONG torture for family and friends who were left behind to forever grieve over the loss of a husband, wife father, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandchild...etc.

I really wish that assholes like you would be as concerned over torture, pain, injury and death that is caused to U.S. CITIZENS...as you are about those who inflict such things on us.

Why don't you post your email address for Sierra, he/she night invite you to a code pink rally where you can burn an American flag, and spit at soldiers returning home.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:32 AM)

We are not looking for witches Thomas.

Yes you are. Dems had the opportunity to manage oversight of the Administration for the past 8 years. They in fact voted FOR the war based on the same information the Bush Administration had. Democrats in fact had oversight responsibility over the banks which they neglected to do.

So go ahead, run your little show trials. Let's see how that works out for you.

G. Thomas, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:35 AM)

W and his Gang believed there were WMD. How in the name of sanity did he take a country to war over what he believed?! You take a country to war over what you KNOW!

The country has "Mis-Underestimated me", says W. What in the world does that mean?

W is still trying to rewrite his history......NOT working!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:37 AM)

Cindy--
I normally would agree with you-that's why I said I was surprising myself. I think you and C.A. are correct-but I can't get over thinking that even if found legally accountable, the people who perpetrated these acts would defend them and in fact would do it over again. Can we heal from this situation if we revisit it for the next years?

Steeler fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:41 AM)

For true political junkies, Campaign Diaries has just launched an exhaustive database of Senate recruitment, cataloging all the names (and status) of politicians that are mentioned as possible candidates in the 2010 midterms (yes, that includes races like Vermont's and Arkansas's): http://campaigndiaries.com/recruitment

Dan, NY (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:41 AM)

Why is it that First Read gives negative light to people leaving the Senate or the House? These positions are not for life, and certainly the people doing them have the ability to do something else. The Republicans realize this fact (mostly) while the Democrats think these are lifetime positions (mostly). The power of incumbancy just corrupts the incumbant. And can anyone truely say Robert Byrd is capable of doing the job anymore? Frank Lautenberg? Changing out the incumbents brings in new ideas. That should be celebrated.

New Age Voter (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:43 AM)

In her AIDS-scarred South African township, Sweetness Mzolisa leads a chorus of praise for George W. Bush that echoes to the deserts of Namibia, the hills of Rwanda and the villages of Ethiopia.

Like countless Africans, Mzolisa says she will always be grateful to Bush for his war on AIDS, which has helped to treat more than 2 million Africans, support 10 million more and revitalize the global fight against the disease.

Democrats and Liberals hate this fact as it debunks the lies and hate they spread about President Bush.

Josh Larson, FL (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:03 AM)

I don't hate him for his work in africa! I love the fact that he cared so much for complete strangers, the poor and the weak of other countries...my question is why couldn't he treat the american people like that? or maybe the rest of the world?????

Bentley in NY (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:45 AM)

Hey, Steeler Fan, it's just a warm feeling from the afterglow of yesterday! We'll forgive you but JUST THIS ONCE!!

Dick LeBeau for Secretary of Defense! (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:48 AM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL - I don't see how the next Administration cannot pursue an investigation and possible prosecution of Bush and/or Cheney.

Yes, lets see both the Obama Administration and Congress spend gobs of time investigating the Republicans. It will be such fun to watch as all the party line votes come through in the Senate and the House. Republicans will be on all the Sunday talk shows pointing out that the Democrats are on their little witch hunts while real problems need to be solved in the country. Can Congress's approval rating go negative? I guess we'll find out.
G. Thomas, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:49 AM)
________________

And this would be different from the Republican investigations of Clinton how?

The "it is ok when the Republican Party does it, but not ok when the Democrats do it" hypocracy of the right wing never slows down, does it.

Jackson, Seattle (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 10:58 AM)

I've never been much of a Bush fan, but I think a lot of presidents would be at the bottom of the list, even below him, if they had the intense 24 hour media coverage spotlighted on them.

That's not to say Dubya is great. He isn't. He made a lot of mistakes. Whether it was a bad judgment call or bad info from his advisors in any and all cases I have no idea. He's about gone, though.

I think probably the worst thing about Dubya is that he seemed to completely polarize the nation. Maybe I'm not seeing things clearly, but I really don't remember this level of vitriol rising when Clinton or George Sr. left office.

Donna, Owensboro KY (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 11:01 AM)

President Bush has helped Americans more than what can be imagined. Here are two PDF file links to his legacy.

President Bush-100 Accomplishments: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/bushrecord/documents/appendix_acc_for_web.pdf

President Bush-Accomplishments and Results Booklet

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/bushrecord/documents/legacybooklet.pdf

Karen, Florence, SC (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 11:02 AM)

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