Bush's legacy: Reviews of the presser

Posted: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

The Boston Globe's lead on the Bush presser: "Defiant but self-deprecating, gracious but indignant, President Bush yesterday defended his tumultuous terms in office, acknowledging mistakes but insisting he had consistently done what he thought was right."

The Washington Post says Bush “devoted a valedictory news conference yesterday to a robust defense of his ‘good, strong record,’ going further than he has gone before in conceding errors -- but making it clear that he has few major regrets about his handling of Iraq, Hurricane Katrina and the other major events of his eight years in office.” The paper also notes that he “offered a bit more nuance and soul-searching than he usually does in such settings, pounding the lectern for emphasis at certain points and bantering with some of the reporters with whom he has sparred.”

The AP: "He bobbed and weaved and smiled wistfully, quipped about giving up drinking, deployed a mock European accent to kid a reporter, vowed to make his wife coffee. At the same time, he warned about terrorism, bristled at comments that the federal response to Hurricane Katrina was slow and said finding no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq - the rationale for a six-year war -- was 'a significant disappointment.' ... The session ... also proved an extraordinary glimpse behind the psychic curtain and an illuminating window into what we want -- and may not want -- out of the modern presidency. Bush was at turns erratic and eloquent, nostalgic and melancholy, gracious and cantankerous, regular guy-ish and resignation-era Nixonian. It all felt strangely intimate and, occasionally, uncomfortable in the manner of seeing a plumber wearing jeans that ride too low."

The New York Post: "The 43rd president yesterday turned his final White House press conference into a combative yet wistful report card."

AP fact checks Bush's speech.

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Comments

Boston Globe, Washington Post, AP. All liberal. All butt-kissers of the Democrats. All going out of business. And then a one liner from the NY Post.

FR, you can do better.

N Gray, Orlando FL (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:15 AM)

This is what arrogance looks like. The dunce in chief will always live in that glass bubble - everything is alright - no matter how bad things truly are. Respect is a two way street and as long as the dunce in chief thinks he has done nothing wrong (see his rant on Katrina), he will garner no respect, period.

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:17 AM)

bush once again proves his dsconnect with reality, most of America and the world, he actually thinks he did a good job in every respect and that everyone else is just picking on him. Thank God he will soon be gone and the rebuilding of America can begin.

thats a fact jack (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:19 AM)

BUSH IS OUT OF HIS MIND TO GET ON T.V AND TELL ALL THOSE LIES . WHAT REALITY IS HE LIVING IN GETTING THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE KILLED AND HE DIDN'T DO NOTHING TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA. HE THINKS THAT HE IS SOME GREAT PRESIDENT HE SICKER THEN I BELIEVED.

SANDRA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:23 AM)

I watched parts of Shrubs press conference yesterday. Complete denial if you asked me. Yes what he did in Africa was good. What he did to the American people was bad. Never did I feel respect come from him and the Dick! Katrina is a great example. Still is! My hope is we can recover from the last 8 years, stronger.

Micheal Jackson - your remark about fairy dust wasn't fair. How would having HOPE apply to fairy dust?? There has been no reason to have hope for our country for quite a while. My hope is those 9,000 people in New Orleans will have their own homes soon. My hope is the wars we are in that we shouldn't be will end soon without any more lose of lives. My hope is the economy will recover. My hope is people will be able to receive medical coverage. My hope is their will be a cure for cancer, and on and on. You may think I'm crazy, and that's OK. I have 4 children and 4 grand children that I have hope for a bright future. Need I say more?????

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:24 AM)

Well the Rachael Maddow Show last night took care of George Bush's boastful statement of 'Don't tell me the Federal Government was Slow to respond Hurrican Katrina.'' Rachael Maddow not only told him how slow he really was, But showed him the Newspaper Headlines with the Dates on them from Aug. 28, 2005 when hurrican Katrina hit New Orleans, and the day after the hurrican hit when people were stranded on rooftops, and looting and rape was going on in the shelters. And where was George Bush? Bush was partying and cutting birthday cake with John Maccain in Arizona; the picture of Bush and Mccain was right in the newspaper with the Date on it. It took 2 days of people dying in the streets before the Federal Government sent any help to New Orleans.

gepa (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:26 AM)

It all felt strangely intimate and, occasionally, uncomfortable in the manner of seeing a plumber wearing jeans that ride too low."
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More like watching your crazy, nobody wants to sit next to, crazy uncle that happens to be at every family gatherings. This idiot can't be gone too soon. I hate watching him, especially when it isn't a formal speech written by somebody with a few brain cells compared to the reader of the speech. I've decided he thinks he's funny and he's really not. It was actually painful watching this news conference as I think the man is delusional about whatever "accomplishments" he THINKS he made. Rachel debunked the "he kept America safe" rhetoric we always hear from the Republicans,stating they had intelligence on a daily basis confirming that there were NOT going to be any attacks. The entire world has no respect for this man, I'm sure the terroists don't either and it was nothing Bush either did or did not do that kept America safe. On the other hand, he totally ruined America's economy, killed over 4,000 Americans in a war for no good reason, and hurt America's image around the world. Now, there's a legacy we can believe in. GWB will go down in history as the worst president this great nation has ever seen. And now he wants to give a frewell speech this coming Thursday. Does this man NOT understand we don't want to hear anything else he has to say? Just go back to Texas with your fantasy of whatever you think you did for the last 8 years and get out of our lives forever. The man is a sad excuse for anything called a "leader".

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:47 AM)

gepa - Rachael Maddow not only told him [Bush] how slow he really was,

Maddow talked to Bush directly? No she didn't. Maddow would be lucky to get an interview with an assistant deputy under-secretary of Education.

Dems Bones (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:49 AM)

The irony is that Bush actually allowed his comments to be taped! The height of stupidity!

Judy in AZ (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:53 AM)

I saw a clip of Bush justifying departing from his Free Market principles to push for a bailout. "What would you do if people showed you the numbers showing if you don't do this the depresssion will be another Great Depression? You would act!" So much for Bush's much vaunted adherence to principle. You'd think he'd at least wonder, gee, if I have to abandon the Free Market idea in the face of a crisis, maybe that principle is flawed. Or, if I really believe the market will always correct itself, maybe I should let the banks fail and the homes be foreclosed and the auto industry die. But, maybe that would be too much thinking for the President of the United States to engage in.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:02 AM)

To all of you "shrubbies" (Bush supporters) who'll be posting here claiming that anyone who criticizes Bush is "unpatriotic", here's a quote from one of your fellow Republicans.

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Clearly you understand the meaning. For the past 8 years you deemed anyone who didn't fall lock-step with Bush regarding everything from the war to Katrina to tax-cuts for the rich as unpatriotic, unamerican, terrorists, etc. What you've constantly failed to realize is that dissention is not only patriotic, it is our moral duty as citizens of this country. As much as we need to protect our country from threats from abroad, we must also be willing to speak out against threats from within our own government, including the presidency (that includes Obama). While you confuse your fear and docility with "patriotisim", your actions really advocate despotisim and totalitarian rule. Much like the Taliban, Hammas, Al-Queda, Nazi-Germany, and other states where speech is subject to scrutiny. I'll agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion of Bush and Obama, positive and negative. However, I shudder to think that we could live in a country where citizens believe that somehow their speech is dangerous, where dissent is demonized, and where diversity of opinion is seen as "emboldening terrorism". This is AMERICA, folks. DEAL WITH IT!

1 WEEK UNTIL INAUGURATION DAY!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:05 AM)

I'm sure Obama will have to face the same questions when he leaves in four years...

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:11 AM)

N Gray from Orlando (first blog) - You hit the nail on the head. Thanks.

Also, the Olbermanniac/Maddow junk TV is some of the worst on television, cable or network. A blank screen is more interesting. At least try to have an opposing view. You guys are preaching to the choir.

Mollyanna (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:12 AM)

Bush acknowledged mistakes? Yeah the banner was not a good thing and Katrina could have been handled better but what about thousands dead in a war that should never have happened? What about deregulation and the melt down of the economy? What about the fact that most of the world can't stand George W. Bush and hold Americans accountable for him even those who didn't vote for him? What about Guantanamo, waterboarding and the list goes on? Had it only been Abu Grieb or a silly banner, fluffs on Katrina. most people would have forgiven him long ago but it was more,much more than that. His speech shows just more evidence of how out of touch he is with reality. One week to go and the nightmare is over.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:17 AM)

Bush fogets that the tapes are on file. We, americans so Katrina, and it is still not done! What a moron, what planet does he come from. Thank God there are only a few days left. I am sure the whole world will breath easier when he is gone.

MCJ Colorado (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:20 AM)

It was simply an incompetent man trying to defend his incompetent behavior. At first Bush was like a kid who breaks his mother's favorite lamp. He denies having done so. Then as evidence comes out that he is not telling the truth then he tries to defend his behavior by saying the lamp was ugly and unsafe because it was poorly wired and needed replaced anyway. There is no ability to take full responsibility for breaking many things in this country. His only recourse is to indignantly defend his actions. The graciousness is a ploy used to hopefullly gain some sympathy and to end the accusations that he broke the lamp. He just wants to get out of the room, out of the Whitehouse to the sanctity of his unrealistic and enabling world.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:28 AM)

Bush accomplished his main goals since 9/11.

1) Nailing Sadam Hussein
2) Launching an all-out war on terrorism
3) Establishing Homeland Security
4) Keeping the United States of America safe.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:30 AM)

Can't wait to see Barack on Inauguration Day. I hope he's up to the hype 'cause when it's over he'll sit in the Oval Office knowing the weight of the world is on him and his supporters and the media won't cut him any slack if he screws up, or, should I say, doesn't do it THEIR way.

The great thing about George Walker Bush is that, like him or not, he had the intestinal fortitude to do it HIS way, not giving in to critics. I don't think America will be safe under Obama's watch.

Monkberry Moon (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:38 AM)

You know, now that I think about it, I believe another one of Bush's goals while in office, we'll call it Goal #5, was pissing off the entire liberal asylum.

Mission accomplished.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:44 AM)

Also, the Olbermanniac/Maddow junk TV is some of the worst on television, cable or network. A blank screen is more interesting. At least try to have an opposing view. You guys are preaching to the choir.

Mollyanna

I like how Maddow and Olbermann have "conversations" with Bush or what ever Republican they are attacking at the moment. Of course they are just talking to themseleves, serving up straw man arguments for them to knock down. It is a bit amusing. They must stop taking their meds to get into that mental state.

N. Gray Orlando (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:50 AM)

The great thing about George Walker Bush is that, like him or not, he had the intestinal fortitude to do it HIS way, not giving in to critics.
Monkberry Moon
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Yeah, a LOT of good that cowboy mentality did for our country, didn't it? His unwillingness to listen to others put America at jeopardy.....world wide. Some cowboy, wasn't he? He can't be gone soon enough.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:02 AM)

Watching GWB trying to answer the questions posed by the press, it brought back many sad memories of his past term in office. At the same time I also remember the members of congress that stood behind him and rubber stamped his twisted policies. Those nasty people are still there to work their foul business. To really effect change in that corrupt system, our new President needs to make some examples of what will happen to "law breakers"the and indite and convict as many of scum as possible. It is time to clean our house.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:11 AM)

The great thing about George Walker Bush is that, like him or not, he had the intestinal fortitude to do it HIS way, not giving in to critics. I don't think America will be safe under Obama's watch.

And that's why he was a terrible president. He was incompetent, and because he took no ones advise, ruled from his gut, and demonized those who went against him, he made mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake.....I hope that Obama listens to his critics whenever they voice their opinion regardless of whether he uses their suggestions or not.

Bentley in NY (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:31 PM)

It's amazing to still see these bush supporters who continue to say he "kept America safe:! What utter BS. He was on watch on 9-11, it was his responsibility and he FAILED!!! When he realized that he actually "pooped" in his pants when hearing of the tragedy, it took him 9 minutes to move around enough to re-arrange the deposit that he made so the lumps would not show! Where is Cheney when you need him?

Don in LA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 2:14 PM)

I was on the ground when Katrina hit. I saw it firsthand. There was no coordinated federal effort until the end of the first week. Bush can say whatever he wants but those are the facts as I witnessed them.

John, New Orleans (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:04 PM)

Bush's presidency has been a near total SUCCESS -- you just have to know what "success" really means. He has helped his big corporate buddies further turn the US into a plutocracy. His oily friends are laughing all the way to the bank, his Wall Street friends made a killing with their sneaky deals and deregulation (and all their excesses paid for by YOU), no-bid contracts for his contributors, environmental destruction for his profiteering buddies, outlawing governmental negotiations for lower drug prices, massive gifts of pork to the military-industrial complex, putting lobbyists in charge of the chicken coop.... etc etc.
If you're a fat cat then Bush has been the best return on investments you could ever have.

Steve (Sent Saturday, January 17, 2009 4:12 PM)

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