Monday
Jan122009
Bush gives final press conference
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 11:40AM
As the January 20th exit date draws closer, George W. Bush gave his final press conference as President and took the opportunity to comment on his legacy, shortcomings, and the work that awaits President elect Barack Obama.
"Through it all, I have respected you," the President told the White House Press Corps, going on to joke that they had sometimes 'misunderestimated' him.
In regard to questions surrounding the remaining $350 billion of TARP funds, Bush explained that he is waiting for President-Elect Obama to ask for the TARP funds before sending the request to Congress.
When asked about the situation in Gaza, the President commented that he would like to see a two state solution and noted that in order for Israel to be successful, they would need a democracy along their border. On the subject of ending the conflict, Bush said that the responsibility lies with the Palestinians and that there can be no peace until Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel.
Bush stated that although there is a debate within the intelligence community, he believes North Korea is still a viable threat and capable of producing enriched Uranium.
The President commented on the future of his party, warning that the temptation may exist for Republicans to isolate themselves by looking inward and applying a litmus test to judge themselves by. Bush felt that the Republican party should try to be more broad minded and compassionate.
He stated that he was not sure why critics have been so harsh towards him and also denied the notion that America's moral standing had been diminished by his Presidency, saying that those allegations have been coming from elites in Western Europe and not from areas like Africa or Asia where U.S. influence matters most.
When questioned about preemptive pardons, the President refused to give a statement.
Bush acknowledged that there have been a number of mistakes and disappointments throughout his presidency, and cited the infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner, prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib, and not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The President also regretted campaigning to alter Social Security so close after the 2004 election, saying that he should have focused on immigration reform instead.
One action that the President did not view as a mistake was the handling of Hurricane Katrina. Bush predicted that had he landed the plane in New Orleans or Baton Rogue, the diversion of police forces for his protection would have caused controversy as well. He also said that he felt it was unfair to call the response time slow, citing the 30,000 New Orleans residents who were rescued by helicopter after the storm hit.
Bush said that after his term, he expected to leave the spotlight, although he admitted that as a 'Type-A' personality, that was unlikely.
One glaring omission from the conference was an attempted question by veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas. Although having her hand raised for the final question, the President did not choose her.
"Through it all, I have respected you," the President told the White House Press Corps, going on to joke that they had sometimes 'misunderestimated' him.
In regard to questions surrounding the remaining $350 billion of TARP funds, Bush explained that he is waiting for President-Elect Obama to ask for the TARP funds before sending the request to Congress.
When asked about the situation in Gaza, the President commented that he would like to see a two state solution and noted that in order for Israel to be successful, they would need a democracy along their border. On the subject of ending the conflict, Bush said that the responsibility lies with the Palestinians and that there can be no peace until Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel.
Bush stated that although there is a debate within the intelligence community, he believes North Korea is still a viable threat and capable of producing enriched Uranium.
The President commented on the future of his party, warning that the temptation may exist for Republicans to isolate themselves by looking inward and applying a litmus test to judge themselves by. Bush felt that the Republican party should try to be more broad minded and compassionate.
He stated that he was not sure why critics have been so harsh towards him and also denied the notion that America's moral standing had been diminished by his Presidency, saying that those allegations have been coming from elites in Western Europe and not from areas like Africa or Asia where U.S. influence matters most.
When questioned about preemptive pardons, the President refused to give a statement.
Bush acknowledged that there have been a number of mistakes and disappointments throughout his presidency, and cited the infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner, prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib, and not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The President also regretted campaigning to alter Social Security so close after the 2004 election, saying that he should have focused on immigration reform instead.
One action that the President did not view as a mistake was the handling of Hurricane Katrina. Bush predicted that had he landed the plane in New Orleans or Baton Rogue, the diversion of police forces for his protection would have caused controversy as well. He also said that he felt it was unfair to call the response time slow, citing the 30,000 New Orleans residents who were rescued by helicopter after the storm hit.
Bush said that after his term, he expected to leave the spotlight, although he admitted that as a 'Type-A' personality, that was unlikely.
One glaring omission from the conference was an attempted question by veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas. Although having her hand raised for the final question, the President did not choose her.
Veteran White House Reporter Helen Thomas Retires Amid Controversy
The video, recorded on a hand-held camera by a Rabbi following a Jewish Heritage event at the White House late May, garnered significant backlash. Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer called for Thomas' employer, the Hearst Corporation, to fire the reporter and current Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called the remarks "offensive and reprehensible."
Thomas issued an apology after the video was released, saying that her remarks do not reflect her “heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance.”
"I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians," Thomas said.
Thomas, who started covering the White House during the final years of the Eisenhower administration, was the longest serving reporter in the press corps and commanded a seat in the center of the briefing room's front row. She will be ninety in August.