A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos): 12-19-08

WhiteHouse.gov & other sources ^ | 12-19-08

[silent_jonny]

This morning President Bush announced that government loans will be provided to auto companies to help prevent their collapse. The President also reminded the automakers—and their unions—that they got themselves into this mess and if they plan to survive, they must reform now. (Transcript)

President Bush: The terms of the loans will require auto companies to demonstrate how they would become viable. They must pay back all their loans to the government, and show that their firms can earn a profit and achieve a positive net worth. This restructuring will require meaningful concessions from all involved in the auto industry -- management, labor unions, creditors, bondholders, dealers, and suppliers …

The automakers and unions must understand what is at stake, and make hard decisions necessary to reform.

On a more pleasant note, President & Mrs. Bush attended the unveiling of their portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. (Transcript)

Joining the First Couple for the unveiling were Vice President Dick Cheney, Chief Justice John Roberts and members of the White House staff.

Mrs. Bush: With so many familiar faces here today, it gives me the opportunity to thank all of you for your support and friendship over the past eight years. President Bush and I have had such a special privilege of being able to represent the people of the United States. We'll return to Texas with cherished memories of our friends, our staff, and our time at the White House. Thank you for joining us at this moment of reflection and celebration. May God bless you all. (Applause.)

This afternoon, President Bush met with President Mahmud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority in the Oval Office. (Transcript)

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with foreign ministers from the Ukraine and from Mexico today at the State Department in Washington.

Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

[Majie Purple]

I’m not gonna mention that missing a...I repeAt,GRIN, not a mention of my typo!

[Kaslin]

You are welcome

[Kaslin]

Thanks

[Kaslin]

they are awesome. Especially the First Lady’s portrait

[Majie Purple]

I like the walking from the doorway series of pics.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

i just removed a whole bunch of programs that I never use and my computer is running better. then i defragged it.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Great pics. I will sooooo miss this decent, classy and strong couple!

[silent_jonny]

First lady Laura Bush, left, looks over her portrait that was unveiled with the assistance of Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, G. Wayne Clough, right, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush, left, prepares to unveil his portrait with the assistance of Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, G. Wayne Clough, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.

[Kaslin]

Most the time when you reformat your computer it runs faster

[retrokitten]

Hey there! It’s been running alright for me. Is there something running in the background that is maybe slowing it down? Virus scan/update maybe?

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush pose beside their portraits at the unveiling at the National Portrait Galley in Washington, December 19, 2008.

[Majie Purple]

Saved 3 of the portrait pics @ 29!!!

[retrokitten]

I really like President Bush’s portrait. It’s so “him.”

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush get a closer look at his portrait after its unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington December 19, 2008.

[MEG33]

Thank you, jonny..Lovely portraits!

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush stand in front of the portrait of President Bush that was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.

First lady Laura Bush, left, goes to hug artist Robert Anderson of Darien, Conn., center, as President George W. Bush looks on during the unveiling of the Bush portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. Anderson, who was a Yale classmate of President Bush's, painted his portrait.

With artist Robert Anderson of Darien, Conn.

[time4good]

Laura's painting shows her well - beauty, femininity, grace.

GW's shows him well - humility, no pretenses.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush speaks after the unveiling of his official portrait with (L-R) first lady Laura Bush, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Wayne Clough, and Director of the National Portrait Gallery Martin Sullivan at the National Portrait Gallery December 19, 2008 in Washington, DC. The portrait of the president was painted by his Yale classmate Anderson of Connecticut. The informal pose was painted from photographs taken at Camp David in April and September of 2008.

President Bush: It's a tremendous honor to have my portrait added to this gallery's presidential collection. This is one of only two institutions with portraits of every President, starting with our first, George Washington. That means this exhibit now has an interesting symmetry. It starts with George W. -- and ends with George W. (Laughter.) …

A former Washington resident once said: "Whenever you hear about somebody being done in oil in this town, you can't be sure whether that means painting, or boiling." (Laughter.) That was a wise observation from a good and decent man -- one who has offered me a lot of wisdom and advice throughout my life, and I am proud to have my portrait in the same room as President 41, George H. W. Bush. (Applause.)

[tanknetter]

President George W. Bush arrives to make comments on the automaker's industry in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, December 19, 2008.

Those pictures should be a reminder that for at least the next 4 years it'll be FDR's portrait, not TR's, hanging over that fireplace ...