Former President George W. Bush, who has mostly remained out of the public eye since leaving Washington in January 2009, was thrust back into the national spotlight on Thursday for the opening ceremony of his presidential library in Dallas, Texas. Every other living president, including Barack Obama was there.
Bush—who remains the most unpopular living former president (although public opposition has softened as time passed)—has gone on a media blitz ahead of the opening, talking about his tarnished image, his love for painting, his frosty relationship with Dick Cheney, the recent bombing attack in Boston, and more.
Here’s a roundup of what he has said:
History will vindicate me: Bush told “CBS This Morning” that he has “no desire to spend my post-presidency trying to enhance my standing.” He added, “Historians will eventually sort out the good and the bad” of every commander-in-chief. “I have got this great faith in history.”
“Some people are surprised I can even read”: Bush told the Dallas Morning News earlier this month that he has very few regrets. “I’m comfortable with what I did. I’m comfortable with who I am.” He also opened up about his paintings, which surfaced online, including one of him showering. He’s taken up art as a hobby since leaving the presidency. “People are surprised,” said Bush. “Of course, some people are surprised I can even read.” He told CBS he spends up to three hours a day painting, which helps him relax.
I barely talk to Dick Cheney: The former president told C-SPAN that he doesn’t see the man who served on his ticket for eight years. “It’s been cordial…I don’t see him much. And I don’t see many of the people I worked with much and it’s kind of sad.” Bush said he doesn’t miss his time in D.C. “You know, I really don’t miss Washington. So while we’ve got friends in Washington, I’m not all that friendly to Washington.”









