Since Leaving Office, Bush Raises $1M a Day for Library

Unexpected deficit sparks 'urgent' call for donations by tomorrow

(NEWSER) - Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church has hit a major fundraising speedbump and has asked members to help out with almost $1 million by tomorrow. Warren described the situation yesterday in an “urgent letter unlike any I've written in 30 years.” Last weekend, “our total offerings were less than half of what we normally receive—leaving us $900,000 in the red for the year, unless you help make up the difference today and tomorrow.” The church usually pulls in about $600,000 on a non-holiday weekend, notes ABC News . More»

But he doesn't mention Obama by name

(NEWSER) - George Bush has promised to steer clear of criticizing his successor's policies, but he seemed to come awfully close yesterday during a speech at SMU. "As the world recovers, we will face a temptation to replace the risk-and-reward model of the private sector with the blunt instruments of government spending and control," Bush said. "History shows that the greater threat to prosperity is not too little government involvement, but too much." More»

Obama likely to win re-election, Dems to keep House majority with current numbers

(NEWSER) - Much has been made of President Obama’s 50% job-approval rating, but that number in and of itself is “not particularly newsworthy,” writes Nate Silver for FiveThirtyEight.com. Obama could probably win in 2012 even with approval below 50%: George W. Bush was re-elected with the approval of less than half of the electorate, as did Harry Truman. More»

(NEWSER) - Former President Bush is gradually reentering life as a private citizen in Texas, Newsweek reports, but he's doing it gingerly and on his own terms. While many Texans agree that Dubya's still the friendly, aw-shucks guy they sent to Washington eight years ago, he's definitely keeping clear of dissent. “He is in home territory for sure,” a Texas historian said. “He doesn't enjoy naysayers and critics and opposition. Never has. And right now, he needs that nurturing cocoon that he is in.” More»

(NEWSER) - A Web company has profited off the George W. Bush Presidential Library to the tune of $35,000, the Dallas Morning News reports. The Internet firm that was contracted to develop the library’s website and had purchased www.GeorgeWBushLibrary.com in 2007 unknowingly let the domain license lapse, and a savvy North Carolina company snapped it up for $10. More»