I agree that it was heartfelt, genuine, gracious, and well-intended. My comments were about how the delivery of those comments may be perceived by average Americans. Hopefully I am wrong.
I believe you are! Average Americans like George W. Bush precisely BECAUSE he's not a silver tongued liar like x42, and doesn't always speak in a skillful slick manner. They just like his honesty and character, and don't study every move he makes and every word he utters in a political way.