Posted on 11/06/2008 8:21:56 PM PST by snugs
Today the President met with his cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House.
The President also Discusses the Transition with Employees of the Executive Office of the President on the South Lawn of the White House.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Israel.
Pray for President Bush - Day 2976.
Enjoy Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Discusses the Transition with Employees of the Executive Office of the President South Lawn THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Mr. Vice President and Lynne, thank you for being here with us. Laura and I welcome you to the South Lawn -- better known as Barney's playground. (Laughter.)
I want to thank members of my Cabinet who've joined us. We've just finished a Cabinet meeting, and it gave me a chance to tell them how much I appreciate the good work they're doing during this critical time for our nation.
I also appreciate the men and women who make up the Executive Office of the President for joining us today. (Applause.) Some of you have been at the White House for just a few months. Others arrived the same day that we did nearly eight years ago. You're the ones who can tell that my hair has gotten a little grayer. (Laughter.) Others are career employees who have been here for 30, or 40, sometimes 50 years. I can tell that your hair has gotten grayer. (Laughter.)
The people on this lawn represent diverse backgrounds, talents, and experiences. Yet we all share a steadfast devotion to the United States. We believe that service to our fellow citizens is a noble calling -- and the privilege of a lifetime.
This is an exciting time for our country. Earlier this week, more than 120 million people voted for a new President and Congress -- one of the largest turnouts in the history of the country. No matter how we cast our ballots, this election gives us all reason to be proud of our democracy and our country. And I hope you will join Laura and me in congratulating President-Elect Obama, and wishing him the very best for his family and our country. (Applause.)
Just before our inauguration in 2001, Laura and I went back to Midland, Texas -- she was born there and I was raised there. I said that Laura and I would "never quite settle in Washington." I told them: "While the honor is great, the work is temporary." This is true for many of us here today. This peaceful transfer of power is one of the hallmarks of a true democracy. And ensuring that this transition is as smooth as possible is a priority for the rest of my presidency. We face economic challenges that will not pause to let a new President settle in. This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades. We're in a struggle against violent extremists determined to attack us -- and they would like nothing more than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people.
So over the next 75 days, all of us must ensure that the next President and his team can hit the ground running. For more than a year now, departments and agencies throughout the federal government have been preparing for a smooth transition. We've provided intelligence briefings to the President-Elect, and the Department of Justice has approved security clearances for members of his transition staff. In the coming weeks, we will ask administration officials to brief the Obama team on ongoing policy issues, ranging from the financial markets to the war in Iraq. I look forward to discussing those issues with the President-Elect early next week.
Offices within the White House are at work preparing extensive transition materials. We're preparing career employees throughout the administration to take on added responsibilities to help prevent any disruption to the essential functions of the federal government.
Taken together, these measures represent an unprecedented effort to ensure that the executive branch is prepared to fulfill its responsibilities at all times. As we carry out this transition I know that you will continue to conduct yourselves with the decency and professionalism you have shown throughout my time in office.
A successful transition is just one of many important tasks remaining in our last 75 days. To help address the global financial crisis, the Secretary of Treasury is working endless hours, and I will host an international summit here in Washington on November the 15th. This will be a historic meeting -- and I'm confident that you will work hard to help make it a success.
We'll also keep urging Congress to approve America's free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. And we will continue to protect this homeland by defeating the terrorists and extremists abroad, so we do not have to face them here at home. (Applause.)
As January 20th draws near, some of you may be anxious about finding a new job, or a new place to live. I know how you feel. (Laughter.) But between now and then, we must keep our attention on the task at hand -- because the American people expect no less. Earlier this year, I promised that I would sprint to the finish. I am keeping that promise, and I know I have given some of you a good workout along the way. As we head into this final stretch, I ask you to remain focused on the goals ahead. I will be honored to stand with you at the finish line. May God bless you.
END 11:19 A.M. EST
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
President Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, gives an emotional wave to White House staffers after he made remarks on the transition, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington
Vice President Dick Cheney applauds President Bush, after the president made remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington
President George W. Bush holds a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, November 6, 2008. From L-R are: Secretary of Treasury Henry Pauson, Bush, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez
Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson (C) walks out to listen to U.S. President George W. Bush discuss the transition with the incoming Administration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama with staff members, on the South Lawn of the White House, November 6, 2008.
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush are seen leaving the White House before discussing the transition with the incoming Administration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama with staff members on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C. November 6, 2008
President Bush, first lady Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and his wife Lynne, walk from the White House in Washington to the South Lawn, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, where the president made remarks on the transition to administration employees
Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, walk out before President George W. Bush discusses the transition with the incoming Administration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama with staff members, on the South Lawn of the White House, November 6, 2008
President Bush makes remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
Hey Snugs did you hear Barney took bite out of WH press corp reporter NO it wasn’t Helen Thomas if was Barney would need rabies shot
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2008/11/bushs_barney_bites_reuters_rep.html
President Bush, standing with members of his Cabinet, makes remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. From left are, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, obscured, first lady Laura Bush, Transportation Secretary Mark Peters, Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. James Peake, the president, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston, Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, Lynne Cheney, wife of the vice president, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson
Vice President Dick Cheney, center, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, listens as President Bush makes remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington
President Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, gives an emotional wave of appreciation after making remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne are at right.
President George W. Bush (C) looks at first lady, Laura Bush, after discussing the transition with the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama with staff members, on the South Lawn of the White House, November 6, 2008. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is on right.
Vice President Dick Cheney applauds President Bush, after the president made remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
President Bush talks with one of the White House Chefs Tafari Campbell after making remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington
President George W. Bush shakes hands with staff members on the South Lawn of the White House after discussing the transition with the incoming Administration of U.S. President-elect Barak Obama, November 6, 2008
President George W. Bush (L) shakes hands with guests after making remarks on the Presidential transition and thanking employees of the Executive Branch on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. President Bush said Thursday that he and president-elect Barack Obama will focus their first face-to-face talks, set for Monday, on matters like the economic crisis and the Iraq war
Thanks, Snugs, for Sanity Island tonight! It is a must these
days!
We have to savor all these pictures. There won’t be many more
to enjoy! *sigh*
President George W. Bush walks away after discussing the transition with the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama with staff members, on the South Lawn of the White House, November 6, 2008
Reuters reporter Jon Decker shows his bandaged finger after he was bitten by President George W. Bush's dog Barney at the White House in Washington, November 6, 2008. Decker was treated by the White House physician after the Scottish terrier bit Decker when Decker reached to pet him
Snugs Comment "bandaged finger" it was a small bandaid or as us Brits say a plaster using term bandaged suggests Barney took a lump out of him as the word bitten does it was obviously just a nip probably Barney got a bit jumpy with all the people about.
Oh, darn! That first one about made me cry already!
I hate this part!
We could continue this as a weekly or biweekly posting. We could call it The W Watch. I’ve hear that President Bush will be starting a Freedom Institute. I don’t think he will be retiring completely from the public eye. We could all contribute news or photos that we come across. It really saddens me thinking about the Dose ceasing to be completely.
I want to let you know that I have looked forward to “sanity island” every day and been grateful that you were here to post the pictures and provide the comments. I don't know what I'll do when there is no “day in the life of President Bush” to appreciate every day.
I have lurked but not posted, simply because what you have done says it all. I believe there are many of us out here you may not have heard from but who share your commitment to George W. Bush, Laura Bush, the Cheneys, et al. I still support them 1000%. I'm not sure what we'll do without them, but I'm glad they might finally get a well deserved rest from all the responsibility.
Good for Barney!
He has good “taste” as to who to bite! LOL!
With Mrs. Laura Bush, the Vice President and Mrs. Cheney and Cabinet secretaries looking on, President George W. Bush addresses his staff Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House. Said the President, "As we head into this final stretch, I ask you to remain focused on the goals ahead. I will be honored to stand with you at the finish line." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush reaches out to staff members of the Executive Office of the President Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, after speaking to them on the upcoming presidential transition. The President was joined by his Cabinet, Vice President and Mrs. Cheney and Mrs. Laura Bush as he told his staff, "As January 20th draws near, some of you may be anxious about finding a new job, or a new place to live... But between now and then, we must keep our attention on the task at hand -- because the American people expect no less." White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush embraces an employee of the Executive Office of the President Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, after delivering remarks to his staff on the upcoming transition. Said the President, "...Over the next 75 days, all of us must ensure that the next President and his team can hit the ground running.' White House photo by Eric Draper
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