2 Months Left, Bush Says Goodbye, Quietly

CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller Reports On A Winding-Down Presidency

(CBS)  CBS' Mark Knoller covers the White House and Washington politics.

---

Tick tock, tick tock.

Two months from today, the White House packs up the Bush Family belongings and moves in those of the Obama’s.

And it seems President Bush is accepting the ever-nearing end of his term in good spirits.

“He’s usually in a good mood,” said Press Secretary Dana Perino on Monday.

There are no indications he’s trying to hold back the calendar as did predecessor Bill Clinton, who was repeatedly heard to say about the presidency during his last months in office that “even the bad days are good days.”

When we see Mr. Bush at the increasingly-few public events on his daily schedule, he appears upbeat and even good humored, as was the case Tuesday when he spoke to officials at the Department of Transportation.

“You have done a terrific job, as far as I am concerned. The past eight years, I have not seen a traffic jam, waited for an airplane, or had my bags lost,” he said to hearty laughter from a decidedly supportive audience.

And last week in New York: “You know, oftentimes they ask me, what are you going to miss about the presidency? And first reaction is, I say, no traffic jams in New York.”

That’s true enough. The size of his motorcades will decrease significantly once he’s dropped off at Andrews Air Force Base for the flight home to Texas on January 20.

Conscious of the calendar, he has started to express his gratitude to key groups. He used his speech on Veteran’s Day for that purpose.

“The truth of the matter is I will miss being the Commander-in-Chief of such a fabulous group of men and women - those who wear the uniform of the United States military.”

But in recent weeks, it sometimes seems President Bush has got a case of “senioritis.” It would be wrong to say he’s pulling a Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, but his daily schedule in recent weeks has been thin. Take this week:

Monday: He flew back from Camp David just before noon, and then presided over a ceremony bestowing his final batch of National Medals of Arts and Humanities. He also did a photo-op with the U.S. Ryder Cup Team.

Tuesday: He visited the Transportation Department to announce new steps to ease holiday air travel.

Yesterday: His only public event was the re-opening of the National Museum of American History.

And when his schedule for today was issued last evening, it only proclaimed “no public events.”

It should also be noted that Mr. Bush hasn’t held a formal White House news conference since July 15.

He deliberately avoided reporters’ questions all through the campaign season, and doesn’t seem in a hurry to subject himself to the travails of a news conference now that the finish line to his presidency is within sight. Usually, one is expected within a couple of days of the election.

Perino says she “wouldn’t be surprised” if Mr. Bush does a news conference before he leaves office. But maybe not.

“It’s just as possible that there might not be any,” she said Tuesday, covering her tracks.

[notfooled]

Hopefully a prison cell awaits this man and the rest of his criminal administration.

[sandy777-2009]

I say good riddance to him, as he walks out leaving this great country smoldering behind him. Can''t wait to see the day that he and his cronies are brought up on criminal charges and sent to prison.

[babooph]

What were the sentences at Nuerenberg for "preemptivewar?"

[airboatboy1]

Leavin'' behind quite a legacy, isn''t he? And everyday he''s makin'' it worse. What an idiot.

[skeezix06]

He should have been impeached shortly after he took his second oath of office. He is the most immoral president we have ever had.

[formrusmcsgt]

2 Months Left: Bush Says Goodbye, Quietly
---
With his tail between his legs.....

[cbk16]

Since all the Democrats that supported Bush and the war are going to be running Obama''s foreign policy, it seems the Democrats really did agree with the Bush foreign policy since only those who agreed with Bush are being allowed to have the foreign policy appointments. It looks like the Democrats that criticized Bush owe him an apology for saying one thing during the campain, but just following the Bush doctrine when the have to actually run the country. If Bush should be tried for war crimes, half the Democrats, all the ones that support him when it counts, would also need to be tried.

[pirmin3]

Historians will place him at the very bottom of the out house.

[gocubs58]

History books: Worst president EVER!

[citizenusa-2009]

What is left for him to say or do? He F***ED this country on every level. In his mind (and in Cheney''s,), the r.a.p.i.n.g. of America can be considered "MISSIONED ACCOMPLISHED"!!!

[earache4]

"2 Months Left: Bush Says Goodbye, Quietly"

....but the shredders at the white house are humming 24/7......

[citizenusa-2009]

Hey folks, I read that Darth Vader....ooops, I mean D.I.C.K. Cheney, is being indicted. Any truth to this? If so, why isn''t it on CBS News?

[earache4]

What were the sentences at Nuerenberg for "preemptivewar?"
Posted by babooph at 03:40 AM

Death by hanging....

[trishab56]

CBS: He deliberately avoided reporters%u2019 questions all through the campaign season, and doesn%u2019t seem in a hurry to subject himself to the travails of a news conference now that the finish line to his presidency is within sight. Usually, one is expected within a couple of days of the election.

-He should be resigning with his adminstration, now, in order to give back the Nation some dignity!
-Empty bag, then filled with sh*t. Charming but Evil-Spirited and Catastrophe President of this Nation!

[citizenusa-2009]

You''ve got to admit, the man''s got a perfect record. He bankrupted 2 of his father''s successful companies, and then took on the U.S. of A. and sent HER into financial ruin. No surprises here folks!

[emmonnier]

"...says Goodbye, quietly"
As do the families, friends and comrads of the almost 5000 dead American soldiers

[earache4]

And now it%u2019s on to his Paraguay ranch, where they don%u2019t extradite political exiles%u2026.

Historians will place him at the very bottom of the out house. Posted by pirmin3
---
Now you are being generous, to say the least. I suspect they will place him in the company of that which resides beneath the very bottom of the outhouse.

[earache4]

They won''t be making a dollar coin with HIS face on it any time soon....

[dovestar]

Of course nobody mentions that no terrorist attacks have hit this country since 9/11, and as determined as Al Quida has been, this can''t be attributed to dumb luck. Many of the criticisms of this president are ignorant and bigoted. It is clear that history will be much fairer to him than some of the posters on this blog. And if you think that you can do better, then YOU run for President.

[earache4]

Of course nobody mentions that no terrorist attacks have hit this country since 9/11, and as determined as Al Quida has been, this can''''t be attributed to dumb luck. Many of the criticisms of this president are ignorant and bigoted. It is clear that history will be much fairer to him than some of the posters on this blog. And if you think that you can do better, then YOU run for President.
Posted by dovestar at 07:43 AM

No foreign terrorist attacks happened BEFORE the Shrub took office either....

They won''''t be making a dollar coin with HIS face on it any time soon....Posted by earache4
---
They could, but it would be just as counterfeit as his Presidency has been.

[earache4]

This should serve as a stern warning to Palin supporters, stupid people shouldn%u2019t govern%u2026..(should, but won%u2019t)

[nojoy01]

"Conscience of the calendar"

Great proof reading. That should be "concious of the calendar". But then again, I suppose being PC is of greater importance for a reporter than knowledge of the english language.

[vatofla]

Are we going to have to re-ratify the constitution that was thrown out the window under Bush

[perceptions5]

Congrats CBS and to the rest of the new breed of liberal fascists that run America''s most corrupt institution, our mostly liberal MSM wolfpack press.

Through years of lying and misleading the American people these liberal fascists have pretty much destroyed this president.

Thanks fascists becasuse in destroying this president you''ve hurt our country and economy.

But you got your boy elected, Obama.

Goodluck with that for the next four years......

[rixmix98]

"2 Months Left: Bush Says Goodbye, Quietly"

....but the shredders at the white house are humming 24/7......

Posted by earache4 at 07:28 AM : Nov 20, 2008



hahahahah. Priceless!

[timaran]

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[cheetah-man7]

Bush may be saying goodbye quietly, but the vast majority of Americans are LOUDLY YELLING "GOOD RIDDANCE"! Obama can not get into the White House fast enough! God save us ALL!

[joe68sg1]

perceptions5

You are truly a republiCON idiot...
Turn out the light when you leave
Don''t let the door hit you on the way out !!!
See ya in 8 years

[earache4]

Are we going to have to re-ratify the constitution that was thrown out the window under Bush
Posted by VatoFla at 07:59 AM

That will be a big factor when I vote next term. I would like to see torture eliminated. Reversal of illegal wire tapping. And elimination of illegal search and seizure.

[mytoosense]

Congrats CBS and to the rest of the new breed of liberal fascists that run America''''s most corrupt institution, our mostly liberal MSM wolfpack press.

Through years of lying and misleading the American people these liberal fascists have pretty much destroyed this president.

Thanks fascists becasuse in destroying this president you''''ve hurt our country and economy...
------------------------
Posted by perceptions5 at 08:00 AM : Nov 20, 2008

I know!!
It''s just like the way the press ruined Al Capones reputation. Just think of the good he could have done for Chicago if the Press had left him alone!

[earache4]

Thanks fascists becasuse in destroying this president you''ve hurt our country and economy.

Posted by mytoosense at 08:10 AM

(toosense does realize fascists are extreme right wing conservatives by definition, right?)

[perceptions5]

The market is tanking because "business" is looking into the future.

And the only thing they see is Obama, Harry, and Nancy.

A Chicago Gangster, a Las Vegas Mobster,and a San Francisco Snobster.

The economy is the TOP issue right now SO why hasn''t The Emperor Without Clothes, Obama named his candidate to lead the US Treasury?

Of course the this new breed of liberal fascists that run the AP/CBS and the rest of our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press aren''t going to run with that theme.

After all Obama is their boy wonder.

It''s going to four years of major pain and suffering.

If you like the past two years that the Democrats have run our economy and Congress then you''re going to love the next four years with the Dems in 100% control.

........Standby....

[excoachken]

Don''t let the door hit you on the way out, a-whole!

[georgiadog8]

Leave now!

[earache4]

The market is tanking because "business" is looking into the future.

Posted by perceptions5 at 08:16 AM

And has nothing to do with the fact that banks made risky loans, or that America is spending $10 BILION a month on an unwinnable war? The crash is based just on what MIGHT happen in the future? Wow, you must be a broker.....

[ajaxtheleast]

Usually you''ll find a war criminal

saying goodbye under more somber

circumstsances and possibly settings

that include the rising sun just

about to peak over the horizon.


No wonder this man believes in God.

[neoconrcrazy]

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !

bush avenged our NYC dead by getting another 4000 of our boys killed along with 500''000 civilians in IRAQ, which had NOTHING to do with OBL.

he brought US into mega-debt, and ruined what was a good ecomony in 2000.

the worst "president" in our history.

[earache4]

Sure will miss the old Yale man.....NOT!

[rjs1955]

with close to heavy majorities in both houses of congress, the democrats need to promise the republicans that anything with their name on it will be flushed down the toilet or filibustered to death in the senate unless they vote for a whole lot of measures to undo the piles of krap that bush will try to do in the next 2 months by executive action (environment, endangered species, energy). i think we will see more signing off on executive orders before he leaves office than for any pres in modern times. he will openly and crassly try to *** up obama''s first 100 days... and four years like you can''t imagine, and a lot of it won''t become public for months or years... being burrowed in fine print throughout the govt.

[earache4]

I bet Bush can''''t wait to get away from listening and hearing the bottom feeding maggots whine, moan, b***ch and try to wheedle more government money!

What a relief it must be!
posted by Rowdydfw at 08:31 AM

ROWDY!!! You finally woke up from your blissful slumber....Good morning!

[earache4]

I bet Bush can''t wait to get away from listening and hearing the bottom feeding maggots whine, moan, b***ch and try to wheedle more government money!
What a relief it must be!
Posted by Rowdydfw at 08:31 AM

By the way Rowdy, it was the Bush Government that asked for a $700 BILLION bailout, not the other way around...

[jon_mccain]

In other news, president numbnuts has promised to veto a seven week federal extension of unemployment benefits for states with unemployment above 6%. What reason would president numbnuts have to punish those that are struggling in his "prosperous" economy? Why would he veto a six billion dollar program that may keep some of his fellow Americans from ending up on the street? Get this, "It''s fiscally irresponsible".

I heard this on Fox news radio this morning on the drive in, and even their reporter seemed incredulous of his reason.

[worstever2]

Thousands of Armed Forces kids without fathers for life.

Wifes without husbands.

The RICH recieved huge tax cuts.

Corporate execs raped us without so much as a kiss

Environment cards tossed aside

Biggest DEFICIT in the history of our country.

Missle Defense [that does not work] stuck in Soviet Unions face, therefore incoming Dem president can leave in place a non working system, or remove it and appear weak. [GOP goal, cripple the Dem president if they win]

Economy in the sewer, but thanks to the Saudi guy for purchasing CitiBank, ***.

America''s image in the world tarnished for decades.

I will never, ever, ever vote for any republican for any office again in my life.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

I just hope that at 53, I can live long enough to see us dig out from this GOP / BUSH mess. I am not optimistic.

[t4racy]

George Bush is a class act. I admit I didn''t vote for him the first time, but I''m big enough to admit when I''m wrong so I heartily endorsed him for re-election. Not because he was the "lesser of two evils" (which was how I made my choice during this election) but because he was exactly what we needed at the time.

[grumpas]

This religious nut case can''t be gone quick enough!!! Leaving the country in shambles!!!! And pulling a bunch more dirty deals before he makes his exit!!!

[earache4]

And when they start throwing rotten tomatoes at Obslime-a because he hasn''''t instantly made them RICH, because Tinkerbelle and the Tooth Fairy don''''t exist, he can stand in front of the TV and belly laugh his arse off!
Posted by Rowdydfw at 08:37 AM

So Rowdy, did you start throwing tomatoes at Shrub the day you found out WMD''s weren''t real?

[mytoosense]

We can thank Bush for one thing...


We can thank him for the Democrats getting almost total control of Congress (2 more Senators to go, folks), Control of the White House and soon, a majority vote on the Supreme Court.

That second term of Bush''s gave the GOP enough rope to hang themselves to death.

So here we are, Rush Limbaugh is now the most powerful voice of the Republican Party. Not having a vote in Congress does not make him much different than the Republicans in Congress who do have a vote.
At least Rush has his minions of Ditto Heads.

This calls for some new acronyms...

rww = right-wing-whining
cc = conservative crying

Used in a sentance:
Let the rww and cc begin...

[gop_will_win]

In Altoona we are going to have a President Bush going away party. We will all share our stories of how he has affected our lives. It will be a somber occassion and I am sure you are all as sad as I am to see him go.