NationStates Jolt Archive

President Bush called for a "compassionate" Republican Party and warned against the GOP becoming "anti-immigrant" in one of his last interviews as president, defending his vision of the party that has become unpopular among some Republicans.

"It's very important for our party not to narrow its focus, not to become so inward looking that we drive people away from a philosophy that is compassionate and decent," the president said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday" that was aired today. "We shouldn't have litmus tests as to whether or not you can be a Republican. And we should be open-minded about big issues like immigration reform, because if we're viewed as anti-somebody -- in other words, if the party is viewed as anti-immigrant -- then another fellow may say, well, if they're against the immigrant, they may be against me."

Bush, asked about how the GOP could avoid future elections like 2008 when it lost the presidency and even more seats in the House and Senate, said "I think that we shouldn't change our philosophy." But he added, "We may want to change our message. We definitely want to change messengers. We need a new group of leaders."

He declined to name any of the leaders except for his brother Jeb, who recently decided against running for the Senate in Florida in 2010 despite encouragement from the president.


Some of the Bush administrations policies, such as expanding the federal government's role in education through the No Child Left Behind Act and making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens, have come under fire from some Republicans. But the president repeatedly used the phrase that marked his 2000 campaign in saying "we've got to be compassionate conservatives."

Joined for part of the interview by his father, former President George H.W. Bush, the president said he would take up to four years to write a book about his presidency, which he said would explore his decision-making on some of the key issues of his eight-year tenure.

The two men, who have almost never been interviewed together during the younger Bush's time in the White House, defended each other's presidencies. The current president said his father was "almost too humble to be president."

"He's going to be judged great, too," the current president said of his father. "When history finally gets objective, they will be able to say a lot of positive things about George Bush."

George H.W. Bush says he viewed his son's tenure "very positively."

While President-elect Barack Obama spoke out in an ABC interview that aired today against an interrogation technique known as water-boarding, President Bush defended his administration's policies as legal and necessary. He said he would be concerned if Obama abandoned the techniques used by his administration.

"Obviously, I feel like it would be a problem," Bush said, "because these are tools that we have in place. I do want to -- you know, I firmly reject the word torture."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011101332.html?hpid=topnews

1. I find it amusing that hes very clear they dont want to be seen as "anti-somebody", even though he pushed for an ammendment to ban gay marriage (thats essentially what it was). Hes only concerned about not being anti-immigrant because his buddies need that cheap labor.

2. I like how, while talking about being compassionate, he defends torture in the same breath. Hes deluded if he thinks that policey will outlive him.

3. He spews the typical Republican crap about how History will view his policies (and his father's) in a positive light. Wishful thinking ftw!

4. He wants Jeb to be a new leader for the Republican party. As if we'd ver elect another Bush after the last eight years.

Man, I might even miss this clown. I dont think we'll see someone with so much power in the US who is so insane and so delusional for a long time. Ignorance like this is hard to come by.

Well you have to give him one thing. He was pretty good at the "it wasn't me" answer to stuff.

Even now he is basically saying hey I am not the one that lacks compassion, it's the "party" Don't be anti-immigrant but I will support immigration policy!

I will toast his departure when it comes. Texas can have him.

As to Jeb and elections.....don't count out the stupidity of the average American. In about 8 or so years, his chances will go up. We did elect the shrub to another term and there are many people who think he did a great job and is probably one of the better presidents.....

We did elect the shrub to another term and there are many people who think he did a great job and is probably one of the better presidents.....

You mean people besides Jihadi recruiters from Al'Qaeda and their likes?

He is right on the in the future people will look back and like him thing. Truman is an excellent example. When he left office, he had an 8% approval rating. Nowadays people praise him and all.

I think people will realize that Bush actually had things going pretty well. The Recession is NOT because of him, its because of the Democratic majority which controlled the Financial commities and passed the bills. Proof of this can be seen by the Fannie May and Freddie Mac instances. The top 4 recipiants of money from the companies to get the mto pass the lending bills were:
1. (Forget the name, but was a leading Democrat, can't recall the name though)
2. John Kerry
3. Hillary Clinton (Or Bill Clinton, can't remember which)
4. Barrack Obama

Suspicious much?

He is right on the in the future people will look back and like him thing. Truman is an excellent example. When he left office, he had an 8% approval rating.

*Sigh* It was actually a 22-25%, depending on the poll. Truman's approval rating was also lower for far different, less serious reasons.

I think people will realize that Bush actually had things going pretty well. The Recession is NOT because of him, its because of the Democratic majority which controlled the Financial commities and passed the bills. Proof of this can be seen by the Fannie May and Freddie Mac instances. The top 4 recipiants of money from the companies to get the mto pass the lending bills were:
1. (Forget the name, but was a leading Democrat, can't recall the name though)
2. John Kerry
3. Hillary Clinton (Or Bill Clinton, can't remember which)
4. Barrack Obama

Suspicious much?

This delusional, logicless, right wing crap has been beaten down so many times I simply dont have the energy or willpower to do it anymore. So Ill just say "No." and leave it at that.

he's right about that anti-immigration thing.

after all its not like they are against immigrants from europe or canada. they are anti-hispanic. with hispanics being the biggest fastest growing minority in the country, if they keep "hating" them, they are screwed.

he's right about that anti-immigration thing.

after all its not like they are against immigrants from europe or canada. they are anti-hispanic. with hispanics being the biggest fastest growing minority in the country, if they keep "hating" them, they are screwed.

Well the reason we don't have problems with them is because they don't come over here illegally so much. The problems is that thousands of illegal aliens cross our orders daily from the south and are not in our records. And since they come over because they are poor, and the majority of crimes come from poorer people, there are thousands of criminals who we cannot capture because we have no record that they are here in the US at all. Thats why gangs like M-13 are such a problem in N. Virginia because many are illegal and cannot be tracked.

KNights Of Liberty- Its true. Fannie May and Freddie Mac actually released those documents stating that they gave money to those people (and more), with several hundred thousand dollars given overall.

KNights Of Liberty- Its true.

No it's not. The fourth person on the list was neither Clinton. It was Robert Bennet, a republican.

Of the top ten recipients from Fanny/Freddie, 5 are democrats, 5 are republicans.

Yeah, that's bull! George Bush isn't a true conservative. Republican doesn't mean conservative. He's a liberal in disguise. But I'd take Bush over Barack Hussein any day!

Well the reason we don't have problems with them is because they don't come over here illegally so much. The problems is that thousands of illegal aliens cross our orders daily from the south and are not in our records. And since they come over because they are poor, and the majority of crimes come from poorer people, there are thousands of criminals who we cannot capture because we have no record that they are here in the US at all. Thats why gangs like M-13 are such a problem in N. Virginia because many are illegal and cannot be tracked.

KNights Of Liberty- Its true. Fannie May and Freddie Mac actually released those documents stating that they gave money to those people (and more), with several hundred thousand dollars given overall.
not the point, eh?

Yeah, that's bull! George Bush isn't a true conservative. Republican doesn't mean conservative. He's a liberal in disguise. But I'd take Bush over Barack Hussein any day!

OMG Obama is a MOZLEM!?

Like we haven't heard that one before.
:rolleyes:

No it's not. The fourth person on the list was neither Clinton. It was Robert Bennet, a republican.

Of the top ten recipients from Fanny/Freddie, 5 are democrats, 5 are republicans.


Shhh dont ruin the child's delusions.

OMG Obama is a MOZLEM!?

Like we haven't heard that one before.
:rolleyes:

quick, everyone, our next president has a funny name! Run for your lives!

OMG Obama is a MOZLEM!?

Like we haven't heard that one before.
:rolleyes:

I more I hear it, the more I kind of hope he is. There just might be a mass suicide that day.

Yeah, that's bull! George Bush isn't a true conservative. Republican doesn't mean conservative. He's a liberal in disguise. But I'd take Bush over Barack Hussein any day!

Oh noes! Not a Sodomy Hussein reference!

Oh noes! Not a Sodomy Hussein reference!

http://www.synthstuff.com/mt/archives/satan-saddam-bed.jpg

"Why does it always have to be about sex, Saddam?"
"... I love you?"

I more I hear it, the more I kind of hope he is. There just might be a mass suicide that day.

A gay atheist muslim. *nods*

quick, everyone, our next president has a funny name! Run for your lives!

I propose we amend the constitution to allow people born outside this country to be President.

We'll call it the Anurag Dikshit Amendment.

Thing is, many Republicans (and others) criticized Bush for being "pro immigrant" when his real 'flaw' was just "not being sufficiently anti-immigrant."

I firmly reject the word torture.

Awesome. Just awesome. He's not rejecting torture. He's rejecting the word.

Neo Art, I'm not paying you back the $1,100 you loaned me to party with that achondroplasiatic hooker at the Moonlight Bunny Ranch outside Carson City last summer. I firmly reject the words "welching cocksucker".

quick, everyone, our next president has a funny name! Run for your lives!

He's using the full name--Hussein and all--in the Inauguration ceremony. I like that.

He's using the full name--Hussein and all--in the Inauguration ceremony. I like that.

Thats going to be fun to watch.

Thing is, many Republicans (and others) criticized Bush for being "pro immigrant" when his real 'flaw' was just "not being sufficiently anti-immigrant."

I think you underestimate Bush's affinity for immigrants.

Consider:

1. He likes pick-up trucks.

2. He drinks cheap Mexican beer.

3. His English is not good.

4. He smiles whenever you say something to him he doesn't understand.

Face it, they're his people.

He's using the full name--Hussein and all--in the Inauguration ceremony. I like that.

Hopefully someone'll have cameras and mikes on that crazy old woman at the McCain Rally who was crying about him being an "Ayrab" when he takes the vow of office.

:D

Hopefully someone'll have cameras and mikes on that crazy old woman at the McCain Rally who was crying about him being an "Ayrab" when he takes the vow of office.

:D

I just hope to see breaking news of mass attempted suicides. For teh lulz.

I just hope to see breaking news of mass attempted suicides. For teh lulz.

As long as they're not attempted suicide bombings at the inauguration.

As long as they're not attempted suicide bombings at the inauguration.

If their "attempted" as in foiled, it might still be epic lulz, cause no one got hurt and a bunch of psycho klansmen would be going to jail for the rest of their lives.

he's right about that anti-immigration thing.

after all its not like they are against immigrants from europe or canada. they are anti-hispanic. with hispanics being the biggest fastest growing minority in the country, if they keep "hating" them, they are screwed.I am fair in my hate of foreign persons. I only believe men who are over 6'0 should be allowed to move to the U.S., and for women I will say about 5'9 would be good.

Seriously? Compassionate Republican? So, what...after brutally butt-raping the poor and minority groups to within an inch of their lives they'd send flowers and ring the next day to ask how they are?

Seriously? Compassionate Republican? So, what...after brutally butt-raping the poor and minority groups to within an inch of their lives they'd send flowers and ring back the next day to ask how they are?

No, they just send you a text messege saying "sup?"

I am fair in my hate of foreign persons. I only believe men who are over 6'0 should be allowed to move to the U.S., and for women I will say about 5'9 would be good.
what do you have against the average height and short people?

Seriously? Compassionate Republican? So, what...after brutally butt-raping the poor and minority groups to within an inch of their lives

they give them a reach around.

they give them a reach around.

And they use the best lotion money can buy, too.

Dirty, traitor. Since when did we Republicans care about other people?

It's a dog eats dog world people. Not a place where a lion lies with a sheep and gives birth to freaky babies.

Oh look, another Bush thread. Nice job trolling the right wing nutjobs once again.

Anyways, in 1999, Bush ran on the "compassionate conservative" line heavily. Now I ask, how compassionate was he in office?

The fat cats just want more slaves and to undermine the middle class, that's why they rave about open borders.

Oh look, another Bush thread. Nice job trolling the right wing nutjobs once again.


If I was intentionally trolling, it would be far more subtle and original (most of the time).

Man, I might even miss this clown.

Again, my theory about the world coming to an end is slowly piecing together.


I will toast his departure when it comes. Texas can have him.


Im from there, and I find that an insult....why not just ship him back to Connecticut?

*Sigh* It was actually a 22-25%, depending on the poll. Truman's approval rating was also lower for far different, less serious reasons.

This delusional, logicless, right wing crap has been beaten down so many times I simply dont have the energy or willpower to do it anymore. So Ill just say "No." and leave it at that.

Not all of the stuff that comes out of conservatives is crap, its just there are too many dumb conservatives, and all the intelligent ones are too afraid to come out because they are more moderate.

quick, everyone, our next president has a funny name! Run for your lives!

I even have to laugh at hard-core conservatives about this one, this is just hilarious. Come one my fellow intelligent republican leaning folks! The name doesn't matter!!!!

On the other hand, am I the only one? If so I feel alone

I propose we amend the constitution to allow people born outside this country to be President.

We'll call it the Anurag Dikshit Amendment.

Now Arnold can run for president. :p

Seriously? Compassionate Republican? So, what...after brutally butt-raping the poor.......

How so? It seems to me that the rich are about to be butt-raped.....

Dirty, traitor. Since when did we Republicans care about other people?


When we were in office. :)

Oh look, another Bush thread. Nice job trolling the right wing nutjobs once again.

And there are no left wing nutjobs? That sounds unfairly biased...

And there are no left wing nutjobs?

I'm sure there are, but that's none of my concern. Incidentally, only a right wing nutjob would defend Bush and call anyone attacking him a left wing nutjob, they might even be a right wingnut. Those are the facts, I'm just reporting them.

I think people will realize that Bush actually had things going pretty well. Heh. Not really.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6205030.html
The Recession is NOT because of him
http://www.websmileys.com/sm/happy/516.gif
http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/irre.gif


its because of the Democratic majority which controlled the Financial commities and passed the bills.You don't know what you're talking about. This started much, much sooner than the democratic majority. How embarrassing for you.
Proof of this can be seen by the Fannie May and Freddie Mac instances.Yes, the about 10% overall contribution to the issue whereas the other 90% or so was private. It can indeed be seen, hmmm?
Suspicious much?Uninformed much? Wishful thinking much?

It's a dog eats dog world people. Not a place where a lion lies with a sheep and gives birth to freaky babies. For God's sake it is not New Zealand is it?Fixed.

what do you have against the average height and short people?What do you have against a country dominated by tall people?