President Bush had an interview on Charlie Gibson the other night. It was quite candid. I recommend checking out the transcript. Here are some highlights:
On Iraq:
"I think I was unprepared for war. In other words, I didn't campaign and say, 'Please vote for me, I'll be able to handle an attack. In other words, I didn't anticipate war. Presidents — one of the things about the modern presidency is that the unexpected will happen." He also says that the use of incorrect intelligence for warmongering, i.e. that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, is the "biggest regret of all the presidency."
On the economy and government bail out:
"I'm sorry it's happening, of course. Obviously I don't like the idea of people losing jobs, or being worried about their 401(k)s. On the other hand, the American people got to know that we will safeguard the system. I mean, we're in. And if we need to be in more, we will."
On the election:"And I'm sure some people voted for Barack Obama because of me. I think most people voted for Barack Obama because they decided they wanted him to be in their living room for the next four years explaining policy."
On another note, Obama has chosen his foreign policy appointments. I heard an interesting perspective from Jon Pevehouse on the Clinton pick for Sec. of State in class today: There are only two reason for Barack Obama to choose Hillary Clinton. First is that she is the most effective person to put in position to revive this failing department. If anyone can crack skulls, she can. The other is that the best thing a president can do is hire his most powerful rival to head the weakest of the foreign policy making machine. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, and if you can keep them close in an ineffective office, even better. I tend to agree with the less cynical view. Not to say Obama's reasoning is the same a Bush's, but George W. put one of his most trusted and well-respected allies, Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State. And prior to this he put another well-respected person, Colon Powel at its head, a military man to boot. Clearly, despite its long history of failure and ineffectiveness, Bush thought The State Department was worth saving. And Rice has made very interesting and valuable recommendations and changes. Had they been funded, we might have very well seen improvements at State. Perhaps Obama share's in this view of a Department of State with value. And perhaps Hillary is the best person for the job.
