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.

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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.

[flexsf]

Would you do something about the economy, Bush? You idiot!

[avigil2]

Good riddance Mr. President. Thanks for nothing!

[drbob10001]

"He''s usually in a good mood." Disgusting!

[hermitdave]

If Bush does not hold a last press conference it will set a record since he has never held a real one since he was appointed president. Perhaps they put away all the cardboard cut outs of reporters anyway. It would be fun to hear the gay black guy ask him one last question.

[kansas1946]

I hope he isn''t hoping for a standing ovation on the way out the door.

[solarrays247-2009]

this guy leaves a grand mess for others to clean up. I just hope he does not return to booze or drugs to hide his private pain and inner torture that he is about to experience during his senior years. take care mr. president

Posted by heavylexus at 07:27 PM : Nov 20, 2008

Do socialpaths feel private pain and inner torture?

[ray999999]

this idiot can''t leave fast enough for me.bushs legacy will be even an idiot can become president

[bjcone8559]

They all ran away. I seriously need to improve my bedside manner. Good night kids.

[bjcone8559]

this is an example of your outrageous comments. I guess this for you is civil conversation. It isn''''t


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Posted by alanrobisch2

I am aware that you and yours would see that comment as outrageous, I am deeply sorry for you. You must understand, though, that if you were standing in a group of 20 Americans only 4 of you would feel that way. It will be your task to determine if you 4 are right, or if the other 16 have it figured out. You might want to factor in the concept of ''democracy''. In other words, if you decide that you 4 are right... it won''t matter.

[centerfall94]

Nasty assed nincompoop chick elitist 12 years old!

Posted by Rowdydfw at 07:26 PM

What''s this, an autobiography?

[centerfall94]

I''''''''m just trying to understand why anyone would vote for the criminal party that has done so much to destroy our country

this is an example of your outrageous comments. I guess this for you is civil conversation. It isn''''t

Posted by alanrobisch2 at 07:37 PM

Oh please. Truth hurts, doesn''t it.

[alanrobisch]

I''''m just trying to understand why anyone would vote for the criminal party that has done so much to destroy our country

this is an example of your outrageous comments. I guess this for you is civil conversation. It isn''t

[bjcone8559]

Yup you got it. You apparently get your jollies from attacking and demeaning others


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Posted by alanrobisch2

I don''t want to get this wrong, as I understand it you believe that I get my ''jollies'' ,as you put it, trying to make others feel less than they are, or less than I am. Is that a correct analysis? Then, further, it is your responsibility to make me aware of my horrible self. You are not attacking me, I understand. You are above that. Please tell me more.

[heavylexus]

this guy leaves a grand mess for others to clean up. I just hope he does not return to booze or drugs to hide his private pain and inner torture that he is about to experience during his senior years. take care mr. president

[alanrobisch]

remember now, and I understand. That is your way of expressing your belief that I am not very intelligent. Interesting. Please tell me more.


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Posted by nowaymcgoo at 07:22 PM : Nov 20, 2008

Yup you got it. You apparently get your jollies from attacking and demeaning others

[combatvet03]

Good luck Georgie Texas girl, and everyone associated with her, you are pathetic....

[bjcone8559]

Is that why you called supporters of george bush sociopaths? boy thats insightful. It sounds like any thing above see spot run is above your paygrade.


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Posted by alanrobisch2

See spot run

I remember now, and I understand. That is your way of expressing your belief that I am not very intelligent. Interesting. Please tell me more.

[alanrobisch]

I''''m sorry, looks like this conversation has reached a plane that is (as Obama said) above your pay grade! I have a few minutes, I''''ll play if you want. We can both use insane, childish remarks and insult one another. You go first.


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Posted by nowaymcgoo at 07:11 PM : Nov 20, 2008
+ report abuse

Is that why you called supporters of george bush sociopaths? boy thats insightful. It sounds like any thing above see spot run is above your paygrade.

[bjcone8559]

as for me as much as I disliked clinton for his total insufferable dishonesty and lack of integrity I did not carry my distaste or hatred with me. It seems you are. I have been told that the person who does the hating is often the one who is hurt the worst by it.


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Posted by alanrobisch2

Oh, good!! Another one. Looks like the 22% are out in force tonight. Welcome, please share your wisdom.

[bjcone8559]

***!? You just asked another guy what he was doing later? Why listen to you flamer?


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Posted by TheMasses10

I''m sorry, looks like this conversation has reached a plane that is (as Obama said) above your pay grade! I have a few minutes, I''ll play if you want. We can both use insane, childish remarks and insult one another. You go first.