Posted on 01/16/2009 6:20:28 PM PST by silent_jonny
More lasts today
This morning President & Mrs. Bush departed the White House for Camp David, Maryland, where they will spend their last weekend as the First Couple before Tuesdays inauguration.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave her final press conference today at the State Department in Washington. She also met with Israels Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Dr. Rices last official act as Secretary of State was signing a memorandum with Foreign Minister Livni that will help prevent arms smuggling to terrorists in Gaza.
And today Press Secretary Dana Perino delivered the Administrations final press briefing (Transcript). Dana took time to pay tribute to her predecessor Tony Snow and to all the members of the White House press staff. But one name was conspicuously absent from her remarks.
Q Dana, you mentioned Ari and Tony, but I don't think I heard you mention Scott. Was that a slight or was that -- was anything deliberate --Dana: No harm meant, I just didn't mention him.
What did you think of his comments [on MSNBC] last night?
Dana: I didn't bother watching them.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
Photos of the Day:
President George W. Bush leaves the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, for his last trip to Camp David, Md. as President.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice waves and bids farewell to a lobby filled with employees after her last scheduled work day at the State Department in Washington, January 16, 2009.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino waves good-bye to a reporters after giving her final daily briefing, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at the White House in Washington.
.
Hi.
The photo of the day is great. We are going to miss him.
How is he doing?
Snugs’ dad? I think he’s at home now.
Fabulous Jonny - I love getting to peek inside their lives. Last day of work - whoo hoo!
(Many thanks to Kaslin for helping me sort through these :)
Vice President Dick Cheney sits next to first lady Laura Bush as they await the final address of President George W. Bush to the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington January 15, 2009.
The presidents daughters Jenna Hager and Barbara Bush and his sister Doro Bush Koch, right, attend President George W. Bush's farewell address to the nation, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
President George W. Bush walks to the podium in the White House East Room for a primetime live television address to the nation in Washington January 15, 2009
President George W. Bush arrives to deliver a nationally-televised farewell address from the White House East Room in Washington, January 15, 2009.
What a moment, right out of Ronald Wilson Reagan. The young upstart President who supposedly cant talk his way out of a cardboard box and has been corralled by Yaaawns machine and the Stone-age press, decides to go past their Filter and talk directly to the American people. Thats when he landed the haymaker and ended the Yaaaawn Global Test & Carrys platform.
What a perfect metaphor for the Stone-age press distorting the truth for all the world to see. Just like last weeks debate where the moderator wanted to become the story and asking anti-Bush question after question. Starting Yaaawn with, would you be a better President? Whats he going to say no? Then Mr. (hate your guts) President, explain your failed Go It Alone War! Here in a Town hall debate, Charlie Glibson helps Yaawn clarify one question and then tries to corner President Bush with Charlies follow-up he had been laying in wait.
The proud Republican looked at the Ratherforged Danosaur holding the Gate with all of his weight, trying to pin the mustang in his coral, spewing those vile flames. The young strapping cowboy sized up the situation and decided if your are going to keep that Gate closed, I will turn my steed through the Internet Gate and talk to the American People directly. He has those rare instincts of a normal person to say, if youre not going to let me get my message out; then I will go talk to my people my way. What a perfect reflection revealing the dying mediaCrats of the Old NY Times and ABDNCBS and Ws way of leading.
And what a message he gave! Not only did he defeat the media, he fileted Yaawn with the skill of a Champion Bass Fisherman. He turned to the people with arm extended and said, Tell Tony Blair, your going it alone, tell Berlusconi, your going it alone, tell the President of Poland Kwasniewski, your going it alone..You Cant Lead a coalition that way! Game, set.....
That was a rhetorical moment for all times.
This debate will go down as one of the Great Debates of this country. President Bush not only defeated and exposed Yaaawn Tax & Carry for the Liberal he is but exposed the press to the American People. He was masterful in his delivery and his answers were complete and from the heart. This President has one of the most complex minds that has occupied that office since Lincoln. I would say Ronald Reagan, but Yaaawn seems to mention RR at least 10 times per debate trying to sound Conservative even though he hated Reagan.
From that moment on, you could see that Kerry was done. Searching for ideas and numerous times stumbling, bumbling, over words. His answers were disjointed syntax and not on topic add to that his turning away from the audience to lecture and dress down The President of The United States on his failed policies, going way over the top.
His worst answer of all, was his answer on abortion. The beautifully angelic young lady asked a question from her terrified heart about the need to end Partial Birth Abortion? Yaawn attempts to answer it by droning he was in Vietna....no wait, that he was a Catholic and an Alter Boy? What does being an alter boy have to do with abortion?? He fished for Dingbats work with Planned Abortionhood and then after W answered it so clearly and compassionately, Yaawn has to have a follow-up?? Why would anyone need to have a follow-up on abortion?? Abortion is not an issue that you debate with your mind but your soul. Either you believe it is a baby and death or you dont.
What a night and what an answer to Prayers. GW showed the country and the world why we Bushbots love him like only one other President, his mentor; who must have that twinkling little eye with that rosy smile, President Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Pray for W and Our Troops
President George W. Bush is applauded during his farewell address to the nation Thursday evening, Jan. 15, 2009, from the East Room of the White House, where President Bush said it has been a privilege to serve the American people. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Good evening and thanks for the ping. The photos of the day are definitely keepers
Love the PotD of Condi waving!
Dad comes home on Monday
Thank you for the Dose tonight Jonny!
I believe Eleanor’s dad is to come home Monday if all goes well
President Bush: Tonight I am filled with gratitude -- to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house -- September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son's police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.
As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.
LOL!
Good luck !
Some poignant farewells they will be missed.
Thanks for the dose - love the way Dana put it about Scott
I think my heart is breaking.
I could say goodbye, let him go off and get a rest for a change, if it were not for that freight train headed our way after he leaves.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.