President Bush’s Farewell Speech

RUSH: Here’s Steven, Spartanburg, South Carolina. You’re next on Open Line Friday. Hi.

CALLER: Mega dittos, Rush. Thank you for all that you do.

RUSH: You’re very welcome, sir.

CALLER: I wanted to comment on the speech last night from President Bush.

RUSH: Yes.

CALLER: Whether you’re a fan, supporter, or just observer, one of the things that I liked about it was, he spoke I think from his heart, as you would at the end of any experience, especially the presidency, but what he said was, in essence, what he believes in was not in a person, but in what makes America great, and that is the people and their ingenuity. And I really liked how he said that. He didn’t say don’t put your trust in a president, but he more or less implied it and meant it. And I appreciated that and wanted to see if you got to see it last night as well.

RUSH: You know last night was one of the few times I got the impression he wasn’t using a prompter, and he came off much better. I’ve been one of the many who have gotten to know him personally who, could tell you stories, you would not believe the guy in person, based on how you’ve gotten to know him on television, via the camera. One of the most controversial to the Drive-Bys and their analysts. Grab sound bite number 11, Mike. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is perhaps the most controversial statement the president made last night in his farewell address.

THE PRESIDENT: As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.

RUSH: David Brooks and Mark ‘Maxi’ Shields blew up at this on PBS last night, Brooks saying, ‘I never forgot about it, I never forgot about it.’ Shields was out there saying, well, I don’t have time to play the bite, but he was calling Bush John the Baptist and Obama Christ last night on PBS. I don’t have time to analyze it. I know what the president means. Some of you might find fault with it because you haven’t forgotten 9/11 because of airport security and the bungled job that is.