by Mark Silva
There will be an oral history of the Bush administration.
It will be carried out by the scholars in Virginia who conducted oral histories of the Clinton and Carter administrations and the Reagan and earlier Bush administration.
Former President George W. Bush, who is building his own presidential library, museum and think tank in Dallas, has picked the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia to conduct a comprehensive oral history of his presidency.
"This oral history project will offer future generations a comprehensive look at what it was like to lead the country during some extraordinary challenges,'' Bush said.
Scholars conducting the George W. Bush Oral History Project will interview the key figures of the Bush White House and Cabinet, as well as political advisers, members of Congress and foreign leaders - 100 interviews planned over five years.
It's a continuation of the work the center started in 1981 with interviews of people surrounding the Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations.
Prof. Russell Riley, chairman of the Miller Center's Presidential Oral History Program, encourages people to "speak candidly to history about what they saw and experienced during the White House years, so that future generations will come to understand each presidency as it actually was."
"The 43rd presidency was, by any standard, among the most consequential of all in American history,'' Riley said. "We intend to hear directly from those who led the country during an exceptional time, to find out what the Bush presidency looked like from the inside--including both its successes and failures.''
The Miller Center's work is unique. The interviews are conducted by a panel and can last for a day.
:"Oral histories are an especially valuable complement to the paper and electronic records of the modern presidency, because much of the most important work of every White House is conducted orally," Riley says.
Comments
Does anyone even care about this? Cheney will probably shut it down regardless...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | November 12, 2009 12:37 PM
I thought Ken Starr published Clinton's "oral history"
Posted by: Dw | November 12, 2009 12:44 PM
Bush should write?
Besides, he left no paper trail.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | November 12, 2009 1:35 PM
Bu$h's history as president can be easily summarized with few words: the destruction of America, it's treasury and the republican party. Lets not forget his grand exit back to Crawford, Texas the day after the election of Obama; Bu$h couldn't get outta Dodge fast e'nuf.
If any thinking person wonders how we got into the mess we're all in, except the wealthy and influential investment bankers of course, one need only to look at how he helped his friends pillage, start wars and pass special legislation designed to make big oil wealthy and enslave the citizens.
That is Bush's legacy and we are all paying a big price for it.
Posted by: writerofwrongs | November 12, 2009 2:52 PM
Bush oral history = one word
F A I L
.
Posted by: former Republican | November 12, 2009 2:56 PM
Will there be a section called ''Nuculer'' as well? Can't wait.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | November 12, 2009 2:58 PM
Bush Oral History:
- Tax cuts for billionaires, big corporations and big oil.
- Deregulated Wall Street runs like a casino
- Two wars, one (Iraq) based on lies
- Pay offs to cronies in the Military Industrial Complex i.e. Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater etc.
- Torture
- War Crimes
- Treason (outed of a CIA agent)
Posted by: Heckuva Job | November 12, 2009 3:06 PM
But does anyone think the truth will be told?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | November 12, 2009 5:23 PM
In Bush's case, I should have thought the history would have come out the other end.
Posted by: ornery | November 12, 2009 8:11 PM
When they build ther little memorial to BO in the future, I hope they have a geography section:
BO claimed that Kansas tornadoes killed a whopping 10,000 people
BO on the number of states - "Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go.”
Last week, in front of a roaring Sioux Falls, South Dakota audience, Obama exulted: “Thank you Sioux City…I said it wrong. I’ve been in Iowa for too long. I’m sorry.”
Posted by: Terry | November 13, 2009 10:38 PM
Terry, ole gal, you're onto something there.
Call Letterman's writers.
We could have a revival of "Great Moments in Presidential Speechs".....
In all Obama's addresses so far, have you found more then 3 slips of the tongue?
Anyway, the history of Bush has to be oral, because, in case you didn't pick up on it, the guy was totally dyslexic and a functional illiterate.
You won't ever find any handwritten diaries such as Ronnie Reagan kept.
Or any handwritten letters such as Lincoln wrote....
You might find some stale pretzels.
Posted by: ornery | November 14, 2009 8:29 AM
"It's like — it was like Special Olympics, or something." — Barack Obama, responding to a question from Jay Leno on NBC's Tonight Show about his shoddy bowling game.
What I was suggesting — you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith..." — Obama on ABC's This Week.
I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." — Obama, defending his tax plan to Ohio resident Samuel Wurzelbacher
The last one might not be an actual slip, but his true beliefs.
It's what happen when he's away from the teleprompter.
Posted by: Terry | November 14, 2009 3:37 PM
You forgot the quotes around "muslim faith".
You still don't have anything to revive "Great Moments in Presidential Speechs".
The reason Bush provided daily copy for "Great Moments in Presidential Speechs" was that he couldn't even read from a TelepromTer.
Posted by: ornery | November 15, 2009 9:35 AM
It's what happen when he's away from the teleprompter.
Posted by: Terry | November 14, 2009 3:37 PM
Terry old gal you've got to be kidding right? Bush was the biggest bumbleing idiot to ever try ans speak:
1) An America needs a military where our breasts and brightest are proud to serve
2) If you're a single mother with two children and you're working hard to put food on your family...
3) Rarely is the question asked, our is our children learning....
4) and so in my state of the, my state of the union, our state, my speech to the nation, whatever you wanna call it, my speech to the nation.
5) I know that human being and fish can coexixt peacefully.
6) Too many OBGYN's arnt able to practice their er love with woman all across the country.
7) There,s an old saying in Tennessee, fool me once, shame on....shame on you..it fooled me ya cant get fooled again.
PAHLEASE give it up! Bush holds the world record of speech blunders!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | November 16, 2009 9:11 AM