Posted on 12/06/2008 3:31:41 PM PST by daisyscarlett
President George W. Bush playfully kicked a football and presided over the pre-game coin toss on Saturday as he basked in the pageantry of the annual Army-Navy game, one of the sport's most storied rivalries.
The crowd at Lincoln Financial Field let out hearty cheers of "USA, USA" as Bush made his way to midfield for the ceremonial coin toss,…MORE
Earlier in the day, Bush got a look at how history will remember him — at least in one artist's view — as he presided over the unveiling of his portrait at The Union League of Philadelphia.
"Welcome to my hanging," Bush said, drawing laughs from the well-dressed audience in The Union League's ornate hall.
The portrait shows Bush staring straight ahead, looking comfortable but not quite smiling, against the backdrop of the White House's Treaty Room. The sitting took place in March, when artist Mark Carder took hundreds of photographs to capture details, such as Bush's skin color.
The president put his hands on his hips and eyed the painting when it was unveiled, as if to judge whether Carder got it right. "He did a really fine job with a challenging subject," Bush said.
The club was founded in 1862 to support the policies of Abraham Lincoln. Bush received its gold medal for service to the country and thanked members for honoring Lincoln's life and work.
"I have drawn strength from his example," Bush said....
The subjects of the President’s Radio Address today were Defense and Iraq.PRESIDENT'S RADIO ADDRESS
Our First Lady, Laura Bush, participated in a Holiday Mail for Heroes packing event at the American Red Cross headquarters in Washington.
Hi.
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Hi daisy
I’m really gonna miss that guy.
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Hi MamaB
President George W. Bush particpates in the unveiling of The Union League of Philadelphia Presidential Portrait at their club in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
(Chosen for Photo of the Day because it is so nice to see the President smiling. I think he likes his portrait!)
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "Throughout the past eight years, I've seen the tremendous talent and courage of those who wear the uniform. Their efforts have overthrown tyrants, made our Nation safer, put terrorists on the run, and opened the door to liberty for more than 50 million people. And now, thanks to their work in Iraq and the courage of the Iraqi people, a hopeful new era is dawning for their democracy and ours.
Thank you.
Fact sheet In Focus: Defense
Fact sheet In Focus: Iraq
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend I'm attending the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia, and I'm looking forward to a great day of college football. But more importantly, I'm looking forward to spending time with the brave men and women of the United States military.
Throughout the past eight years, I've seen the tremendous talent and courage of those who wear the uniform. Their efforts have overthrown tyrants, made our Nation safer, put terrorists on the run, and opened the door to liberty for more than 50 million people. And now, thanks to their work in Iraq and the courage of the Iraqi people, a hopeful new era is dawning for their democracy and ours.
Earlier this week, Iraq's Presidency Council approved two landmark agreements that will solidify Iraq's democratic gains, affirm its sovereignty, and put its relations with the United States on a strong and steady footing.
The first agreement that America and Iraq have signed is called a Strategic Framework Agreement. This pact sets out a common vision for U.S.-Iraqi relations in the years ahead. Under this agreement, we will work together to bring greater stability to Iraq and the region. We'll promote trade and investment between our nations. And we will support Iraq's leaders and their citizens as they strengthen their democratic institutions.
Only a few years ago, such an agreement was unimaginable. Chaos and violence were consuming Iraq. Terrorists were seizing new ground and using violence to divide the Iraqi people along sectarian lines. And the nation was nearing the point of political collapse and civil war.
Today, violence is down dramatically. Our forces have struck powerful blows against al Qaeda. The Iraqi military is growing in capability, taking the lead in the fight against the extremists, and working across sectarian lines. Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish leaders are sitting together at the same table to peacefully resolve their differences and chart their country's future. And there is hope in the eyes of young Iraqis for the first time in many years.
The second agreement that America and Iraq have signed is a Security Agreement, known as a Status of Forces Agreement. One of the primary purposes of this agreement is to ensure protection for our troops and Defense Department civilians as the Iraqi government begins to exercise greater sovereignty. Our military commanders have assured me that the agreement's provisions meet this purpose. At the same time, it also respects the authority of the Iraqi government. And it lays out a framework for the withdrawal of American forces in Iraq -- a withdrawal that is possible because of the success of the surge.
This withdrawal will take place in two stages: The first stage will occur next year, when Iraqi forces assume the lead for security operations in all major population centers, while U.S. combat forces move out of Iraqi cities and move into an overwatch role. After this transition has occurred, the drawdown of American forces will continue to the second stage, with all U.S. forces returning home from Iraq by the end of 2011.
As we enter this new phase in America's relations with Iraq, we have an opportunity to adopt a new perspective here at home. There were legitimate differences of opinion about the initial decision to remove Saddam Hussein and the subsequent conduct of the war. But now the surge and the courage of brave Iraqis have turned the situation around. And Americans should be able to agree that it is in our Nation's strategic and moral interests to support the free and democratic Iraq that is emerging in the heart of the Middle East.
The American people have sacrificed a great deal to reach this moment. The battle in Iraq has required a large amount of time and a large amount of money. Our men and women in uniform have carried out difficult and dangerous missions and endured long separations from friends and family. And thousands of our finest citizens have given their lives to make our country safer and bring us to this new day. The war in Iraq is not yet over -- but thanks to these agreements and the courage of our men and women in Iraq, it is decisively on its way to being won.
Thank you for listening.
President George W. Bush, leaves the White House for Philadelphia to attend the Army against Navy football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, in Washington.
President George W. Bush departs the White House to attend the Army/Navy college football game December 6, 2008 in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 109th playing of the game.
President George W. Bush waves as he is escorted by Brig. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing, at Andrews Air Force Base, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. President Bush is going to Philadelphia to watch the college football game of Navy versus Army.
President George W. Bush waves from Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. President Bush is going to Philadelphia to watch the college football game of Navy versus Army.
President George W. Bush particpates in the unveiling of The Union League of Philadelphia Presidential Portrait at their club in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
President George W. Bush speaks at the unveiling of his portrait at The Union League of Philadelphia at their club in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush looks at himself with his hands on his hips as he attends the unveiling of The Union League of Philadelphia's Portrait of the President at their headquarters in Philadelphia, December 6, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush looks at himself with his hands on his hips as he attends the unveiling of The Union League of Philadelphia's Portrait of the President at their headquarters in Philadelphia, December 6, 2008. From L-R are: Bruce Hooper, Eileen Hooper, Bush and artist Mark Carder.
Air Force One flies past Lincoln Financial Field before the start of the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania December 6, 2008. President George W. Bush will perform the official coin toss prior to today's annual college football rivalry.
U.S. President George W. Bush (top) joins a group of cheerleaders from the United States Military Academy before the start of the Army versus Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush holds a football presented to him by Army football coach Stan Brock (R) while visiting the Army locker room before the 2008 Army vs Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008. 
U.S. President George W. Bush is escorted onto the field for the coin toss before the 2008 Army vs Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008
U.S. President George W. Bush kicks a football during warm ups before he attends the 2008 Army vs Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008
U.S. President George W. Bush participates in the coin toss before the 2008 Army vs Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008.
We are all going to miss him
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) is joined by Defense Secretary Robert Gates before the start of the Army versus Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008.
President George W. Bush walks into the stands at the start of the Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush (C) walks across the center of the field at half-time next to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (R) during the 2008 Army vs Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008.
President George W. Bush, center, with Vice Admiral Jeffrey Fowler, Superintendent U.S. Naval Academy, second from left, are seen during the second half of the Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. 
President George W. Bush arrives at the White House after attending the Army/Navy college football game December 6, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
U.S. President George W. Bush waves as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House upon his return to Washington December 6, 2008. Bush attended an Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia.
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