Bush defends legacy in final news conference

ArticleData Array ( [Article] => Array ( [article_id] => 1004876 [headline] => Bush defends legacy in final news conference [abstract] => George W Bush on Monday passionately denied his turbulent presidency had damaged America's moral standing in the world, in a defiant defence of his record in a farewell White House news conference.
[keywords] => bush, US, America, presidency [content] =>

George W Bush on Monday passionately denied his turbulent presidency had damaged America's moral standing in the world, in a defiant defence of his record in a farewell White House news conference.

The unpopular Republican president next week bequeaths Democrat Barack Obama a nation locked in two foreign wars, traumatised by the worst economic slump since the 1930s and with the budget deficit heading towards a trillion dollars.

But Bush, in a valedictory appearance in the White House briefing room, was largely unrepentant, arguing he had acted to keep America safe and to spread freedom -- without worrying about his rock-bottom approval ratings.

'Axis of evil' still a threat

He lashed out at "elites" from Europe and elsewhere, who frowned on his policies and warned that "axis of evil" foes Iran and North Korea were still dangerous.

He said Obama would also face the grave threat of a terror attack on the US homeland and summed up his eight years in power as a "good, strong record".

Bush was most impassioned when confronted with claims he had tarnished America's global reputation.

"I strongly disagree with the assessment that our moral standing has been damaged," Bush said.

"It may be damaged amongst some of the elite -- but people still understand America stands for freedom; that America is a country that provides such great hope.

"You go to Africa, you ask Africans about America's generosity and compassion -- go to India ... go to China and ask."

International popularity 'possible'

Bush argued that he could have been popular in Europe for blaming Israel for all the problems in the Middle East, or by signing the Kyoto climate change accord, or by joining the International Criminal Court.

"I wouldn't worry about popularity. What I would worry about is the constitution of the United States and putting plans in place that make it easier to find out what the enemy is thinking."

Bush, who opponents argue insulated himself from a broad spectrum of advice, was also dismissive of critics who have savaged his presidency.

"I don't see how I can go back home in Texas and look in the mirror and be proud of what I see if I allowed the loud voices, the loud critics, to prevent me from doing what I though was necessary to protect the country."

The president also signalled a fight for his legacy in the years ahead.

"Thank you for giving me a chance to defend a record that I am going to continue to defend because I think it is a good, strong record."

Bush warned Obama will shoulder a heavy responsibility for US security.

Stark warning

"The most urgent threat that he'll have to deal with and other presidents after him will have to deal with is an attack on our homeland."

Bush said history should remember his unpopular Iraq war policy for the surge of troops he ordered when violence threatened to spill out of control.

"I decided to do something about it, and to send 30,000 troops in as opposed to withdrawing. That part of history is certain and the situation did change."

Bush warned Hamas it must halt rocket fire on Israel if there is to be a durable ceasefire in Gaza.

He also noted historians will examine the fact that the US economy slumped into recession at the end of his two terms and said he would be willing to ask Congress for a second $US350 billion ($A499.71 billion) tranche of a finance industry bailout package if Obama asked for it.

Bush also said he was looking to a "front row seat" during the inauguration at the moment in front of the US Capitol on January 20 that Obama becomes the first black US president.

"President-elect Obama's election does speak volumes about how far this country has come when it comes to racial relations.

"I wish him all the best .. it's not a throwaway line, the stakes are high, there is an enemy that still is out there."

Biggest error

Bush admitted to a series of mistakes in his presidency, including the decision to give a speech under a "Mission
Accomplished" banner on a US aircraft carrier after the Iraq war.

He defended his decision not to land Air Force One in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a monster storm which saw his administration accused of deserting thousands of people in inundated New Orleans.

"Could things have been done better? Absolutely. Absolutely."

And with one week left in office, the famously fit president offered a glimpse of a vigorous retirement.

"I just can't envision myself, you know, with the big straw hat and a Hawaiian shirt sitting on some beach."

"Particularly since I quit drinking."

[start_date] => 13 January 2009 | 06:41:07 AM [comments_allowed] => 1 [source] => AFP [commentCount] => 1 [video] => [image] => Array ( [caption] => US President George W. Bush (EPA) [useRegularImage] => 1 [media_library_id] => 58344 [site_id] => 1 [media_library_group_id] => 0 [media_usage_id] => 0 [filename] => site_1_rand_299046645_bush_presser_1301_b_aap.jpg [title] => bush_presser_1301_B_aap_299046645 [description] => file:site_1_rand_299046645_bush_presser_1301_b_aap.jpg [type] => [height] => 338 [width] => 450 [source] => [video_hi] => [video_lo] => [section] => [display_order] => 0 [create_date] => 2009-01-13 06:50:44 [active] => 1 [media_usage] => Article Large [usageWidth] => 300 [usageHeight] => 225 ) [imagePath] => http://media.sbs.com.au/news/upload_media/ [audio] => [reporter] => [relatedLinks] => Array ( [2] => Array ( [id] => 1004495 [label] => Ex-presidents at Obama, Bush meeting [display_order] => 0 [type] => Article ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 1004110 [label] => Bush Sr touts younger son for presidency [display_order] => 0 [type] => Article ) [0] => Array ( [id] => 1003599 [label] => Bush presidency 'not a failure' [display_order] => 0 [type] => Article ) ) [relatedArticles] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [article_id] => 1004495 [headline] => Ex-presidents at Obama, Bush meeting [abstract] => Barack Obama says he hopes to learn from his predecessors, after meeting outgoing President George W Bush and all living former presidents at the White House. [content] =>

Barack Obama says he hopes to learn from his predecessors, after meeting outgoing President George W Bush and all living former presidents at the White House.

In a historic but relaxed conference, Obama said he welcomed the insights of those who have held his post in the past, as Bush wished him well when he takes over on January 20.

"All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office," said Obama, standing next to Bush and three former occupants of the White House, Bill Clinton, George Bush Senior, and Jimmy Carter.

"For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary. And I'm very grateful to all of them," he told reporters in the Oval Office.

Asked what lessons he would seek to learn the nation's other presidents, Obama quipped "from their successes."

With less than two weeks to go before Bush steps down after entering the White House in 2001, the current US president said regardless of party differences he wanted Obama to succeed.

'Historic gathering'

"One message that I have and that I think we all share is that we want you to succeed," Bush, a Republican, told Obama, a Democrat, before the men went into a private lunch.

"Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country. And to the extent we can, we look forward to sharing our experiences with you," Bush said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino called it "a historic gathering".

"Although they may disagree on some policy prescriptions in order to solve problems in America, they're obviously all rooting for the same team," she said.

Obama, who on January 20 will inherit wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a dire economic recession and more conflict in the Middle East, met Bush one-on-one briefly earlier.

Then the two men sat down with their predecessors, the 39th, the 41st and 42nd presidents, Jimmy Carter (1977-1981), George Bush Senior (1989-93) - the father of the current president - and Bill Clinton (1993-2001).

'Difficult' transition

It was the first such meeting at the White House since October 8, 1981, when the assassination of Egyptian president Anwar al-Sadat gathered Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter with then US president Ronald Reagan, Perino said.

The five men had "a constructive conversation" Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement afterwards.

"The president-elect was grateful for their counsel and the spirit of bipartisanship they showed in wishing his administration success in meeting the challenges we all share as Americans," Gibbs said, adding Obama planned to stay in touch with all of them.

This White House transition has been described as the most difficult since the Great Depression of the 1930s, or even the Civil War era when Abraham Lincoln entered the White House in 1861.

Perino said although the conversation would remain private, she imagined the men would discuss the Middle East and the economy.

Economy 'no. 1 priority'

"Every one of these presidents has dealt with the challenges there as they've evolved over time," she said.

"Given that the economy is number one on everyone's priority list... I'm sure they'll talk about that," Perino said.

The talk among the former, current and future US presidents at lunch was also expected to touch on raising children in the White House, she said.

"I'm sure they'll also have a chance to talk about experiences and memories that they have in the White House, both on the personal side - such as raising a family in the public eye and raising a family in the White House - and also what it's like to be in the post-presidency, as President Bush is about to experience in about 12 days."

It was the second time Obama has visited the White House since his November election victory. Bush hosted the president-elect on November 10.

 

[content_type_id] => 3 [site_name] => World News Australia [articledate] => 8 January 2009 [articletime] => 8 January 2009 [display_order] => 0 ) ) [comments] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [articles_ugc_id] => 16478 [author] => iraqii [source] => VIC [content] => Coming from an iraqi ,this man is a "legend" he did what no arab person had the guts to do,overthrow the dictatorship of saddam insain ,listen to the say of the majority of iraqis and they will tell what life was like under saddam,a question for saddams supporters.What did saddam do for iraq in his 25 years in power? The country just went backwards 50 years and his greed didnt get us anyware.Point im trying to make is if it wasnt 4 BUSHY there would still be UN sanctions and no elections. [user_headline] => the man that changed iraq [comment_date] => 15 Jan 2009 23:18 AEST [agree] => 0 [disagree] => 0 ) ) ) [winston] => test )