Update: President Bush Completes Final Press Conference Monday

January 12, 2009 10:04 a.m. EST

 
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President Bush held the final press conference of his presidency Monday. The press conference began just after 9:15 a.m. ET.

President Bush began the press conference by thanking the reporters in his press corp for their dedication over the last eight years. He then opened the floor to questions spanning his last eight years in office.

President Bush also made remarks about the current situation in Gaza saying that he hopes for a 'sustainable ceasefire' by the end of his term. He is still optimistic that peace will ultimately happen in the Middle East region.

When asked what he felt was one of the largest threats that President-Elect Obama would face while in office President Bush said, the 'most urgent threat that he'll have to deal with is an attack on our homeland.'

President Bush agreed that the economic situation was grave but was optimistic that his quick action helped to 'thaw the credit markets.' He did concede that President-elect Obama will 'have his hands full with the economy.'

President Bush later also remarked, 'I am concerned about protectionism in tough economic times.' He continued, 'I think it would be a huge mistake if we became a protectionist nation.'

When prompted, President Bush refused to speculate about President-elect Obama's actions once in office. Bush went further to say, 'When I get out of here, I'm going to get off the stage.'

President Bush also remarked about his 'disappointments' during his presidency saying, 'The one thing about the presidency is that you make decisions based on the information on hand.' He listed Abu Ghraib, the lack of weapons of mass destruction, and the lack of immigration reform early in his presidency as some of the disappointments.

When asked his opinion about the global outlook on the U.S., President Bush disagreed that 'people view America in a dim light.' President Bush also said that there were still many countries that viewed America and Americans positively.

President Bush addressed the controversial TARP funds and noted that he was confident that President-elect Obama and Congress would make appropriate decisions as it related to the final dispersal of the funds.

President Bush shrugged off any allowance of 'self-pity' as it related to the 'burdens of the office.' He also remarked that he 'never felt isolated' and didn't think that Obama would either.

President Bush addressed the progress of the country's race relations pointing out the election of President-Elect Obama. He also stated that he considered himself fortunate to have a front row seat at the swearing in of the country's first black president.

When asked about Obama's ability to continue President Bush's day one plan of being a uniter and not a divider he said, 'I hope the tone is different' for President-elect Obama and he is 'treated with respect.' President Bush wished Obama 'all the best' during his term.