Posted on 02/26/2010 10:06:59 AM PST by STARWISE
For the first time, former President George W. Bush has said publicly that he approves of former Vice President Dick Cheney’s high-profile role in defending the past administration’s national security policies.
“I’m glad Cheney is out there,” Bush said Friday morning at a reunion breakfast that was the inaugural event for the Bush-Cheney Alumni Association.
The reception, held at a downtown Washington hotel, was closed to the press. Attendees supplied this account of the remarks.
Cheney originally had been scheduled to appear with Bush but did not come because he is recovering from a heart scare. Bush visited his former vice president in McLean on Thursday and said Cheney “is feeling well” and has “a fierce constitution.”
The former president started with a funny patter that several attendees related to stand-up. In announcing his book, he joshed: “This is going to come as quite a shock to people up here that I can write a book, much less read one.”
Turning serious, Bush said: “I don't want to be involved in politics, but I do in policy.” He talked about his own record, saying of his signature education reform: “No Child Left Behind was the most advanced civil rights legislation since the Voting Rights Act.”
Giving advice, he urged humility. “Don’t swagger.
Sometimes I got carried away rallying the country," he said. "I think the swagger criticism was fair. A lot of others weren't. I hope I conveyed a sense that I was a lowly sinner who found redemption. I'm not better than anyone else. What makes me different from others is that I realized I needed help.”
“I’m religious — I confess,” he continued. “One of the challenges in life is: Maintaining religious piety is harder when the pressure is off than when it is on. But now there is still a dependency in a greater grace.”
Bush made it clear he plans to continue to keep a low profile: “I have no desire to see myself on television. I don't want to be a panel of formers instructing the currents on what to do. I'm trying to regain a sense of anonymity. I didn't like it when a certain former president — and it wasn't 41 or 42 — made my life miserable.”
btw, this is a common Christian experience with which most of us can identify.
He was a “compassionate conservative” as opposed to a real conservative.
I wish I could take back my votes for him.
so do i! and i love that i'm not alone...
and to whom would you give them?
WE LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jimmy Carter = Jerk
Someone with an IQ, for starters. lol
We got two of the best conservative SC justices, as well as federal judges, we had the most powerful pro-life President we've ever had, an unwavering tax cutting policy, and importantly, a strong national defense position that kept us safe for 7 1/2 years after 9/11.
He loves America, and he was the President we needed.
Actually , Dick Cheney would have been a more principled, intelligent President than G.W. Bush.
So a Harvard MBA isn’t good enough for you?
Dick Cheney would disagree with you on that.
That’s a good question. I doubt you’ll get an answer.
AlanD is an obvious TROLL
Leftist troll who just signed on to FR to pose as a "conservative" who hates Bush.
(Too bad he exposed himself by using the media line that Bush was stupid).
Bad move. Leftists aren't too bright, are they? :)
All the NeoCons, and especially Cheney, resent that Bush abandoned Scooter Libby to die on the political battlefield.
Yup. I'm suprised at how many people claim they were hoodwinked, without realizing that they are admitting that didn't follow the news very closely.
I used to think that way but after watching the current administration develope ‘quick responses’, I realize how ugly it makes one look.
Kinda like ‘I’m rubber and you’re glue’
Everyone who says, "I was decieved" by Bush is wearing a great big sign on his forehead saying "I'm stupid."
Not really bright at all. Maybe AlanD took the short bus from DU to FR. hehe
Boo hooo ....
I’m sure your one vote did it.
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