Bush Gang Will Reunite to Reflect on Legacy

'Quaint' calls for balance follow reign of 'Boy Emperor'

(NEWSER) - As their party contracts with the defection of Arlen Specter, the GOP is complaining about a disappearing balance of power: “How quaint,” writes Maureen Dowd in the New York Times—this from the party whose “arrogant” previous administration “did its best to undermine checks and balances.” Meanwhile, the current “professor in chief” is playing constitutional scholar, assuring us he won’t run things like “the Boy Emperor and his regents.” More»

$150,000 price tag shows Bush may not be biggest star of his own administration

(NEWSER) - Condoleezza Rice isn't playing second fiddle to George W. Bush any longer: The former secretary of state charges a $150,000 speaking fee—the same as her old boss, The Hill reports. Rice will even get a jump on the former president later this month when she addresses the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan a month before he plans to. More»

Former State chief also denies that race clouded Bush Katrina response

(NEWSER) - Condoleezza Rice appeared on The View today to defend Bush administration policies, and lament a few key mistakes, the Los Angeles Times reports. Rice expressed regret that weapons of mass destruction never surfaced in Iraq—but stands behind the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Rice also said Hurricane Katrina was “one of the greatest disasters for the administration,” but had harsh words for critics of President Bush’s response. More»

Woodward has seen all the mistakes and lived to tell about it

(NEWSER) - George W. Bush’s presidency could teach Barack Obama many lessons—about what not to do. Bob Woodward lays out 10 of them in today’s Washington Post:

• "Presidents need to draw people out and make sure bad news makes it to the Oval Office": Bush went into Iraq "without directly asking Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, or George Tenet for their bottom-line recommendation."
• "A president must do the homework to master the fundamental ideas and concepts behind his policies": One general suspected Bush "lacked a basic grasp of what the Iraq war was about."

Obama election 'triumph of the American story,' president says

(NEWSER) - All Americans, no matter who they voted for, should be “overcome with pride” at Barack Obama’s historic victory, President Bush said today, calling it “a triumph of the American story.” Bush promised he’d give Obama his “complete cooperation” in preparing for the transition. He said he looked forward to the inauguration, which “will be a stirring sight.” More»