Bush -- wistful, defiant, defensive to end

Posted: Monday, January 12, 2009 10:28 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
President George W. Bush struck a wistful and, at times, defensive and defiant tone at a press conference he called the "ultimate exit interview."

"I've had my time in the klieg lights," he said. "You might catch me opining" from time to time, but, he added, he wishes his successor, President-elect Obama "all the very best." 

In what is believed to be likely Bush's last press conference as president, he discussed a wide range of topics, including the news of the day (Gaza, the impending stimulus package), as well as reflecting on his legacy and mistakes made.

"Don't tell me the federal response was slow, when there were 30,000 people pulled up off roofs," Bush said. "That's a pretty quick response."

He added, "There's more that could have been done, sure."

Bush defended, however, the decision not to land Air Force One in the region, because it would have diverted needed police resources, and then the media would have criticized that, he said.

Defending America's 'moral standing'
On America's image in the world, Bush said, "I strongly disagree that our moral standing has been damaged."

He acknowledged that it "may have been damaged among some of the elite" in Europe, but not with the rest of the world. He said to ask Africa, India and China about America -- that they would see it as a place that promotes freedom.

"Those are few countries" that view the U.S. in a poor light, Bush added. "I disagree that people view America in a dim light. I just disagree with the assessment."

He went on, saying that if he wanted to be popular -- in some parts of Europe, in particular -- he would blame Israel for everything in the Middle East, join the International Criminal Court and support Kyoto -- though he called it flawed.

"I wouldn't worry about popularity," Bush said, adding, "I'm concerned about the country."

'Mission Accomplished,' rhetoric, Abu Ghraib, WMD among mistakes, disappointments
He repeated a list of his mistakes, including the "Mission Accomplished" banner and some of his rhetoric. (In the past, he has cited saying "Dead or Alive.") He listed Abu Ghraib and the non-existence of weapons of mass destruction as disappointments. Bush reiterated his stance that history will judge him, but that there is "no short-term history."

'Israel has a right to defend herself'
On the current fighting in Gaza, he repeated his administration's stance that the U.S. is "for a sustainable ceasefire."

But he said there would not be a sustainable ceasefire if Hamas continues firing rockets into Israel. The president identified smuggling from Egypt as one of the biggest problems and said that working with Egypt is key. He also warned against those who provide arms supplies to Hamas.

Bush reiterated that "Israel has a right to defend herself." He did add, though, that he hopes Israel will be mindful of the innocent. Asked why there was not peace in the region, he said, "That's a good question. ... It's been a long time since there's been peace in the Middle East."

Greatest threats
The president said the greatest threat remains one to the "homeland." He identified North Korea as a great threat because of a potential for a "highly enriched uranium program," though he acknowledged that there is a debate in the intelligence community as to how large a threat it actually is.

"They're still dangerous," Bush said, adding that "Iran is still a threat."

GOP can't be anti-immigrant
On how the Republican Party recovers from defeats in the last two election cycles, he said, "This party will come back, but this party's message should be" one of inclusion. He cited immigration as an example, stressing that the problem is "the image that came out is that Republicans don't like immigrants." Bush said the party "has to be compassionate and broad minded."

He then reflected on the 1964 elections when his father lost a bid for the Senate -- downballot of Lyndon B. Johnson. He cited that in 1966 "there was a resurgence" and said it could happen again.

In defense of the bailout
Bush insisted that the $700 billion bailout was necessary and that it has allowed the financial markets to begin to "thaw."

Hoping for different tone
Bush again also lamented the tone of Washington.

"I hope the tone is different for [Obama] than it is for me," said Bush, who also commented that Obama's swearing in will be "amazing." In Washington, Bush said, there's a lot of "needless namecalling."

"The rhetoric got out of control," he said. "Frankly, for the system itself, I hope that when people disagree with Obama they treat him with respect."

Bush added, "No question there will be critics, and there should be. ... I just hope the tone is respectful; he deserves it, and so does the country."

The media "misunderestimated" Bush?
With relation to the media, Bush left it with one more so-called Bushism.

Bush said he disagreed with some stories that were written, but overall he respected the press -- though he thinks the media, at times, "misunderestimated" him.

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