Jokey Bush Applies for, Turns Down Job

He didn't intend to harm former First Couple, officials say

(NEWSER) - Secret Service agents have busted a man for driving his muscle car erratically onto the lawn of former president George W. Bush. He and wife Laura were home at the time but were never in any danger, officials said. The driver made no threats against the Bushes and apparently did not intend to harm them, reports MSNBC . The Bushes live on a gated public street in the Preston Hills section of Dallas and have constant Secret Service protection. The former First Couple "appreciates the work of the Secret Service and Dallas Police Department in responding to the incident," said a Bush spokesman. More»

Former president tells crowd he relied on 'the Almighty'

(NEWSER) - George W. Bush commanded a 15,000-strong crowd at a motivational megashow in Dallas last night, flanked by signs reading "Achieve!" and "Motivate!" but not by the pyrotechnics that greeted other speakers—Secret Service said no. Bush told stories of both "great and not so great" days in office, saying setbacks only made him stronger. "All of us are going to be dealt a hand we don't want to play," Bush said. "The question is how to play the hand." More»

Former president tells high school seniors he's relieved to be in suburbia

(NEWSER) - Being wrist-deep in dog poo makes a nice change of pace from being neck-deep in responsibilities, George W. Bush told a group of New Mexico high school seniors yesterday. Bush, in one of his few public appearances since leaving office, said it felt liberating to be out of the Oval Office and returning to normal life in suburbia, AP reports. 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»

He moves firmly among the 33% who supported him

(NEWSER) - President Bush began his new life in an "insulated bubble" the day he left Washington toting a plane of teary-eyed friends watching a rosy video tribute on the Bush era. Low approval ratings? Bah. "He lives squarely in the remaining 33%" who supported him, writes Washington Post's Eli Saslow in a lengthy look at Bush's post-presidential world. More»