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Bush Gets Emotional Over White House Transition
November 06, 2008 1:01 PM
ABC News' Jennifer Duck Reports: President Bush became visibly emotional after speaking about the transition of his presidential powers to President-elect Barack Obama and his team.
After a private meeting with his cabinet, President Bush spoke publicly to around 1,000 White House staffers on the South Lawn.
The administration has been touting their transition efforts which have been underway for over a year.
"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," Bush said.
The president and First Lady have invited the Obama family to the White House and announced Thursday he will personally speak with the president-elect next week on issues ranging from financial markets to the war in Iraq.
"I look forward to discussing those issues with the president-elect early next week," Bush said.
"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," he noted, adding, "For the next 75 days, all of us must ensure that the next president and his team can hit the ground running."
Although his party didn't win, President Bush was gracious to President-elect Obama saying it is "an exciting time for our country" and noting voter turnout was one of the highest in history.
"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."
The president took a moment to address the personal issue of White House staffers leaving their posts on Inauguration Day.
"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," Bush told them with a laugh. "But between now and then we must keep our attention on the task at hand, because the American people expect no less."
The president became emotional when wrapping up his speech. Visibly moved, Bush bit his lip and the First Lady gave him a hug.
November 6, 2008 in Obama, Barack, Washington | Permalink | User Comments (423)
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No matter what, he has always had a good heart and is a good man.
Posted by: Megan | Nov 6, 2008 1:08:32 PM
"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," Bush told them with a laugh.
I doubt it.. he has spend almost as much time at his ranch in Crawford as he has in the White House. Only difference now is that he will be a guest if/when he returns to Washington.
I only wish we could do the switch now.. Bush as already put the country in the toilet.. a couple more months and he could wind up pulling the handle and flushing it.
Posted by: Concerned American | Nov 6, 2008 1:12:10 PM
Can anyone give me a hint when I will be expecting to receive the $1000 that President 0bama said that he would give us if we voted for him?
Really appreciate it for any insights. It's getting cold and all that, you know. It would certainly help with the electrical bills.
Posted by: expecting | Nov 6, 2008 1:15:26 PM
Bush will forever be known as "WORST PRESIDENT EVER!!!"
Posted by: Jorge UU Boosh | Nov 6, 2008 1:16:40 PM
Who cares?
Bush, you will always be worthless. You are the worst president of all time. Go away!!
Posted by: Dino | Nov 6, 2008 1:17:01 PM
Megan
lolo hahahahah lolo ahahahahahah lolo hahahahahah You cant be Serious!!!That man is a Muderer and War Criminal hope he rots in hell where he belongs!
Posted by: Angie | Nov 6, 2008 1:18:16 PM
I will clean out my 6x6 tool shed so he can have his own Presidential Library.
Posted by: CW | Nov 6, 2008 1:18:22 PM
-- Can anyone give me a hint when I will be expecting to receive the $1000 that President 0bama said that he would give us if we voted for him? --
Can you cite your reference for that $1000 he said he would give you?
Posted by: Concerned American | Nov 6, 2008 1:19:16 PM
I wish tomorrow were January 20th. Bush has been the biggest failure of a president, if not the greediest, and overtly corrupt.
Posted by: Michael McLeary | Nov 6, 2008 1:21:53 PM
I voted for Bush BEFORE I realized he had become a theocrat. The extreme "Religious Right" has wrecked the Republican Party.
If the GOP has any hope of ever returning to power, they MUST move toward the center and expunge the religious zealots who have transformed the party into something it was never intended to be.
Posted by: Rhys | Nov 6, 2008 1:23:26 PM
Why Obama is bringing his Puppy - Use "President Bush" instead!
What do you think guys?
Posted by: Obama's Puppy | Nov 6, 2008 1:25:22 PM
Can you cite your reference for that $1000 he said he would give you?
Posted by: Concerned American | Nov 6, 2008 1:19:16 PM
===========================
On August 1, 2008:
The first part of Obama’s plan is an emergency energy rebate ($500 to individual workers, $1,000 to families) as soon as this fall.
“This rebate will be enough to offset the increased cost of gas for a working family over the next four months,” Obama said. “Or, if you live in a state where it gets very cold in the winter, it will be enough to cover the entire increase in your heating bills. Or you could use the rebate for any of your other bills or even to pay down debt...
We live in ND.
Posted by: expecting | Nov 6, 2008 1:26:13 PM
"No matter what, he has always had a good heart and is a good man"
Let the white washing begin.
This fool is responsible for some of the worst events ever to befall the American people, hell, the WORLD, we will be paying for his arrogance and stupidity for decades. Call him what he deserves, the poorest excuse for a human being to ever sit in the white house.
Posted by: JR | Nov 6, 2008 1:27:10 PM
i dont n=know much about politics, but all i know that McCain sucked in the elections...
Posted by: ivan alonso | Nov 6, 2008 1:30:35 PM
The Bush administration should help Obama during the transition, even if they are much too busy raiding the US Treasury of the $700 billion dollars.
Posted by: US Citizen | Nov 6, 2008 1:31:17 PM
-- The first part of Obama’s plan is an emergency energy rebate ($500 to individual workers, $1,000 to families) as soon as this fall. --
Ahh yes, the windfall profits tax on the oil companies.. forgot about that. Same thing Palin used in Alaska to boost her popularity and McCain came flat out and said he would not do under any circumstance.
My guess is that you will just have to wait until sometime after January 20th for Congress to work up legislation for it. I guess it's a good thing Obama won, as it was not even a consideration with McCain :)
Posted by: Concerned American | Nov 6, 2008 1:31:34 PM
JIMMY CARTER WAS THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER!!!
Posted by: Diane | Nov 6, 2008 1:32:10 PM
For all you Bush haters out their F%^&^& you!!!! After Bush won his first term as President he could not get into office and pick his cabinet because of Al Gore's claim to to Presidency due to proclaimed voter fraud in FLorida. It stalled him three months. He also had to deal with Billy Boy Clinton's failures as President to deal with Al Queda while in office. Bush then had to deal with 9/11/01. I will say he will go down in history as a great President. He kicked some ass and restored justice to defend the rights of all Americans who lost loved ones on that day. Do not ever forget his contribution, if you do your a worthless American.
Posted by: smitty smith | Nov 6, 2008 1:33:10 PM
Good riddance to that ignorant, thoughtless, mindless,cro-magnon, waste of breath, embarrassment to the U.S. I hate the fact that my money will continue to take care of him for the rest of his life.
Posted by: Independent Fighter | Nov 6, 2008 1:33:38 PM
Bush has had one of the toughest presidency's in a long time. Wait until they get ahold of Obama. I hope they chew him up and spit him out. They are already making excuses for him and now instead of Hope it is the Audacity of Hype.
Posted by: Diane | Nov 6, 2008 1:34:07 PM
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