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Tonight's farewell address will be George W. Bush's final opportunity to put his own imprint on his legacy before he leaves office. The White House says it will be his last major appearance before power transfers to Barack Obama on Inauguration Day.
(CBS)In the nation’s the first farewell address (actually a written message published in newspapers) George Washington issued "warnings from a parting friend." George W. Bush has already offered cautionary advice to Barack Obama. Mr. Bush said, "The most urgent threat he will have to deal with and other presidents will have to deal with is an attack on our homeland."
The nation and the world have changed dramatically since President Washington's 1796 call for "a careful foreign policy of friendly neutrality that would avoid creating implacable enemies or international friendships of dubious value..."
While Mr. Bush has repeatedly said historians will have to define his years in office, he has clearly tried to shape the retrospective with his final news conference, speeches and a series of interviews conducted in the closing days of his White House tenure. He has boasted of keeping the country safe from terror attacks since 9-11. He is proud of cutting taxes. Despite the worst economy in decades, he has pointed with pride to 52 months of job growth while he was in office. While he has admitted to mistakes and disappointments, his own list of accomplishments includes freeing the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Critics of course have a different view. They believe the moment the U.S. invaded Iraq, Mr. Bush lost the international goodwill and sympathy that was generated by the 9-11 attacks. On the home front, there are strong memories of the botched federal response to Hurricane Katrina.
Veteran Republican strategist Ed Rollins told the CBS News Early Show that through the years Mr. Bush has been "overly confident about a lot of things." The former Reagan advisor said, " There was no humility" as Mr. Bush appeared as a "conquering hero" when he wore a pilot's outfit on a flight to the carrier Abraham Lincoln where he stood under the banner that read " Mission Accomplished" long before major combat ended in Iraq. The president has since admitted that placing that banner was "a mistake."
Mr. Bush will certainly voice self confidence tonight. He recently told reporters, "I leave town with a great sense of accomplishment and my head held high."
(CBS)In the nation’s the first farewell address (actually a written message published in newspapers) George Washington issued "warnings from a parting friend." George W. Bush has already offered cautionary advice to Barack Obama. Mr. Bush said, "The most urgent threat he will have to deal with and other presidents will have to deal with is an attack on our homeland."
The nation and the world have changed dramatically since President Washington's 1796 call for "a careful foreign policy of friendly neutrality that would avoid creating implacable enemies or international friendships of dubious value..."
While Mr. Bush has repeatedly said historians will have to define his years in office, he has clearly tried to shape the retrospective with his final news conference, speeches and a series of interviews conducted in the closing days of his White House tenure. He has boasted of keeping the country safe from terror attacks since 9-11. He is proud of cutting taxes. Despite the worst economy in decades, he has pointed with pride to 52 months of job growth while he was in office. While he has admitted to mistakes and disappointments, his own list of accomplishments includes freeing the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Critics of course have a different view. They believe the moment the U.S. invaded Iraq, Mr. Bush lost the international goodwill and sympathy that was generated by the 9-11 attacks. On the home front, there are strong memories of the botched federal response to Hurricane Katrina.
Veteran Republican strategist Ed Rollins told the CBS News Early Show that through the years Mr. Bush has been "overly confident about a lot of things." The former Reagan advisor said, " There was no humility" as Mr. Bush appeared as a "conquering hero" when he wore a pilot's outfit on a flight to the carrier Abraham Lincoln where he stood under the banner that read " Mission Accomplished" long before major combat ended in Iraq. The president has since admitted that placing that banner was "a mistake."
Mr. Bush will certainly voice self confidence tonight. He recently told reporters, "I leave town with a great sense of accomplishment and my head held high."
Finally, the president that handled 9/11, has finally stepped down from the chair.
:edit:
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Bush Farewell Address Focuses Past, Future Security Steps
1/15/2009 8:16 PM ET (RTTNews) - Outgoing U.S. President George Bush says the election of Barack Obama as President marks an historic event for the country.
Obama's journey to the nation's highest office "reflects the enduring promise of our land," said Mr. Bush in his farewell address as President, broadcast Thursday. "This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation."
The President also defended many of his actions during eight years as Commander In Chief, and admitted to shortcomings.
Bush focused many of his remarks on U.S. security and the steps taken to preserve that security in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The President said that despite criticism, those efforts have been successful.
"There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results," Mr. Bush said. "America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil day and night to keep us safe - law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces."
Mr. Bush also called the possibility of more terrorist attacks against the United States "the gravest threat" facing the nation.
On the global economic recession, Mr. Bush said the government rose to meet the challenges. "Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy," he said. "These are tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted."
Mr. Bush noted that during his tenure he had experienced setbacks. "There are things I would do differently if given the chance," his said, without going into specifics.
Looking forward, the President called on his successor to continue engaging the world with what he called a clear purpose. "In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism," Mr. Bush said. "Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led."
by RTT Staff Writer
1/15/2009 8:16 PM ET (RTTNews) - Outgoing U.S. President George Bush says the election of Barack Obama as President marks an historic event for the country.
Obama's journey to the nation's highest office "reflects the enduring promise of our land," said Mr. Bush in his farewell address as President, broadcast Thursday. "This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation."
The President also defended many of his actions during eight years as Commander In Chief, and admitted to shortcomings.
Bush focused many of his remarks on U.S. security and the steps taken to preserve that security in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The President said that despite criticism, those efforts have been successful.
"There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results," Mr. Bush said. "America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil day and night to keep us safe - law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces."
Mr. Bush also called the possibility of more terrorist attacks against the United States "the gravest threat" facing the nation.
On the global economic recession, Mr. Bush said the government rose to meet the challenges. "Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy," he said. "These are tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted."
Mr. Bush noted that during his tenure he had experienced setbacks. "There are things I would do differently if given the chance," his said, without going into specifics.
Looking forward, the President called on his successor to continue engaging the world with what he called a clear purpose. "In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism," Mr. Bush said. "Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led."
by RTT Staff Writer
Honestally, I think Bush did the best he could, in his own perspective, during his presidency, good luck with life sir