Bush's 'ultimate exit interview'

[0:02]" President I'm being. There's been -- campus best legal circles about whether or not might get preemptive pardons park and your administration. Google it and -- anything brown. Harsh interrogation tactics to. Perhaps dismissing US attorneys and I don't know have you given any consideration. To this. How our leaders."

[0:26]" Last I won't be discussing partnership this press coverage for you like to ask another question I think."

[4:51]" The major."

[4:54]" Objectives that he can from the administration has talked frequently. Restoring America's moral standing in the world and maybe allies of the new president of the Newton president elect himself talked about how damaged. Gitmo. That. Harsh interrogation tactics that they consider torture. Going to war rock UN mandate have damaged him. America's moral standing in the world I'm wondering basically what is your reaction to that you think that is something that America than Africa --"

[5:28]" strongly disagree. With the assessment that are moral standing has been damage may be damaged amongst some in the elite. But people still understand America stands for freedom. That America. Is. Is a country that provides such great hope you go to Africa. US Africans about American generosity and compassion. Go to India. And -- combat you know America is their view of America. Go to China and their staff and no question parts of Europe. Have said that we shouldn't have gone to war in Iraq without a mandate but those are few countries most countries in Europe. Listen to what 1441 said which is disclose disarm or face serious consequences. Most people take those words. Seriously. Some countries didn't. And eight even though they might have. Voted for the resolution. I disagree with this assessment that you know. People. View America in a dim light I just don't agree with that and I understand it did get most creating controversies. But when it came time for those countries that were criticizing America to take some of those some of the detainees they weren't willing to help out. And so. You know and just disagree with the assessment might I remind bush. I tell people if you can try to be popular. -- certain quarters. In European can be popular by blaming every Middle -- your problem on Israel."

[7:08]" Or you could be popular by joining the international criminal court."

[7:13]" I -- given popular by accepting Kyoto. Which I felt was a flawed treaty and propose something different and more constructive. And and in terms of the decisions that I had made to protect the homeland. I wouldn't worry about popularity. What I would worry about is the constitution of the United States. And putting plans in place that makes it easier to find out what the enemy is thinking. -- debates will matter or not if there's another attack on the homeland -- question won't be. You know. Were you critical of this planet not to question -- why did you do something. You remember what it was like right after September the eleventh around here. And press conferences and opinion pieces and and stories. Sometimes -- news stories and sometimes opinion pieces. Divorce and how come they didn't see how come they didn't connect the dots. You know what the environment was like in Washington I do. When people were hauled up in front of congress. And members of congress were asking questions about how come you didn't know this letter the other and then we start putting. You know policy in place legal policy in place. To connect the dots and all of a sudden people were saying how come you're connected the dots. And so mark you know I have covered all. -- pearl in my view is is that most people around the world they respect America. It's a London like me understand this and the writers in their you know planners know that that's fine as far as the deal. But I'm more concerned about the country. And and M and are what have people view the United States of America they view this is strong compassionate. People who cared deeply about the universality of freedom. Roger."

[9:12]" Thank -- and useful for a moment the polls are using. Money for our program. The first 350 billion out the door and fan are you satisfied that has been spent wisely. And for the second pretty under consideration they are you supportive. Congress -- subscriptions --"

[9:34]" Brian supportive of the president elect working on a plane with congress that best suits him. And congress actually is going to have to do is going to have to go up there and he's going to have to make his case as to why the 350 is necessary and he knows that this is nothing new. And in terms of the first 350. I am pleased this aspect. Of the expenditure and that is that the financial markets are beginning to thaw. And the fall I was concerned. That the credit freeze. Which cause us to be and headed toward a depression greater than the Great Depression that's what I was told if we didn't move for and so therefore we have moved. You know aggressively. And men and by the way just wasn't with the tarp. You know I think about AIG Fannie and Freddie. A lot of the decisions that -- were made this administration are very aggressive decisions all aiming at preventing the financial system from. From crater in."

[10:37]" The moments responsibility office would -- Barack Obama. So far different place than it was when it debuted in. When you think he's going to feel the full impact and what if anything have you any other president shared with him about. Beauty sometimes isolation so called bubble yeah."

[10:57]" That's -- question. He'll. He will feel the effects -- walks in the Oval Office. These that's when -- left -- when he may feel that communities. His sworn in and then. And I got sworn in a sort of thing about the speech. And so. But he had better speech mr. than me so you bailed them immediately. Fall in -- you feel terribly a moment when he feels. I have never felt isolated and don't think he will. One reason he won't feel isolated she's got a fabulous family. And he cares a lot about his family it's evident from my discussions with him. QBs a 452 commute away from a great wife and two little girls in love him dearly. I believe this -- phrase burdens of the offices overstated. Yes. Why -- thief. The burdens. Why did the financial collapse have to happen on my watch just pathetic is it self pity. And I and I don't believe. The president elect Obama obese fullest self pity. He will find it. Yeah I hear that the people who don't like -- they're the critics are they're pretty predictable. Sometimes be disappoint disappointments will come from your so called friends. And there will be disappointments can promise you -- disappointed. On the other hand the job is so exciting. And so profound. That. The the disappointments -- will be clearly. You know. A minor irritant compared to six -- opposite the world now not for me we had -- people. We've we've I had a fabulous team around me highly dedicated smart capable people and we have fun. I tell people they know Sundays at peace and there's not so happy every -- has been joyous. And people because -- just don't believe it to be the case -- it is -- case. Even in the darkest moments of Iraq you know there was and and -- every day when everything reports about soldiers are losing their lives. And in no question there was a lot of emotion but but I also there was times where we can be lighthearted. And supporting each other. And you know I've built a team of really capable people. -- where they're not to serve me. Are there to serve the Republicans. They were there to serve the country. And and president elect Obama will find. You know as he makes these draft calls and tough decisions. That he'll be supported by a lot of really good people that care. Care about the country as well John. You."

[13:57]" Your concerns over the rise of protectionism in the current. Economic environment. What do you think -- future holds for you think the trend and get America."

[14:26]" There was a disappointment. Actually felt we had a shot at one time and then I was disappointed. That they didn't move house and I am concerned about protectionism. In and in tough economic times. That temptation. Is -- Is to say well let's just throw Rutgers. Can protect our own. And not compete. That was a sentiment by the way that was in place during decent economic times. After all we got capped congress by one vote. And it would be a huge mistake if -- become a protectionist nation. And it made it might be a good thing for. If bush entered into this -- is to remind people about the benefits of free and fair trade benefits for our own workers benefits for workers overseas. And benefits. I want it comes to promoting development. And helping lift people out of poverty and particularly Third World countries the best way. To enhance. Economic growth in the Third World country. And give people a chance to realize. You know a better futures to trade it's been proven it's it's a fact and I'm hopeful that. I'm hopeful the country doesn't slip into protectionist policy April. Yes ma'am thank."

[15:59]" He essentially -- their shoes."

[16:03]" Not once but don't hold their problem for me I thought that there and get away thanks for the fact -- the fact -- wonderful. You are basically talked about moment ago about fallout from them but let's talk about what you could -- him. To change the situation. Royalties city who is to be further along reconstruction. We're live now and also. You. We'll begin to run would be Obama is about nine years. The James Byrd threatened and it was relatively. Point your campaign. And now but this time does not -- first black president could tell us -- casinos. -- and -- and share."

[16:44]" Thanks first of all we did get the 121 billion more or less dollars -- and there is now being spent secondly the school system is improving dramatically thirdly people are beginning to move back into homes this storm was a devastating storm April. That required a lot of energy a lot of focus and a lot of resource is to get New Orleans up and running. And as a reconstruction in perfect no -- things happen fairly quickly absolutely. And his or more to be done you -- serious. And well -- more people need to get their houses."

[17:18]" More people -- you know. Have their own home there. But what -- Systems are in place. To. Continue to reconstruction launch. You know people -- of the federal response was slow. Don't tell me the federal response was slow when there -- 30000 people pulled off -- right after the storm passed. You know I am ever going to -- Helicopter drivers. Coast -- drivers. To thank them for their. Courageous efforts to rescue people operatives 30000 people won't pull off -- right after the storm moved through. It's a pretty quick response. Good things have been done better absolutely. Absolutely but I hear people say the federal response was slow. Then what are they going to say to -- sharper drivers or the 30000 got pulled off the ropes. The other particle I was affected by the TV after a after the elections. When I saw people saying. I never thought -- received today. That a black person be elected president. And a lot of people had tears streaming down their cheeks. When they said. And and so I am. I am consider myself fortunate. To have a front row seat. On what is going to be an historic moment for the country. President elect Obama's election. Does speak volumes about how for this country has come when it comes to racial relations. But there's still -- it's always going to be work to do to deal with peoples arts. And so I'm I'm I'm looking forward to it really am I think it's going to be. It's going to be an amazing. Amazing moment."

[19:25]" Michael. Albania Michael Allen the president will -- you. Fred and often presents -- leave here. Senator -- and then -- the right back in office over the publicly he figured he'd be back at it whether to write your book. -- speaking with -- traveling was over. -- I don't know."

[19:46]" Probably next day and -- a personality. Just."

[19:53]" I just can't envision myself."

[19:56]" You know the big straw -- Hawaiian shirt signal something. So cash it. Declarations or quit drinking anyway. So I predict to you do -- first I'm not sure what to expect. For the last eight years. You know I had aid for national security briefing. Every day but Sunday. And when you get a national security briefing. It is a reminder of the responsibilities of the job is just a daily reminder. Event. -- what may or may not happen. The issue thing about this job by the way is. It is -- it won't wanting to deal with the expected. You know. That you anticipate that the real challenges to be in position with the unexpected and that's why those until briefings are so important. Because. There is. There's an awareness in the briefings from many analysts. Two. Try to help anticipate. Problems and of course you hope they don't rise but he better be prepared when they do and that in itself creates -- gets your attention. When you start thinking about what could happen. And the -- course is set. To take. These you know these different. Analyses seriously and then. Have a structure so that your team. We'll be in the position to analyze. And -- laugh potential. Opportunity avenues for the president from which -- president can choose. I say all that because that's that's that's doesn't -- that this. Notion about being -- thinking about this issue here that issue had been. Just you know part of my life for eight years people say well they are cropper on vacation. It never escape the presidency travels with you everywhere you go."

[21:59]" And there's not a moment where you don't. Think about Payne president."

[22:05]" And -- right men's faces are as you possibly can trying to forget for the moment. And -- wake up in Crawford. Tuesday morning coming Wednesday morning. And I suspect -- make floor coughing and you know go -- for. And it's going to be a different feeling anxious got to -- write a report back after a -- Last question have you been there from day one."

[22:32]" Thank you I want to ask you about anyone who arrived here wanting to be. I uniter. Not a divider do you think Barack Obama can be a uniter not a divider or is with the challenges for any president that they have popular decision. Is it impossible for any president to be a uniter not enough."

[22:51]" I hope the tone is different for him there has been for me. I am disappointed by the tone in Washington DC. Aren't. I try to do my part. By not engaging in the name calling. And at -- needless name calling. I have. Work to be respectful of my opponents. On different issues. There will be different some good common ground writing issues No Child Left Behind Medicare prescription drugs have far. In the end the funding for troops in Iraq. We tax cuts to a certain extent and get some bipartisan votes on them. -- there had been areas where we were able to work together is just a rhetoric got out of control. Attempt at a -- you need to ask those who. Those who. Used the words they used. Anderson is not the first time it's ever happened. -- gains should go to gym -- it's it's it's happened throughout our history and I would hope that. That frankly for the sake of that the system itself. That if people disagree with the president elect Obama they treat him with respect. If I -- worried about. People look in ENERSIS and say wow what -- want to go up there and you know working that kind of environment. And so I wish him all the best and -- and I no question that we. He'll be there will be critics. And there should be we've we've cautioned welcome criticism on different -- is a great thing about our democracy people have a chance to express themselves. I just hope the tone is respectful. He deserves it and so it is a country it has been a honored to work with you meant what I said when I first got up here. I wish you all the very best wish you your family so the best -- bush."