George Bush defends legacy

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 12th January, 2009

President George Bush has made a strong denial that his presidency has damaged America's moral standing in the world.

At a farewell White House news conference, Mr Bush told reporters he had acted to keep America safe and to spread freedom, and was not worried about his rock-bottom approval ratings.

He lashed out at the so-called elites of Europe who had condemned some of his policies and warned that "axis of evil" foes, Iran and North Korea, were still dangerous.

On his unpopular Iraq war policy, he said he would be remembered for the surge of troops he ordered when violence threatened to spill out of control.

"I decided to do something about it, and to send 30,000 troops in as opposed to withdrawing," he said.

Bush defended his decision not to land Air Force One in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005.

The monster storm which saw his administration accused of deserting thousands of people in the flood inundated area.

"Could things have been done better? Absolutely. Absolutely," he said.

He then summed up his eight years in power as a "good, strong record."

Mr Bush was most emphatic when confronted with claims he had tarnished America's global reputation.

"I strongly disagree with the assessment that our moral standing has been damaged," he said.

"It may be damaged amongst some of the elite, but people still understand America stands for freedom. You go to Africa, you ask Africans about America's generosity and compassion. Go to India ... go to China and ask."

The unpopular Republican president will next week hand Democrat Barack Obama a nation locked in two foreign wars, embroiled in the worst economic slump since the 1930s and with the budget deficit of US$1 trillion.

Asked what he would do in retirement, Mr Bush replied: "I just can't envision myself, you know, with the big straw hat and a Hawaiian shirt sitting on some beach. Particularly since I quit drinking."

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