Bush Bids Nation Farewell in Thursday Address

January 12, 2009 5:12 PM

ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports: President Bush will formally say goodbye to the nation on Thursday evening from the East Room of the White House.

"He will reflect on his time in office and the ways our country has changed these past eight years," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters. "He will also uphold the tradition of presidents using farewell addresses to look forward – by sharing his thoughts on greatest challenges facing the country, and on what it will take to meet them."

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan also bid their farewells in White House speeches but other former presidents like Carter and Ford have gone to Capitol Hill to deliver a final State of the Union Address. 

As ABC's Senior Political Reporter Rick Klein has previously Noted, President George H. W. Bush opted against a formal farewell -- aides said at the time that it was “just one of those things that didn't get done.” 

The 43rd president will be speaking to a live audience, including "courageous people" he has met with during his eight years in office.

"This is not going to be a swan song to the president's administration, although he will defend his record," Perino explained.  "It'll be very gracious to president-elect. The president is not going to refight old battles. This speech will be a very thoughtful, forward-looking speech that shares lessons he learned in office and outlines his views of the future."

According to the White House, the address will be the last scheduled public event for President Bush before President-elect Obama arrives at the White House on Inauguration Day.