Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
First Lady: Bush presidency not a failure
 |
| In the photograph provided by FOX News Sunday, first lady Laura Bush speaks with FOX News Sunday's Chris Wallace during an interview at the FOX studios Dec. 22, in Washington. "I know it's not, and so I don't really feel like I need to respond to people that view it that way," Mrs. Bush said in an interview that aired Sunday, talking about the president's legacy against critics who are calling his administration one of the worst in history. . "I think history will judge and we'll see later." (AP Photo/FOX News Sunday, Freddie Lee) |
'I know it's not, and so I don't really feel like I need to respond to people that view it that way. I think history will judge and will see later.'
Associated Press
'I know it's not, and so I don't really feel like I need to respond to people that view it that way. I think history will judge and will see later.'
WASHINGTON (AP) — First Lady Laura Bush disagrees with critics who call the presidency of George W. Bush as failure.
"I know it's not, and so I don't really feel like I need to respond to people that view it that way," Mrs. Bush said in an interview that aired on Fox News Sunday. "I think history will judge and will see later."
On other issues, Mrs. Bush called the shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad an "assault." She rebuffed Bush administration critics who contend the U.S. turned its military might and resources to the war in Iraq before finishing the job in Afghanistan. She expressed surprise at the first lady’s ability to spotlight an issue, such as the plight of women in Afghanistan — one of her pet concerns. Mrs. Bush also admitted that she’s not a very good cook.
Mrs. Bush noted that under her husband's watch, the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein and liberated millions of people in Afghanistan and Iraq from oppressive governments. She also highlighted the president's work to provide treatment for disease like AIDS and malaria to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. She said her husband responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a way that has kept the nation safe.
"I think that's very, very important," she said.
Mrs. Bush said that while the president laughed it off when an Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at him during a news conference earlier this month in Iraq, she was not amused. The president deftly dodged the shoes and wasn't hit. He continued the news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki after security officials dragged the journalist from the room.
"The president laughed it off," she said. "He wasn't hurt. He's very quick. As you know, he's a natural athlete and ducked it. But on the other hand, it is an assault. And I think it should be treated that way. And I think people should think of it that way."
On the other hand, she said the incident reflects change in Iraq.
"As bad as the incident is, in my view, it is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves," she said.
She challenged critics who contend that Iraq was a distraction the U.S. mission in Afghanistan where heightened violence is causing renewed instability.
"Well, I don't know that I would agree with that at all," Mrs. Bush said. "I don't think that's true at all. We've stayed very, very invested in Afghanistan. Not as invested militarily, maybe, and maybe that’s what the critics say, that it should have been more military. But I think we stayed very invested.
"We're invested both financially with tons of support to Afghanistan, as well as every other way. I’ve met thousands, literally thousands, of different people who are Americans who are invested in Afghanistan in some way. Women who are helping women there, the educated. Women who are helping with microfinance so that women can build small businesses and support themselves."
On other issues, Mrs. Bush said she was sad that the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina wasn't faster, but that debate over the federal response overshadowed heroic efforts during the tragedy of the U.S. Coast Guard and other responders. She said she doesn't think the media, in general, is "fair."
'I know it's not, and so I don't really feel like I need to respond to people that view it that way. I think history will judge and will see later.'
WASHINGTON (AP) — First Lady Laura Bush disagrees with critics who call the presidency of George W. Bush as failure.
"I know it's not, and so I don't really feel like I need to respond to people that view it that way," Mrs. Bush said in an interview that aired on Fox News Sunday. "I think history will judge and will see later."
On other issues, Mrs. Bush called the shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad an "assault." She rebuffed Bush administration critics who contend the U.S. turned its military might and resources to the war in Iraq before finishing the job in Afghanistan. She expressed surprise at the first lady’s ability to spotlight an issue, such as the plight of women in Afghanistan — one of her pet concerns. Mrs. Bush also admitted that she’s not a very good cook.
Mrs. Bush noted that under her husband's watch, the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein and liberated millions of people in Afghanistan and Iraq from oppressive governments. She also highlighted the president's work to provide treatment for disease like AIDS and malaria to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. She said her husband responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a way that has kept the nation safe.
"I think that's very, very important," she said.
Mrs. Bush said that while the president laughed it off when an Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at him during a news conference earlier this month in Iraq, she was not amused. The president deftly dodged the shoes and wasn't hit. He continued the news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki after security officials dragged the journalist from the room.
"The president laughed it off," she said. "He wasn't hurt. He's very quick. As you know, he's a natural athlete and ducked it. But on the other hand, it is an assault. And I think it should be treated that way. And I think people should think of it that way."
On the other hand, she said the incident reflects change in Iraq.
"As bad as the incident is, in my view, it is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves," she said.
She challenged critics who contend that Iraq was a distraction the U.S. mission in Afghanistan where heightened violence is causing renewed instability.
"Well, I don't know that I would agree with that at all," Mrs. Bush said. "I don't think that's true at all. We've stayed very, very invested in Afghanistan. Not as invested militarily, maybe, and maybe that’s what the critics say, that it should have been more military. But I think we stayed very invested.
"We're invested both financially with tons of support to Afghanistan, as well as every other way. I’ve met thousands, literally thousands, of different people who are Americans who are invested in Afghanistan in some way. Women who are helping women there, the educated. Women who are helping with microfinance so that women can build small businesses and support themselves."
On other issues, Mrs. Bush said she was sad that the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina wasn't faster, but that debate over the federal response overshadowed heroic efforts during the tragedy of the U.S. Coast Guard and other responders. She said she doesn't think the media, in general, is "fair."
 |
 |
|
| The Year in Crime | Democrats say list means end of Craddick tenure |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
Marian Feld wrote on Dec 29, 2008 6:05 AM:
" With great courage the First Lady speaks out in defense of her former baseball manager husband.
In his own defense, Yogi Berra once said, "half the lies they tell about me aren't true." "
In his own defense, Yogi Berra once said, "half the lies they tell about me aren't true." "
Kevin wrote on Dec 29, 2008 11:14 AM:
" What else is she going to say...he's her husband and he just bought her a 3.6 million dollar house in Dallas!
Does this mean that Midland will FINALLY take down those silly signs about it being the "Home of George and Laura Bush". God, I hope so. They make me want to barf every time I see one! "
Does this mean that Midland will FINALLY take down those silly signs about it being the "Home of George and Laura Bush". God, I hope so. They make me want to barf every time I see one! "
Levin wrote on Dec 29, 2008 12:01 PM:
" "...he just bought her a 3.6 million dollar house in Dallas!"
Conveniently, this bungalow shares a backyard fence with the $36 million home of his former boss, the owner of the Texas Rangers. One can not find such neighbors in Midland and family history pretty much dictates that they cozy up to someone who has more than they do.
Dallas has many other attractions for the soon to be former president. Dallas is home to the Federal Reserve Bank and, not coincidently, the oldest synagogue in the state of Texas. "
Conveniently, this bungalow shares a backyard fence with the $36 million home of his former boss, the owner of the Texas Rangers. One can not find such neighbors in Midland and family history pretty much dictates that they cozy up to someone who has more than they do.
Dallas has many other attractions for the soon to be former president. Dallas is home to the Federal Reserve Bank and, not coincidently, the oldest synagogue in the state of Texas. "
Bob wrote on Dec 29, 2008 12:02 PM:
" I don't see how anyone could say his Presidency was a failure. First of all given the circumstances of the first term anyone would have had a tough time. Secondly he had a lame congress. Anyways, I think he did the best with what he had. I don't agree with going into Iraq or a few other issues, but overall think he did a good job.
One thing I really liked about him was that he stuck to his guns regardless of how unpopular he was. He made a decision to persue terrorist where they live rather than letting come to where we live. That's going to rub many the wrong way in any event, but I applaud him. "
One thing I really liked about him was that he stuck to his guns regardless of how unpopular he was. He made a decision to persue terrorist where they live rather than letting come to where we live. That's going to rub many the wrong way in any event, but I applaud him. "
Veronica wrote on Dec 29, 2008 12:57 PM:
" Amen Bob! I always felt that if he was such a "bad" president, why was he not impeached? Why did he not have an assassination attempt against him, ever? "
abraham wrote on Dec 29, 2008 1:02 PM:
" Perhap the First Lady believes it was not a failure because her husband did as he was told and survived. That he has chosen to live in the city famous for punishing those who don't behave is the great irony. "
Reppublic of Texas wrote on Dec 29, 2008 5:12 PM:
" W is from Connecticut and they are embarrassed as well.
History has been made and only lies could change the lies this person and cronies have lived. He is the first to have set out to destroy America and he succeeded in that.
This makes three business deals he has been in FAILED. He was such a minor partner in the ball team it did not matter if he had part ownership or not. He lived off daddy after his first failed business in Midland, then off the Texas Tax Payer and now the USA Taxpayer for life. He has become rich from tax welfare. "
History has been made and only lies could change the lies this person and cronies have lived. He is the first to have set out to destroy America and he succeeded in that.
This makes three business deals he has been in FAILED. He was such a minor partner in the ball team it did not matter if he had part ownership or not. He lived off daddy after his first failed business in Midland, then off the Texas Tax Payer and now the USA Taxpayer for life. He has become rich from tax welfare. "
the-eurasianearthlink.net wrote on Dec 29, 2008 6:36 PM:
" When Pres. Bush sent the military to war and massively bomb Iraq with tons and tons of bombs, Pres. Bush was not alone but had the approval of MOST IF NOT PRACTICALLY ALL OF YOU AND PRACTICALLY ALL OF AMERICA!!!!
Now it is practically all BUSH'S FAULT AND NONE OF YOURS!!!
- - - - - -
I went to a Sunday mass one afternoon. It was the very last mass at St. Ann's, 5:30 pm.
At mass, the priest or somebody read the Old Testament Biblical account of the Dispersion of the Jewish Slaves By Cyrus the Great, a man who in my memory , Yahweh calls His LOVING servant who does not know him.
After mass which was about 6:30 pm, I went to my vehicle. As I turned on the ignition, the radio came on and this is what I heard: PRESIDENT SADAM HUSSEIN, RULER OF IRAQ HAS RELEASED ALL OF IRAQ'S PRISONERS!!!
IMMEDIATELY I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF GOD WHO JUST AS HE ENTICED CYRUS THE GREAT TO RELEASED ALL OF HIS THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF JEWISH SLAVES, TODAY, SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF YEARS LATER, VERY SAME DAY WHERE IN ALL 24 TIME ZONES OF THE EARTH, CATHOLIC MASSES WERE READING THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF CYRUS THE GREAT'S RELEASE OF ALL HIS JEWISH SLAVES, SADAM HUSSEIN, PRESIDENT OF IRAQ WHICH IS THE SAME LAND OR PART OF THE LAND OF CYRUS' PERSIA, SADAM HUSSEIN WAS ALSO RELEASING ALL OF HIS COUNTRY'S PRISONERS!!!!
YET, SADDAM HUSSEIN, A DEVOTED MUSLIM, COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT CATHOLIC MASSES ALL OVER THE WORLD, ALL OVER THE 24 TIME ZONES OF THE EARTH WERE READING THE OLD TESTAMENT BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF CYRUS THE GREAT JUST RELEASING ALL OF PERSIA'S (ANCIENT IRAN-IRAQ) JEWISH SLAVES!!! HOW COULD HE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT CATHOLIC READING IN CATHOLIC MASSES WHEN I MYSELF A CATHOLIC DID NOT KNOW THAT THE PRIEST WOULD READ THAT AT THAT SUNDAY MASS??? HOW COULD SADDAM HUSSEIN, A MUSLIM HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT CATHOLIC READING AT MASS WHEN EVEN YOU PROTESTANTS WHO ARE CHRISTIANS DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT CYRUS THE GREAT-DYSPERIA READING IN ALL THE MILLIONS OF CATHOLIC MASSES THAT SUNDAY ALL OVER THE GLOBE????
HOW COULD SADDAM HUSSEIN HAVE KNOWN WHEN EVEN TODAY YEARS LATER, SADDAM HUSSEIN NEVER MENTIONED IT!!! NEITHER DID THE CATHOLIC CHURCH!!! NOPE, THIS TO ME WAS AN ACT OF GOD JUST AS CYRUS THE GREAT'S RELEASE OF ALL HIS JEWISH SLAVES WAS AN ACT OF GOD WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS CARRIED OUT WITH GOD ENTICING CYRUS THE GREAT, A PROCESS WHICH IN CATHOLIC BOOKS IS EXPLAINED AS GOD OPENNING SOME DOORS AND CLOSING OTHER DOORS. "
Now it is practically all BUSH'S FAULT AND NONE OF YOURS!!!
- - - - - -
I went to a Sunday mass one afternoon. It was the very last mass at St. Ann's, 5:30 pm.
At mass, the priest or somebody read the Old Testament Biblical account of the Dispersion of the Jewish Slaves By Cyrus the Great, a man who in my memory , Yahweh calls His LOVING servant who does not know him.
After mass which was about 6:30 pm, I went to my vehicle. As I turned on the ignition, the radio came on and this is what I heard: PRESIDENT SADAM HUSSEIN, RULER OF IRAQ HAS RELEASED ALL OF IRAQ'S PRISONERS!!!
IMMEDIATELY I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF GOD WHO JUST AS HE ENTICED CYRUS THE GREAT TO RELEASED ALL OF HIS THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF JEWISH SLAVES, TODAY, SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF YEARS LATER, VERY SAME DAY WHERE IN ALL 24 TIME ZONES OF THE EARTH, CATHOLIC MASSES WERE READING THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF CYRUS THE GREAT'S RELEASE OF ALL HIS JEWISH SLAVES, SADAM HUSSEIN, PRESIDENT OF IRAQ WHICH IS THE SAME LAND OR PART OF THE LAND OF CYRUS' PERSIA, SADAM HUSSEIN WAS ALSO RELEASING ALL OF HIS COUNTRY'S PRISONERS!!!!
YET, SADDAM HUSSEIN, A DEVOTED MUSLIM, COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT CATHOLIC MASSES ALL OVER THE WORLD, ALL OVER THE 24 TIME ZONES OF THE EARTH WERE READING THE OLD TESTAMENT BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF CYRUS THE GREAT JUST RELEASING ALL OF PERSIA'S (ANCIENT IRAN-IRAQ) JEWISH SLAVES!!! HOW COULD HE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT CATHOLIC READING IN CATHOLIC MASSES WHEN I MYSELF A CATHOLIC DID NOT KNOW THAT THE PRIEST WOULD READ THAT AT THAT SUNDAY MASS??? HOW COULD SADDAM HUSSEIN, A MUSLIM HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT CATHOLIC READING AT MASS WHEN EVEN YOU PROTESTANTS WHO ARE CHRISTIANS DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT CYRUS THE GREAT-DYSPERIA READING IN ALL THE MILLIONS OF CATHOLIC MASSES THAT SUNDAY ALL OVER THE GLOBE????
HOW COULD SADDAM HUSSEIN HAVE KNOWN WHEN EVEN TODAY YEARS LATER, SADDAM HUSSEIN NEVER MENTIONED IT!!! NEITHER DID THE CATHOLIC CHURCH!!! NOPE, THIS TO ME WAS AN ACT OF GOD JUST AS CYRUS THE GREAT'S RELEASE OF ALL HIS JEWISH SLAVES WAS AN ACT OF GOD WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS CARRIED OUT WITH GOD ENTICING CYRUS THE GREAT, A PROCESS WHICH IN CATHOLIC BOOKS IS EXPLAINED AS GOD OPENNING SOME DOORS AND CLOSING OTHER DOORS. "
Kevin wrote on Dec 29, 2008 7:27 PM:
" " When Pres. Bush sent the military to war and massively bomb Iraq with tons and tons of bombs, Pres. Bush was not alone but had the approval of MOST IF NOT PRACTICALLY ALL OF YOU AND PRACTICALLY ALL OF AMERICA!!!!"
I don't think so. "
I don't think so. "
Hmmmmm wrote on Dec 29, 2008 8:52 PM:
" I wish some talking head in DC would man up and say what has needed saying for years..."9/11 changed everything". They pussyfoot around the issue like the plague. Perhaps if 9/11 had never happened President Bush would have accomplished some of the goals he set out to accomplish. Perhaps his legacy would not be tied to Iraq and it could be tied to some much needed social reform. We will never know. I get so sick of hearing morons go on and on about "highest spending...blah blah blah". We are at war at a time when war is the most expensive it has ever been. Is it a well-liked war, of course not. The only people that like war are those who profit from it. In the end, however, I have not visited with a SINGLE (and I have visited with a good number of them) troop back from Iraq that does not understand the mission and believe that they have accomplished something worthwhile.
More than planes were hijacked on 9/11. Our president's agenda was highjacked. Our nation's budget was highjacked.
Did the president accomplish what he set out to accomplish? Not even close. To many, that is failure. However, that is like saying that a person going to HEB to do the weekly grocery shopping is a failure because he or she was hit by a drunk driver and spent months in recovery and jusat didn't make it to the store.
President Bush stuck to his convictions under FAR more stress than any one of us will ever know. Whether I like his choices or not, the man has earned my respect for that alone.
Man, I really would like to know what a 9/11-less Bush presidency would have looked like. "
More than planes were hijacked on 9/11. Our president's agenda was highjacked. Our nation's budget was highjacked.
Did the president accomplish what he set out to accomplish? Not even close. To many, that is failure. However, that is like saying that a person going to HEB to do the weekly grocery shopping is a failure because he or she was hit by a drunk driver and spent months in recovery and jusat didn't make it to the store.
President Bush stuck to his convictions under FAR more stress than any one of us will ever know. Whether I like his choices or not, the man has earned my respect for that alone.
Man, I really would like to know what a 9/11-less Bush presidency would have looked like. "
W.A.S. wrote on Dec 30, 2008 2:01 PM:
" Typical West-Texas wife. Defend your husband til the end.
The only reason West-Texas loves this man so much is because he has made you richer. He has done nothing for the poor, and the rest of the country is suffering because he is an unfit president.
Veronica: Do you know what an impeachment is? And what does an assassination attempt have to do with anything? The pope had multiple assassinations attempts. Does that make HIM a bad leader? Was MLK Jr. a bad leader? Lincoln?
Hopefully, Obama will lead the country in the right direction. I know most of this area hates him, but you have no reason. Get out of the sixties and look to the future. We have a democratic black president - embrace it. I can't believe the smut I have heard ignorant Midlanders say. The worst instance was when a teacher at Crockett actually had the nerve to tell her 3rd grade students that they elected a president who "killed babies and was a terrorist". It scared those kids half to death! "
The only reason West-Texas loves this man so much is because he has made you richer. He has done nothing for the poor, and the rest of the country is suffering because he is an unfit president.
Veronica: Do you know what an impeachment is? And what does an assassination attempt have to do with anything? The pope had multiple assassinations attempts. Does that make HIM a bad leader? Was MLK Jr. a bad leader? Lincoln?
Hopefully, Obama will lead the country in the right direction. I know most of this area hates him, but you have no reason. Get out of the sixties and look to the future. We have a democratic black president - embrace it. I can't believe the smut I have heard ignorant Midlanders say. The worst instance was when a teacher at Crockett actually had the nerve to tell her 3rd grade students that they elected a president who "killed babies and was a terrorist". It scared those kids half to death! "
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, however we reserve the right to delete any post we see that may be considered slanderous, excessive and/or foul language, or any post that we may deem inappropriate.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
News
Sports
Business
Entertain
Life
MARTIN COUNTY wrote on Dec 29, 2008 4:51 AM: