Former US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington.
In this undated image posted on former President George W. Bush's Instagram account Bush, right, delivers pizzas to his secret service detail in Florida. The photo posted on Bush's...
Former US President George W. Bush touches his fathers casket after speaking during the State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush, at the National Cathedral, in Washingto...
Former US President George W. Bush fights back tears as he speaks during the State Funeral for his father, former President George H.W. Bush, at the National Cathedral, in Washingt...
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, from left, former first lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush watch as the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush arriv...
President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush greets President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, ...
President George W. Bush greets President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of ...
President Donald Trump, right, is greeted by former President George Bush and former first lady Laura Bush outside the Blair House across the street from the White House in Washing...
Family members watch as the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard to lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. C...
Former US President George W. Bush, with former first lady Laura Bush, listens to eulogies for his father, President George H.W. Bush, as he lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda wh...
Former US President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, left, and other family members watch as the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services m...
She was the first lady to the 41st president of the US and mother of the 43rd. As such, the funeral of the recently departed Barbara Bush was a congregation of former power. Al...
In this photo provided by the Office of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, shows Bush, front center, and past presidents and first ladies Laura Bush, from left, George W. Bush...
Former Presidents George W. Bush, left, and George H.W. Bush arrive at St. Martin's Episcopal Church for a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush, in Houston.
Former President George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, followed by former first lady Laura Bush follow as pallbearers carry the casket of former first lady Barbara Bush after a fune...
Former President George W. Bush, left, talks with Franklin Graham as he arrives to pay respects to Billy Graham during a public viewing at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, No...
Former US President George W. Bush with Manmohan Singh
Former President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch before Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Houston.
Former Presidents from right, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter gather on stage during a hurricanes relief concert in College Station, T...
Former President George W. Bush, center, speaks as fellow former Presidents from right, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter look on during a hurricanes re...
It was his first speech since leaving office and he was full of his usual cheer: “I actually paid for a house last fall. I think I'm the only American to have bought a house in the fall of 2008”:
Bush included a little recycled reminiscing: “So I had [Russian then-President Vladimir] Putin to Camp David one time, and I introduced him to Barney. And he kind of looked at Barney like, ‘Oh, man, he looks like a Monopoly piece. I'm crazy about Barney, by the way. I love the little guy. …
“So fast forward to a visit to Putin's dacha outside Moscow. He says, ‘You want to meet my dog?’ I said, ‘Sure, I would like to see your dog.’ And out bounced this huge hound embracing all over the ground. And he looks to me -- honest to goodness -- and says, ‘Faster, stronger, and bigger than Barney.’
Whereupon [Canadian Prime Minister Stephen] Harper says, ‘At least he only showed his dog.’ I thought Harper's got a good sense of humor.”
Early in his remarks, Bush made his point about his successor.
“I want to say something about Barack Obama. Now, he was not my first choice for president. But when he won, I thought it was good for the United States of America. I was deeply touched and deeply moved when I saw African-Americans weeping on TV saying, ‘I never thought it was possible.’ I want the president to succeed. I love my country a lot more than I love politics. I think it is essential that he be helped in the office. …
Read the full article: Bush promises not to attack Obama
First we had Narendra Modi likening himself to a Hindu monk in a white dress, and now we have George W. Bush reminding us here that he "was a compassionate conservative". There's something about this self-image thing that makes me wonder....
So, this is just for posterity. We all know what happened and it's been covered on the site under the wire news and day in pictures, but still and all, perhaps it is best if it were placed here at least for the record. So, the what, when, where, how etc first: When? December 14, 2008 Where? Baghdad, Iraq What? George W Bush, who was on a surprise trip, conducted amid deep secrecy, to Baghdad to thank his troops and herald a new security pact. At a press conference with the Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, he said the conflict had been necessary. "The war is not over," he added. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, came a hurled shoe, as a journalist, later identified as Muntadar al-Zaidi yelled: "This is a farewell kiss, you dog! This is the end!" But clearly, that was not the end. For soon came his other shoe, hurled once with his full might: “This is from the widows, the orphans, and those who were killed in Iraq!”
