Bush defends interrogation program in Michigan speech

CNN ^ | May 28,2009 | Peter Hamby

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BENTON HARBOR, Michigan (CNN) -- Former President George W. Bush on Thursday repeated Dick Cheney's assertion that the administration's enhanced interrogation program, which included controversial techniques such as waterboarding, was legal and garnered valuable information that prevented terrorist attacks.

Former President George W. Bush defended his administration in speech Thursday in Michigan.

Bush told a southwestern Michigan audience of nearly 2,500 -- the largest he has addressed in the United States since leaving the White House in January -- that, after the September 11 attacks, "I vowed to take whatever steps that were necessary to protect you."

In his speech, Bush did not specifically refer to the high-profile debate over President Obama's decision to halt the use of harsh interrogation techniques. Bush also didn't mention Cheney, his former vice president, by name.

Instead, he described how he proceeded after the capture of terrorism suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in March 2003.

"The first thing you do is ask what's legal?" Bush said. "What do the lawyers say is possible? I made the decision, within the law, to get information so I can say to myself, 'I've done what it takes to do my duty to protect the American people.' I can tell you that the information we got saved lives."

Bush avoided the sharp tone favored by Cheney in recent weeks and stressed he does not want to disparage Obama.

[Southack]

President Bush is a class act. Well done.

[icwhatudo]

The former president received a noisy standing ovation when answered a question about what he wants his legacy to be.

“Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity,” he said.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

New Tone! Compassionate Conservatism!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[tinamina]

Wow, did anyone know GWB was speaking today ? Or where or why? Saw nothing reported about this in the media until this minute.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

We were very fortunate to have his services...what a contrast with the new guy.

[SpaceBar]

I was as critical of some of President Bush’s policies/decisions as anyone on this forum, but it’s difficult to find fault with Bush the man.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well there was this thread earlier today:

Bush to Break his Silence

[EyeGuy]

” “Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity,” he said.”

#####

Excellent.

Our country is truly off track when the Commander in Chief has to “defend” his excellent performance in his PRIMARY Constitutionally-defined duty: defending the American people.

[roses of sharon]

President Bush was one cool customer during his Presidency, I never saw him lose it....from the very beginning when that SOB Gore conceded, and then took it back.

And the MSM always refused to acknowledge his calm demeanor.

Now they pretend the brat Hussein is cool and calm, lol, when you get nothing but fawning...what is there to be stressed about?

[Jeff Chandler]

Kudos to President Bush for standing up to those who slander him.

[csense]

Thanks for the ping, Ernest.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Related thread:

Picture contrasts Reagan, Bush and Obama (Two Adults and a Child)

[americanophile]

I suspect that this is one president whose legacy of accomplishment will grow over time, but its far too early to make those judgments now. Whatever history writes of him, he adhered to his principles, he kept America safe following 9/11, and he always showed class and dignity.

[woofie]

Both Clinton and Obama are big on the low class... Bush makes all the BDS people look silly

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Many of the Comments at the Link at post #14....are from the Leftists....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Should have said the comments on the photos linked by the FR thread linked at post #14.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another related thread:

And They Said Bush Was Clueless

[what's up]

Bush has spoken several times since he left office. Each time he has received an enthusiastic response.

Bush was classy every day while in office. He hasn't changed. The MSM has done a good job of making him appear other than he is, including distorting his image in conservatives' minds.

The real Bush is going to win out. He will be seen for who he really is in time.

[fabrizio]

I concur 110%

20 years from now he’ll be remembered and missed even more than Reagan. Much of hs presidency was a Reagan dejavu.

He sat in the WH in ever harder times than the Gipper, had to fight actual wars, was depicted as a stupid cowboy and was hated by the media just like Reagan. He was despised, stabbed in the back and left alone by RINO’s and self-appointed “true” conservatives just like Reagan. Ridiculized for 8 years while he was saving everybody’s butt and protecting the West, the unborn, and restoring some decency in the WH, just like Reagan.

20 years from now we’ll all be sorry for not having honored him as he deserved when he was in office. He is already missed. He’ll be missed more with each passing day.

I didn’t always agree with his policies, but I never doubted we were all very lucy to have this great man in office at the right time.

God bless you Dubya, God bless America.

[IrishMike]

Thanks - Link sent to Drudge

[Venturer]

My apologies to him. I didnt think he would mention it.

President Bush made a lot of mistakes , but he was man enough to take the blame for them himself.

Th man we have now blames everyone BUT himself.

I guess thats the difference between an American President and a Kenyan playing President.

[jveritas]

Amen my FRiends.

[meandog]

Rrright...and he stayed true to form in saying much of nothing according to the AP report on the speech click here . The last paragraph of the posted story about his wanting to "avoid the harsh" tone of the more courageous Cheney says it all!

[meandog]

President Bush is a class act. Well done.

LOL!

"Nothing I am saying is meant to criticize my successor," Bush said. "There are plenty of people who have weighed in. Trust me, having seen it first-hand. I didn't like it when a former president criticized me, so therefore I am not going to criticize my successor. I wish him all the best."

SNIP

He repeated his disclaimer about not passing judgment on Obama later when asked about North Korea's nuclear test. Before answering, the 43rd president said he is "in no way trying to shape my successor's decisions or criticize them."

[Marine_Uncle]

We can bash him on big government spending. But it is hard for any POTUS in todays world to avoid. As for his honor and dedication to keeping this nation safe and going after rotten bastards that hate life by principle, he did more good then any other president. He stayed the course and did not sell his soul for political gain.
I continue to tell the kids I work with that he was the first POTUS to have the balls to bring up the dire issue of Social Security, and make it clear we had a very bad problem at our doorsteps and the Federal Government had better start to address it. He went after the world of Islamic terrorist.
The irony is as we remember. He came into office with the premise of smaller more efficient government and no nation building in mind.
UBL and his goon squads did alter his priorities. I am glad he was at the watch during those years. We now have Islamic nations willing to kill Islamic terrorist. It would not have happened under a democratic POTUS, that is for sure.