Bush Regrets Katrina Flyover Photo

Former President George W. Bush called the infamous picture that was taken of him in Air Force One as it flew over a devastated New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a “huge mistake.”

In an interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer that will air on Monday night, Bush scolded himself for the allowing the photo to be taken and released to the press.

Bush agreed with Lauer’s assertion that the photo made him look “out of touch.”

“Detached and uncaring,” Bush added. “No question about it.” The two-term Republican, whose memoir entitled, “Decision Points” hits stores next week, took responsibility for the public’s dismal perception of how he handled the disaster, and explained to Lauer what he should have done differently.

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President Takes Swipes At GOP Over Economic Proposals

President Barack Obama spent a good portion of his eighth full press conference in office touting his administration’s efforts to turn the nation’s weak economy around.

Responding to questions from reporters, the president accused his White House predecessor, former President George W. Bush, of creating a years-long recession America has yet to climb out of. Obama said his decision in the past year to cut taxes for middle class Americans and spend billions on domestic programs saved the U.S. from succumbing to a depression.

The president did not mention Bush by name, but argued that the two-term Republican’s poor stewardship of the economy ignited the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs in the months before Obama took office.

“We know where that led,” the president said of Bush’s eight years in office.

Mr. Obama touted his recent proposals to create jobs by spending even more on infrastructure. Though he would not refer to his new plan as a “stimulus” measure, he argued that last year’s Recovery Act has worked, albeit not as well as the administration had hoped. In perhaps a mini-battle over semantics, Obama told CBS’s Chip Reid his new proposal would be aimed at stimulating job growth.

Read more about today’s press conference on Twitter

In his opening remarks before taking questions, the president spoke with a firm voice, leveling blows at Republicans for disagreeing with him on not wanting to renew tax breaks for wealthy Americans, and imploring his political opponents to stop standing in the way of passing a small business jobs bill.

“If the Republican leadership is prepared to get serious about doing something for families that are hurting out there, I would love to talk to them,” he said.

Obama did, however, kindly acknowledge Ohio Senator George Voinovich (R), who earlier in the day said he would urge his GOP colleagues to vote ‘yes’ on the bill when Congress returns to session next week.

Former Secretary Of State Concerned By Key Element Of Obama’s Nuclear Policy

Former Secretary of State James Baker III expressed hesitancy Wednesday over the Obama administration’s pledge to not use nuclear force against countries that have signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, even if they launch a biological or chemical attack against the U.S.

“I question the wisdom of that position,” Baker said during an appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Baker, who served under President George Bush Sr., said his opinion stemmed from an interaction with the Iraqi Foreign Minister on the eve of the Gulf War, wherein Baker cautioned that the U.S. could use nuclear arms if the Iraqis attacked American forces with biological or chemical weapons.

“It is entirely possible, and even likely in my opinion, that Iraq did not use its chemical weapons against our forces because of that warning,” Baker said. “Years later when Saddam Hussein was captured, debriefed and asked why he did not use his chemical weapons, he recalled the substance of my statement.”

The restraint on nuclear force was included in the administration’s Nuclear Posture Review unveiled in April. Iran and North Korea, who have not signed the nonproliferation treaty, are still considered legitimate targets for a nuclear attack.

The former Secretary also posed questions over a number of provisions in the New START Treaty, including whether the program in place to verify compliance was satisfactory and if the treaty will provide a large enough nuclear capacity to protect allies. Baker also argued that the treaty should just focus on the reduction of arms and not seek to limit missile defense.

These concerns aside, Baker characterized the new treaty to limit both countries to 1,500 warheads as “a modest, and appropriate” continuation of the original START treaty that expired last year.

70 Percent Of Republicans Believe Obama Will Be Remembered Among The Worst Presidents, Says New Poll

A comfortable majority of Republicans believe that history will not be kind to President Barack Obama, a new poll conducted by Zogby International shows.

The polling firm found that although 41 percent of Americans believe it is too soon to judge where Obama will stand in the pantheon of U.S. presidents, 70 percent of Republicans are already prepared to assign Obama to the bottom-third of all former Commander in Chiefs.

Conversely, 30 percent of Democrats believe Obama will be remembered among the top-third and 83 percent claim his predecessor George W. Bush will be ranked among the bottom.

The poll, which was conducted January 15-18th with the participation of 1,963 Americans, finds that Abraham Lincoln is ranked as the greatest U.S. president.

Overall totals show that 37 percent of Americans regardless of party believe Obama will be in the bottom third. 49 percent that believe Bush belongs in the bottom third as well.

Pelosi Blames Bush Administration For Current Conditions In Afghanistan

By Leah Valencia - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pointed her finger at the Bush administration Thursday, blaming it for the current conditions in Afghanistan.

“Our troops in Afghanistan are at risk because... the entire Bush administration looked the other way on Afghanistan, there was never a plan,” Pelosi said during her weekly press conference.

The Speaker said that during President Bush's time as Commander in Chief the Taliban gained strength because there was not a policy that indicated to the Afghan government that the U.S. would not tolerate corruption.

“We have missed opportunities over the years and made matters worse...for President Obama,” Pelosi said.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney accused President Barack Obama Wednesday night of being weak in his strategy for Afghanistan, saying that his indecision “hurt our allies and embolden our adversaries.”

"The White House must stop dithering while America's armed forces are in danger," Cheney said while making remarks at a function held by the Center for Security Policy.

Pelosi defended the current President, saying that he should take the appropriate time needed to make sound decisions.

“The President should not make a decision any sooner than he has the right information to do so,” she said. “Matters are so much worse because of the missed opportunities for seven and a half years, it is really tragic.”