President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney walked through the Colonnade of the West Wing en route to a motorcade to a Pentagon Memorial Ceremony on Sept. 11, 2008, on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks. (White House photo by David Bohrer )
by Mark Silva
At 8:01:30 pm EST this evening -- by the White House's clock -- President Bush will deliver his final address as president from the East Room, a 15-minute-or-so farewell that will encompass eight years of challenges and accomplishments, as he sees them.
The television networks will carry the farewell address, a modern-day ritual which has taken different forms at times -- President Richard Nixon announcing on TV in 1974 that he would resign from the presidency, the only one to do so, President Lyndon Johnson announcing on TV in 1968 in the midst of turmoil over the Vietnam war that he would not seek a second term.
Not all of the presidents, during these past 48 years, have completed two terms -- just Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and now George W. Bush.
The critics, of course, are delivering unkind reviews before the speech even begins. "After spending 8 years destroying everything he touched, Bush will give his final TV speech tonight,'' Bob Fertik at Democrats.com writes. "The only question is whether he will use tonight's TV speech to announce his blanket pre-emptive pardons for everyone who tortured and wiretapped - or whether he will wait until Tuesday morning just before President Obama is sworn in when (he hopes) no one will notice.''
And the president himself has acknowledged his own "mistakes'' and "disappointments'' during these eight years -- allowing a Misssion Accomplished banner to fly aboard the aircraft carrier where he declared major combat operations completed several weeks after the invasion of Iraq, the tough "rhetoric'' he employed in the hunt for Osama bin Laden -- "dead or alive'' -- the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by the American military, his campaign for Social Security reform, when he should have been pressing immigration reform. He did all this during his final, 47-minute press conference this week, the 47th of his presidency.
This morning, the president and first lady will travel to the State Department for a ceremony celebrating the "achievements'' of foreign policy. That will set a decidedly different tone -- one which may well be echoed in tonight's final address. And the White House has published its own roster of accomplishments, in "The Bush Record."
The retiring president, it seems, is taking a stab at his own legacy with his own first drafts of history, though historians say they'll handle that, thank you.
At the White House, they are packing up. The press secretary, Dana Perino, delivers her final press briefing, also televised, tomorrow at 10:30 am. Her aides already have started delivering their own personal farewells, some gone today, some tomorrow. And on Tuesday, they will turn over the keys to President-elect Barack Obama, who already has enlisted a designer, Hollywood's Michael S. Smith, to redecorate the private residence for the Obama family.
A lot to take in during these next few days. Join us, here.
Comments
"I was good. I'm a people person, damn it!" --GWB
Posted by: Vivian | January 15, 2009 8:43 AM
I hope the other nutworks are airing cartoons, so when President Bush shows up, he will not feel out of place !! Who cares, just go home !! You've done your damage to America !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALOVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 15, 2009 8:49 AM
Ah yes, the 2 gunslingers.
NO WAR IN AFGHANISTAN!
CLOSE GITMO NOW NOW NOW
PROSECUTE CHENEY BUSH RICE RUMSFELD WOLFOWITZ FOR TREASON.
REOPEN 9/11 INVESTIGATION--FOR REAL THIS TIME.
http://loosechange911.com/lc2.shtml
Posted by: Once more, with feeling | January 15, 2009 9:14 AM
How Bush will be remembered:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NtgXlrcvXZA/SWefXdXUMhI/AAAAAAAAZhs/M4yTsPj1pmM/s1600-h/CHUCKMAN+-+BUSH+-+HOW+BUSH+WILL+BE+REMEMBERED+-+JOKER+FACE.jpg
Posted by: JOHN CHUCKMAN | January 15, 2009 9:22 AM
If you happen to be a mascochist and actually listen the Dubya's speech, do yourself a favor and think Stuart Smalley as you do so.
Posted by: Doug Zook | January 15, 2009 9:23 AM
Will anyone even watch this farewell monologue? Bush is being paid so little attention by most Americans that his approval rating actually spiked as hes preparing to leave office. If that's not a sign of irrelevance, I don;t know what is.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | January 15, 2009 9:25 AM
History will vindicate President Bush. He did great, under difficult circumstances. You haters, critics who have swallowed the koolaide, will be silenced. Thankfully America's enemies were not able to slay you on President Bush's watch.
Posted by: Richard | January 15, 2009 9:25 AM
It is 15 minutes too long.
Posted by: ornery | January 15, 2009 9:28 AM
http://arrestbush2009.com/
These CRIMINALS.
And arrest the secret service agent who snafu-ed metra trains with his antics. FIRE HIM. And if it was an assignment---FIRE HIS SUPERVISOR.
Secret Service is clearly racist---they have big problems with racism and they're trying to impede travel to the inauguration.
Posted by: Bill Clinton was 'nice' to conservatives and look where it got hi | January 15, 2009 9:49 AM
I see the posters above are following Obama's mantra of change. Try to focus on the good that he did, not the few things that you feel he did wrong and you will be much happier, and less likely to prove yourselves hypocrites over the next four years.
Posted by: Todd | January 15, 2009 9:50 AM
Richard, 9/11 happened on Bush's watch--and he knew it was about to happen ("Bin Laden Determined To Strike..." remember that one?)
We are less safe that ever before. History will judge your beloved Bush as THE ULTIMATE WORST. The damage this one small man has done is incalculable. Good Riddance and stay away!
Posted by: tiny | January 15, 2009 10:36 AM
I hope the other nutworks are airing cartoons, so when President Bush shows up, he will not feel out of place !! Who cares, just go home !! You've done your damage to America !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALOVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 15, 2009 8:49 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ah yes, the 2 gunslingers.
NO WAR IN AFGHANISTAN!
CLOSE GITMO NOW NOW NOW
PROSECUTE CHENEY BUSH RICE RUMSFELD WOLFOWITZ FOR TREASON.
REOPEN 9/11 INVESTIGATION--FOR REAL THIS TIME.
http://loosechange911.com/lc2.shtml
Posted by: Once more, with feeling | January 15, 2009 9:14 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How Bush will be remembered:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NtgXlrcvXZA/SWefXdXUMhI/AAAAAAAAZhs/M4yTsPj1pmM/s1600-h/CHUCKMAN+-+BUSH+-+HOW+BUSH+WILL+BE+REMEMBERED+-+JOKER+FACE.jpg
Posted by: JOHN CHUCKMAN | January 15, 2009 9:22 AM
Posted here are the ravings of the logic challenged holy trinity sufferers of Bush Derangement Syndrome...Its Ok- he will be gone soon guys, not sure what you will do with your time now but good luck to you all...
Posted by: heartburn | January 15, 2009 10:50 AM
IS NBC going to preempt The Office? Please, Bush is not going to say anything important tonight. He has had less public addresses than any president in recent history. And I am not including his 2-minute weekly radio addresses which are of no meaning. I don't care if NBC skips Kath and Kim, but please let there be a new Office episode run. And how can it preempt 30 Rock as that show was the big winner with the Golden Globes.
Posted by: ss | January 15, 2009 11:03 AM
Smarmy chickenhawk Cheney and the lying and deceitful Bush. The very worst administration in US history.
Posted by: Doug R. | January 15, 2009 12:04 PM
At least President Bush was born here. Was Obama? Why is he stonewalling on releasing his vault birth certificate? What does he have to hide? If we find out that he was not born in this country, then he has done far more than lie. Obama will have spit on our constitution.
Posted by: CeeCee | January 15, 2009 12:10 PM
52 consecutive months of growth after 9/11--no attacks on American soil for over seven years--a new democracy and ally in the middle east--over fifty million muslims freed from a muderous brutal dictator--ten million new jobs created with tax cuts--used B.J. Clinton's 1995 special rendition act to extract information from the enemy.
And defended this nation with out taking a poll first!
Obama has some big shoes to fill.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 15, 2009 12:11 PM
Will BET be airing this?
Posted by: Scott | January 15, 2009 12:59 PM
Pretty easy heartburn, we'll just continue smacking around bush apologists and the ten percent fringe like you and Paulo.
Posted by: Teresa | January 15, 2009 1:03 PM
History will vindicate President Bush. He did great, under difficult circumstances. You haters, critics who have swallowed the koolaide, will be silenced. Thankfully America's enemies were not able to slay you on President Bush's watch. -------
NOT SO FAST. we have all succumb to the enemy within on Bush's watch - look at our economy as destroyed by the greedy. it's hard to worry about a terrorist attack when one is unemployed and sitting at home on a couch. the whole terrorist threat is real but has been way overstated - the average american is 100 times more likely to die in an auto accident than by some terrorist event. god bless those who have lost their lives on 911 and the wars which followed but lets not succumb to the fear machine. it's the economy and greed reform we should focus on.
Posted by: Paul R. | January 15, 2009 1:14 PM
A man who truly has not learned anything from the eight years he wasted in office, and is hard pressed to think about regrets, what he would do diferently, etc. The most unpopular president since Nixon who will go down in history as one of the worst. Good riddance Shrub, and don't the the doorknob hit you in the keister on the way out.
Posted by: Marty | January 15, 2009 1:30 PM
What history will you pay attention to Richard? George Bush will never be vindicated by any rationale person. Why don't you give Paulo a call and you can watch together since you share the same dream world as him.
Posted by: Tim | January 15, 2009 1:32 PM
Obama has some big shoes to fill.
Paulo
A pimple on a gnat's butt would overflow that nitwit's winter boots.
Posted by: a blinkin | January 15, 2009 1:42 PM
I am SOOOO looking forward to the part when Porky Pig comes on and says, "Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-That's all folks!"
Posted by: CJ | January 15, 2009 1:47 PM
I look forward to the last time this man's voice will make my ears bleed!
Posted by: Markimal | January 15, 2009 2:06 PM
Richard--tell that to the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2008--indeed, on Dubya's watch.
Posted by: Janstress | January 15, 2009 2:15 PM
Mr. Bush may be headed back to Texas, but he's living in a state of denial.
Posted by: rupert | January 15, 2009 2:17 PM
tiny....9/11 happened on President Bush's watch AND it's his fault?
Do YOU have any understanding of what happened?
Everything was ducky between Islamic terrorists and the 8 years of Clinton's "watch"?
Is EVERYTHING from your twisted logic to the postion of the stars in he sky President Bush's fault?
Come on....get a grip!!!
For that matter most of the comments on this are just the same old liberal rants except where someone presents some facts THEN they're accused of being Bush loving neocon....
Ah what's the point ??
If you didn't like President Bush hold on to your shorts for the obamanation coming your way folks....
Then it'll be ....
Da bee Da bee We're F'd Folks !!!
Posted by: Al in Chicago | January 15, 2009 3:37 PM
rupert: rich (probably pilfered!) denial!!
Posted by: Dawson | January 15, 2009 3:41 PM
52 consecutive months of growth after 9/11--no attacks on American soil for over seven years--a new democracy and ally in the middle east--over fifty million muslims freed from a muderous brutal dictator--ten million new jobs created with tax cuts--used B.J. Clinton's 1995 special rendition act to extract information from the enemy.
And defended this nation with out taking a poll first!
Obama has some big shoes to fill.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 15, 2009 12:11 PM
George... Laura says to stop playing on the computer and get back to work... There's alot of baggage to pack...
Posted by: Hazel | January 15, 2009 3:52 PM
Don't let the door kick you in the arse!
Posted by: buh bye now | January 15, 2009 4:21 PM
Look, the fact is that Bush and his Administration have set the tone for the kind of Country you see around you today. If you like it, that's your business. It looks like decline to me.
Bush and Cheney have done much to popularize their brand of irresponsibility. This speaks to Mr. Cheney's description of his "underestimation". Plainly, it is an underestimating of the value of approaching reality with sufficient attention to doing the work to understand it clearly and address it honestly.
It was either tune in for tonight's speech or chisel dog poop out of my backyard ice in the zero degree weather. Right now, I'd say the poop has the edge.
Posted by: pokestradamus | January 15, 2009 4:51 PM
I will be so glad for Bush to be done, so that the Democrats can stop blaming him for every little that that goes wrong in this country!!! If they are so powerless under Bush, then they should do the noble thing and resign from their offices. How can they take no blame for what has happened to our economy?!? It was Congress that pushed Fannie and Freddie to make more loans to people that couldn't afford them. ANd when to those that took out loans they couldn't afford accept responsibility? Did someone make them buy more house than they could afford? When they got an adjustable interest rate that started out low, did they think it wouldn't go up?
It's just a constant barage of blame from the Democrats against Bush. Give me a break!
When will people take some personal responsibility? The liberal ranting and raving comments on this website are just sickening. Government should provide things that we as individuals and businesses can't reasonably do by ourselves, like providing military, and court systems, and roads, and police & fire protection. But people need to stop expecting the government to save people from themselves. Face it - sometimes people make poor decisions. If we let them suffer the consequences, maybe they will learn something and make a better decision the next time around.
Do I think Bush did everything right? Absolutely not. But he is certainly not "all powerful" and responsible for as much as people want to blame him for.
Grow up and look in the mirror. If your situation is not what you want - do something about it! And don't say that you can't. That four letter word should be banned from our language. People can do what they set their minds to do. Stop blaming everyone else!
Posted by: Lynn | January 15, 2009 6:48 PM
Hey Lynn...
Your funny....
Posted by: FritoBandito | January 15, 2009 11:08 PM
I'd like to say goodby and congratulations to America's first "Victim in Chief" Not a bad President of bad policy, just a bad President of bad press. All this from his party of personal responsiblilty. I know it's a tough job but someone had to do it. Also their bank accounts didnt suffer at all from it. And it's all probably Jimmy Carter's fault..
Posted by: foolmeonce | January 16, 2009 12:26 AM
NO WAR IN AFGHANISTAN!
CLOSE GITMO NOW NOW NOW
PROSECUTE CHENEY BUSH RICE RUMSFELD WOLFOWITZ FOR TREASON.
REOPEN 9/11 INVESTIGATION--FOR REAL THIS TIME.
Posted by: enrico napolitano | June 1, 2009 2:50 PM