President Bush's Farewell Speech

President Bush's goodbye address to the nation was less than 15 minutes long.

I can just imagine how his critics reacted to the speech. I'm sure they mocked him and cheered his departure, "Good riddance," that sort of thing.

The personal ridicule that President Bush has endured during his time in office has been so extreme that it's hard to comprehend.

Mainstream media accounts of his farewell speech tonight have been tinged with bitterness. They're getting in their final jabs, just a few more low blows.

No surprise there.

From Deb Riechmann, AP writer:

Bush defends 2 tumultuous terms in farewell speech

Unpopular but unbowed, President George W. Bush defended his tumultuous two terms in a farewell address to the nation Thursday night, claiming a hard-won record of achievement. Reaching back to the Sept. 11 attacks, when the public rallied behind him, Bush declared the United States will "never tire, never falter and never fail."

Leaving office with the highest disapproval rating since Richard Nixon, Bush said, "You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made, but I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."

A bookend to eight years indelibly marked by terrorism, two wars and recessions, the 13-minute speech was Bush's last opportunity before he leaves office Tuesday to defend his presidency and craft a first draft of his legacy for historians. He spoke from the East Room of the White House with just 112 hours left in office.

Good Lord, the libs are counting the hours. 112? I think at this point it's more appropriate to speak in terms of days.

His next scheduled public appearance will be greeting President-elect Barack Obama on Inauguration Day at the White House's North Portico.

Seemingly upbeat and confident, Bush called the inauguration of Obama, the first black president, a "moment of hope and pride" for America.

"Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land," he said.

Defiant until the end, the nation's 43rd president claimed foreign policy successes in Iraq and Afghanistan while crediting his administration with improving public schools, creating a new Medicare prescription drug benefit and finding more money for veterans. With the United States facing the worst financial crisis in generations, Bush said his White House took "decisive measures" to safeguard the economy.

The bottom line, Bush said, is there have been "good days and tough days" during his term.

On that, even his critics would agree.

"SEEMINGLY upbeat and confident" -- I am so sick of the spin from the libs in the media.

"Defiant until the end" -- I didn't sense defiance at all. That's not what I heard.

I think Bush laid out his accomplishments and his challenges in office with balance. I don't think he sugarcoated his presidency.

The burden of the office was on his shoulders at one of the most trying times in our nation's history. He acknowledged that his decisions weren't always met with approval, but he didn't flinch. I don't consider that a sign of defiance. I consider it a sign of resolve and principle.

...Bush said he leaves with a "thankful heart." He expressed gratitude to his family. "Above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me," Bush said.

That trust has eroded over the years. His approval rating soared to 90 percent after Sept. 11, but he's leaving office as a new Gallup Poll puts it at 34 percent. That's up from 25 percent just before the November election, reflecting a bump that presidents commonly get just before they leave.

Bush appeared content—grinning at times—as he summed up his presidency and prepared to be relieved from the burdens of the Oval Office.

Does Riechmann have a problem with President Bush's grins?

Good grief.

He has reason to be content. Early in his presidency, in a televised address to a joint session of Congress and the American people on September 20, 2001, President Bush promised:

After all that has just passed -- all the lives taken, and all the possibilities and hopes that died with them -- it is natural to wonder if America's future is one of fear. Some speak of an age of terror. I know there are struggles ahead, and dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of terror; this will be an age of liberty, here and across the world.

Great harm has been done to us. We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom -- the great achievement of our time, and the great hope of every time -- now depends on us. Our nation -- this generation -- will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.

It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost to normal. We'll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came -- where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever.

And I will carry this: It is the police shield of a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others. It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. This is my reminder of lives that ended, and a task that does not end.

I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people.

President Bush kept his promise.

In his address tonight, he echoed his words from that remarkable speech he gave just ten days after the 9/11 attacks.

Transcript excerpt

In citizens like these, we see the best of our country – resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there is more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great Nation will never tire … never falter … and never fail.

The snippy Riechmann and those of her ilk don't seem to want to acknowledge that President Bush succeeded at anything.

They refuse to admit that President Bush kept his promise from 2001 -- "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

His words, "this great Nation will never tire ... never falter ... and never fail," are as inspiring today as they were when he first said them nearly 8 years ago, when the rubble of the World Trade Center was still burning.

Throughout his two terms, President Bush has consistently credited the American people for the greatness of the United States. In his farewell, he didn't focus on himself. Instead, he humbly thanked Americans for their service and sacrifice and for granting him the privilege to serve as president these past 8 years.

President Bush is displaying a great deal of poise and dignity as he prepares to leave office. Unfortunately, his critics are not responding in kind.

No surprise.