Bush "Fox News Sunday" Interview: I Refused To "Bail Out" GOP (VIDEO)

President Bush told Brit Hume on "FOX News Sunday" that he refused to "bail out my political party" by withdrawing troops "during the darkest days of Iraq."

"During the darkest days of Iraq, people came to me and said, 'You're creating incredible political difficulties for us,'" the current president said as his term draws to a close. "And I said, 'Oh, really? What do you suggest I do?' And some suggested retreat, pull out of Iraq. But I had faith that freedom exists in people's souls and therefore, if given a chance, democracy and Iraqi-style democracy could survive and work," the president said. "I didn't compromise that principle for the sake of trying to, you know, bail out my political party."

Former President George H. W. Bush, also interviewed, praised his son for the decision. "You can make a tough decision and stay with it," adding to Hume, "And he's been tested unlike any other president with 9/11. So he passed the test."

Watch:

Comments

[Heavy]

I used to wonder how this guy could look in the mirror, then I realized it was easy. He casts no reflection.

[Gidster]

W is not evil, he is just the simple minded figurehead at the mast of Cheney, Rove and Rummsfeld's ship!

[Donnat]

So we at least know that delusions of grandeur are hereditary. W bleats about how he saved Iraq...why doesn't he go there again and let the world see how much Iraq loves him...or is he afraid of more shoes?

[RockySoldier]

georgie, this is why the best never go full 'tard.

[JZ735]

The ultimate in arrogant SOBs...and if any Repub still has the audacity to shill for this man, they are more than sad...just sick.

[RockySoldier]

i'll say this for the guy- when he's convinced he's right, he won't sell out his ideals for political expediency. that's more than can be said for guys like romney who change their ideals when the wind blows in their face.

[monicaangela]

They put him in office, gave him everything he asked for, and when they asked a favor of him he said NO!! Serves you right rethugs :)

[JZ735]

Bush likes to kick people in the a--...he did it to all of the country for eight years.

[notmyhero]

Why does Bush get credit for doing such a great job with 9/11 ? What did he do, did I miss something? All I recall is the Death of many Americans after the plane impacts and a war that has nothing to do with 9/11 other than giving an excuse for it. So what has he done to deserve praise for his actions and keeping us safe after 9/11? To conclude he kept us safe would mean proving we were again in harm.

[Heavy]

George Bush, never met a mistake he didn't like.

[Princeton]

The GOP deserves 30 years in the wilderness (if they ever comeback at all) for imposing this dimwit on the country.

[winwithoutrwar]

40 years.

[catsmom]

50+ years

[StillAmused]

"During the darkest days of Iraq, people came to me and said, 'You're creating incredible political difficulties for us."

"Most of them were Iraqis."

Former President George H. W. Bush said "he's been tested unlike any other president with 9/11. So he passed the test."

Asked what he could possibly mean by that statement, the elder Bush's jaw went slack and his eyes rolled up into his head.

[BeasleysMom]

"The conventional wisdom of that political party thought --- here's a likable harmless dimwit that they can handle and manipulate for the party to gain power"

For a second I thought you were talking about Sideshow Sarah.

[dagnome27]

boosh = I.D.I.O.T.

[fumes]

larryburns94 and aliMB

you miss the point guys: iraq will not be our ally no matter how much we spend in blood and bucks, so it was a bad investment, your hero is not iraq's hero nor ours, get it?

[AliMB]

who says Bush is my hero? i just praised his decision for adopting the surge strategy (which has been a success); that is completely different from thinking he is a great president or "hero". And i disagree with your statement that "iraq will not be our ally no matter" what... i think there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Iraq is forming a long-term parternship with the US (e.g. SOFA). Again, that doesn't make invading Iraq a good policy.

[fumes]

define: ''success''

warning: this is a trap

[Princeton]

The so called "surge" should have been called paying-off­-the-triba­l-leaders plan. Bush couldn't call it by its actual name since everyone would have been up in arms. So he used the surge as a decoye.

[rabiddog6708]

Iraq was our allie when Saddam was fighting his war with Iran? I guess your tiny Repub brain can't process information back that far. Saddam was a Sunni and we overthrew him and put the Shiites in control...­..the Shiites control Iran as well.....I­'m not sure what you mean by saying there is "there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Iraq is forming a long-term parternship with the US".....I do know, however, you pulled said evidence out of your posterior region where your tiny Repub brain resides.

[PoliticalRockChick]

War criminal.

[RockySoldier]

are you still on that? so cliche. use your head and give up some original thoughts once in a while.

he's a war criminal, we know.

you're so melodramatic.

[JZ735]

It's not melodrama.­..just a fact.

[FrankenPC]

I wonder if Bush understands the damage he's done. I'm being serious. I wonder if he is some form of sociopath. Maybe he literally has no idea what he and Cheney has done to the US and the world.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Being stubborn was more important that anything.

[StillIRise]

I really don't think he cares, and the only thing he cares about now is his legacy, his library and the book he wants to write. In fact, he seems to have put more thoughtfulness and energy in trying to revise his legacy than he did in building it (or tearing it down, depending on how one looks at it). I have a feeling that Bush treated his presidency like he probably treated everything else in his life that was handed to him on a silver platter. It's like a child who has everything and quickly becomes bored with his new toys. After the newness and the glamor and the excitement has worn off, he's ready to move on to something else.

He made his money, he fulfilled the Contract for a New America mission, he made a name for himself in history, he's part of the Bush legacy, and now he's ready to move on to the next toy!

I think the people who voted for him should be dealt with like we deal with traffic offenders. After voting for him the first time, they should have been put on probation. After the second time, their voting right should have been taken away. And if they were still going to vote for McCain, they should be imprisoned!

[FrankenPC]

I'm on probation. I'm an independent. I voted for the Republican party in 2000. I did so strictly out of greed. I was earning quite a bit as a consultant and wanted a break from heavy taxes.

I regret my decision profoundly.

I'm still an independent because the "chicken little" Democrats have done little to earn my trust up until now.

At this point, I'm willing to be heavily taxed to repair the damage that has been done. I sincerely hope it's not too late to repair that damage.

[blkcat x lady]

Good question. I often ask my friends and even strangers if they think dubya jr. knows how stupid he really is! I'm not kidding either. Cracks me up when people give the "but, he graduated Yale". Yeah, and he had a tutor for the entire time he was there, common knowledge. The way that he acts and the responses that he gives make me wonder, more and more. I live in Dallas not too far from where they are going to live and hate the idea. I believe that his family has done him a great injustice by letting him "think" that he is semi-literate. The "right of privilege" is alive and well in that family. Even though I don't believe that laura is as bad as he is, she has stayed with him for the money and prestiege. Does anyone remember when early in his presidency, Laura critized duba$$ and HIS MOTHER told her to never disagree with him in public? lol The reason she acts like a stepford wife....to maintain the image. You just know that she winces every time he opens his stoopid mouth. They are just a rouge family hidden behind wealth...a­ll of 'em!~

[blkcat x lady]

They are a (correctio­n.."rogue"­... family. Well, maybe they are a rouge family...w­ho the he!! knows what sort of kinky games they play when out of the public eye!? lol UUps, upps...tha­t image just made me temporarily blind. We know they had kids but, can you imagine them..ewww­w! lol

[zanzig]

Baffling that Laura, as a teacher (of remedial classes, did I get that right) wasn't able to do anything with this nincompoop. Doesn't say much for her qualifications.

[JZ735]

The man is so damaged it is clear he hasn't a clue...