[snugs]

QUOTE OF THE YEAR
Presidential Message for New Year's Day, 2009

New Year's Day is an opportunity to remember the events of the past and look forward with hope to the year ahead.

This New Year is an exciting time for our country, as the peaceful transfer of power is one of the hallmarks of a true democracy. We are preparing to welcome a new President into office, and we celebrate in a spirit of unity: one Nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.

As my time in office comes to a close, I thank the American people for trusting me with the honor of serving our great country. It has been a tremendous privilege, and together we have accomplished a great deal. Among other things, we have advanced the cause of human freedom; we have strengthened our military and our Nation's security; we have empowered parents to demand educational excellence for their children; and we have revolutionized the fight against poverty, corruption, and the scourge of disease around the world.

Earlier this year, I promised that I would sprint to the finish of my time as President. We are working hard to keep that promise. Despite the challenges we face, nothing encourages me more than the character of the American people, whose acts of courage and service sustain our free society and make this the greatest country on Earth.

Laura and I send our best wishes for a happy New Year. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.

GEORGE W. BUSH

FIRST PHOTO OF THE YEAR

President George W. Bush shakes hands with members of the crowd gathered to see his departure from the Texas State Technical College Airport Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 in Waco, Texas. The president spent the week at his nearby Crawford, Texas ranch

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Howdy

[snugs]

January 2009 news and photos for George W Bush - please wait for the all clear before posting any photos or graphics

[freedumb2003]

What a great picture.

I may not have agreed with you always, President Bush, but I admired the way you said what you meant and meant what you said.

God bless you and yours.

[Carley]

Still my president.

[MasonGal]

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you....

...for this thread!!!! Absolutely beautiful!!! I have tears in my eyes.....”Ah - those were the days”

....now look what we’ve got!!! Blech!!!

[defconw]

mark

[Kimmers]

Thank you Snugs......

[SnarlinCubBear]

whoo hoo snugs. I was bummed coming home thinking - no dose :(

And now, this. Thank you all.

[Kitty Mittens]

Snugs, Thank you SO Much for this Beautiful Thread!

[Majie Purple]

Cool! & if this monthly Thread has a ping list please put me on it!

Great pics! As always!
Thanks! As always!

[luvie]

Thank you for this wonderful, special thread, Snugs!

I have missed everyone already, and especially seeing
pictures of our FAVORITE president!

Great Photo of the Day, too!

[Merlinator]

Thanks so much for this thread snugs. It’s truely an island of sanity for us.

[dittomom]

Bless you for posting this. It is the perfect antidote to the news, pundits and late-nite fools who berate this President. Typing with tears in my eyes...

[DollyCali]

Great Job Eleanor & Great idea for monthly thread

Hope dad is doing well!

[baseballmom]

Thanks for this beautiful thread, snugs.

It still seems unbelievable that 8 years have gone by so quickly.

I love the idea of a monthyly thread. Hopefully there will be some good pix. If not, I know you have a treasure trove of pictures that we can enjoy.

Still praying for your Dad, and you. Glad to hear he is home, and on the mend.

[DrDeb]

PRESIDENT BUSH TAKES IN BAYLOR WOMEN’S GAME

WACO, Texas – Former President George W. Bush attended the Baylor women’s basketball game against Oklahoma on Wednesday in one of his first public appearances since returning to his Crawford ranch.

Bush and his wife, Laura, walked onto the court with Baylor coach Kim Mulkey after the former president addressed the team before the game. As soon as Bush and Mulkey emerged from the tunnel, without any introduction, the crowd stood and broke into loud applause.

The Bushes then took their seats in the first row behind the bench.

“This is our first outing since I left the presidency and I can’t think of a better place,” Bush said.

When the Bushes were introduced during the first timeout 4:03 into the game, somebody screamed “We love you, George Bush” and there was another loud ovation. He smiled and waved.

The Baylor campus is about 25 miles from the Bush ranch in Crawford, where the Bushes have been staying since last week when President Barack Obama took office.

When Baylor won the NCAA championship in 2005, Bush called Mulkey to congratulate the team and later hosted the Lady Bears at the White House.

“Most of all, I was excited to say hello to Kim. I got to know her when they won the national championship and came to the Oval Office,” Bush said. “She is a dynamic person. She’s really one of the country’s great coaches.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090129/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkw_bush_basketball_fan_2

VIDEO HERE:
http://www.wacotrib.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/communities/breakingnews/entries/2009/01/28/former_president_bush_at_ferre.html

[DrDeb]

Here is another video of the President’s visit to the Baylor game (AP video — shows second ovation):
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=269003

[AmericanMade1776]

Thank you Snugs, you are the best, and the pictures were too.

[DrDeb]

POLLING UPDATE . . .

OBAMA’S JA RATING IS ALREADY HEADING DOWN!

KEY ‘TAKE AWAYS’ FROM RECENT POLLS:

1.) Obama is now experiencing his highest (media-generated) job approval ratings — he has no where to go but down and down he is going! [Comparatively, after 911, President Bush maintained JA ratings above 70% for over TWO YEARS]

2.) According to the recent USATODAY/Gallup poll, Obama’s DISAPPROVAL rating has DOUBLED in a mere two weeks from 12% disapproval to 25% disapprove — the actual percentage would be higher if Gallup used a REPRESENTATIVE polling sample; however, like the rest of the MSM pollsters, Gallup is currently oversampling Democrats/Democrat-leaning Independents by double digits.

3.) Yesterday, RASMUSSEN put Obama’s JA ratings at 60% approve and 38% disapprove — this rating includes the LOWEST strongly approve and HIGHEST strongly disapprove ratings that Obama has received to date!
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_approval_index

4.) Interestingly, DEMOCRACY CORP (a Democrat polling group) puts Obama’s JA rating at a mere 55% among likely voters (the only group that counts). Yep, even with 95% POSITIVE press coverage, Obama manages a mere 55% JA rating during the honeymoon phase of his presidency!!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_obama_job_approval-1044.html

[Swede Girl]

Love this Sanity Island.