George W. Bush Recalls Katrina, Racism, and 9/11 in Leaked Lauer Interview
- Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:35pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Matt Lauer interviews George W. Bush for an upcoming special. (Photo via Mediaite)
In a leaked transcript of Matt Lauer’s upcoming interview with George W. Bush, the former president recounts his anger over being recalled a “racist” after Hurricane Katrina, and describes what he was thinking when he first heard America was under attack on 9/11.
In the excerpts leaked today, Bush also offers a candid glimpse behind his Iraq war decision and explains why he never went public with his DUI arrest.
Excerpts below:
On September 11 and how he received the news:
MATT LAUER:
It was a Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Before I get into the details of it, what is your most vivid memory of that day?PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
I had a lot of memories that day. It was Andy Card whispering in my ear.MATT LAUER:
You were in a school in Florida.PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
I was. And I was listening to children read a book. And Andy says, “A second plane has hit the World Trade Center, America’s under attack.” My first reaction was anger. “How dare they do this to America?” And then I looked at the kids, and their innocence in contrast to the evil of the attackers became apparent to me. And I just knew that my job was to protect them.
On the Iraq War decision:
MATT LAUER:
You know, there were questions at the Pentagon. Colin Powell had questions. Brent Scowcroft, your father’s former National Security Advisor, and dear friend, wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, I’m paraphrasing here, saying, “It’s not a good idea to go to war in Iraq.” So there were dissenting voices.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
I was a dissenting voice. I didn’t want to use force. I mean force is the last option for a President. And I think it’s clear in the book that I gave diplomacy every chance to work. And I will also tell you the world’s better off without somehow in power. And so are 25 million Iraqis.MATT LAUER:
You know the question. If you knew then what you know now–PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
That’s right.MATT LAUER:
–you would still go to war in Iraq?PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
I– first of all, didn’t have that luxury. You just don’t have the luxury when you’re President. That’s a very hypothetical question. I will say definitely the world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power, as are 25 million people who now have a chance to live in freedom.History judges you on the decisions you make. Sometimes history doesn’t judge you on the absence of a decision. And I believe Saddam Hussein in the Middle East today, if he were there in power he would be enriched, he’d be emboldened. He would still have the capacity to make weapons of mass destruction, whether we found the vats of weapons of mass destruction. And I believe it’s likely you’d be seeing a nuclear arms race between Iran and Iraq. And the world would be much more unstable. And America would be– less secure.
On Kanye West calling him a racist:
MATT LAUER:
You remember what he said?PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
Yes, I do. He called me a racist.
MATT LAUER:
Well, what he said, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.”PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
That’s — “he’s a racist.” And I didn’t appreciate it then. I don’t appreciate it now. It’s one thing to say, “I don’t appreciate the way he’s handled his business.” It’s another thing to say, “This man’s a racist.” I resent it, it’s not true, and it was one of the most disgusting moments in my Presidency.MATT LAUER:
This from the book. “Five years later I can barely write those words without feeling disgust.” You go on. “I faced a lot of criticism as President. I didn’t like hearing people claim that I lied about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction or cut taxes to benefit the rich. But the suggestion that I was racist because of the response to Katrina represented an all time low.”PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
Yeah. I still feel that way as you read those words. I felt ‘em when I heard ‘em, felt ‘em when I wrote ‘em and I felt ‘em when I’m listening to ‘em.
On his DUI:
MATT LAUER:
Yeah. I mean you get pulled over. You’d been drinking heavily. I think you called it an Aussie kind of drinking.GEORGE W. BUSH:
With John Newcomb (PH). I’m– here’s the former President telling you. But I’m drinking no hands at a bar, yeah.MATT LAUER:
Reaching’ down with your mouth, grabbing the glass.GEORGE W. BUSH:
So he’s taught me how to do this. And of course I have to be a follower at this point in time. And so– yeah, I drink it. I’m going ten miles an hour, both wheels on the sidewalk. And I get pulled over by Calvin, the local policeman, plead guilty, paid my fine.MATT LAUER:
DUI.GEORGE W. BUSH:
Yeah, DUI.MATT LAUER:
You didn’t tell anybody. I mean I guess the person closest to you knew. But it’s not a story you related to anyone of importance for a very long time.GEORGE W. BUSH:
Yeah. I mean everybody knew.MATT LAUER:
Right.GEORGE W. BUSH:
But it– for a while, it didn’t matter. And then, all of a sudden, I’m in politics, and my girls are getting ready to drive.MATT LAUER:
Right.GEORGE W. BUSH:
And I make the decision not to go public with this story because I didn’t want them to say, “Hey, Dad did it, and so can I.” I mean I was worried about them driving and drinking. And it was– I made a huge political mistake, and a miscalculation.
The interview, which will air on NBC on Monday, November 8 at 8 p.m. E, is Bush’s first one-on-one sit-down since leaving the White House. It marks the beginning of the media tour for his new book Decision Points.
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Comments (82)
lketchum
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:14pmI have so many stories about W. and his Dad. Both are great men, and when the entire truth is told, W. will be remembered as one of the greatest Presidents of all time.
A good friend of mine, who is also a small business owner, was fond of telling a story about W. His wife’s brother was at the right hand of the President and four others before him – he was on the Presidentail Security Detail. He said, and I do quote: “I have served five Presidents and George W. Bush is not only the best President I have ever served, he is the best man I have ever known.”
Such a statement from a career Secret Service agent at that level is quite something. W. was incredible. When he would go into shattered churches in our state after terrible storms and tornados, he’d go alone and not allow his detail to go in with him. A local reporter asked: “Who would have ever thought that a President would go into such a place alone, just to console people. Who protects him when he will not allow you all to go with him?” The Secret Service agent responded: “A much higher power protects that man when he is alone in places like that. None of us have any fear at all that any harm will come to him.”
Without question there is a President George W. Bush that very few have seen. He never defended himself, or his presidency. He did the peoples’ work and served them well. He got that from his Dad and his Mom. His Dad was an awesome man, by the way. He loved this country with a great and noble heart.
Report Post »tea bagging patriot
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:28pmlketchum,
You are absolutely correct, love for your country is all it takes to be a great president.
Things like understanding of economic or foreign policy, or a belief in the freedoms guaranteed in the constitution are unimportant.
As long as someone can walk in a church and not be killed, they would obviously make a great president.
GeeWhiz
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 12:31amWell, are you speaking about Bush or Obama? He doesn’t know squat about the Constitution, and what he knows he doesn’t like. His foreign policy has been called juvenile by other heads of state and his dismal handling of our economy is well known.
Report Post »tea bagging patriot
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 12:48amYes Geewhiz, I like your reasoning.
We in the teaparty should make the standard that if you are the least bit better than Obama than you must be a great president.
That is why we support Sarah Palin in 2012. She can run as the I’m not quite as bad as Obama candidate.
Jezreel
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:09pmBush is a progressive and I am doubtful about his honesty about 9/11 but I still prefer him over Obama
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:57pmGeorge W. Bush may not have been a great conservative, but I believe he was honest, sincere in his convictions, wanting to do the best for America and to advance freedom both here and abroad. That’s a helluva lot more than can be said about the Soros Sock Puppet in the white House now.
Report Post »Anti-Demopublican
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:46pmJust because we went from bad ( Good ‘Ol G Dub) to worse (President Barry Bush) in no way means this man will ever be remembered as great. That is just a utter delusion and he deserves to go down in history as one of the worst Presidents we have ever had.
Report Post »free2bme1961
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:37pmI always liked him, he was cute, funny, and had a convincing way about him…until, I realized he that helped to take many of our freedoms away:
On October 26, 2001, President George W. Bush signed the USA Patriot Act. Section 213 delays warrants. They can sneak into your home for any reason, take what ever they want and never tell you they were there and there are NO sunset provisions.
POLICE STATE MEASURES IN THE BILL ARE NOT SUNSETTED. THE MEDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE LYING TO YOU.)
SEC. 802. DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM.
One sure way to determine who designed the societal system is to look at who it benefits. That’s a no brainer. The education system was designed to get everybody to think the same way which makes it easier to control the collective.
Most Americans do not recognize that Congress had passed a bill that would give the government expanded power to invade our privacy, imprison people without due process and punish dissent.
Some of the fundamental changes to Americans’ legal rights by the Bush administration and the USA Patriot Act following the terror attacks:
* FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
Government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity to assist terror investigation.
* FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Government has closed once-public immigration hearings, has secretly detained hundreds of people without charges, and has encouraged bureaucrats to resist public records requests.
* FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.
* RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION
Government may monitor federal prison jailhouse conversations between attorneys and clients, and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.
* FREEDOM FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCHES
Government may search and seize Americans’ papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.
* RIGHT TO A SPEEDY AND PUBLIC TRIAL
Government may jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.
* RIGHT TO LIBERTY
Report Post »Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.
Anti-Demopublican
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:52pmWhat are you talking about the Patriot Act is here to help us. That’s why G Dubs #1 student President Barry Bush has kept it in tact as well as jamming bills passed in the middle of the night when no one is looking down our throats, Barry learned a lot from his great teacher. BTW miss him yet ( I don’t hes still in office)
Report Post »free2bme1961
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:16pm@ANTI-WHAT? I am truly saddened that most do not realize the extent of damage that most of the presidents have caused; the division in the country will be a huge factor in our future; and the lack of discernment to really, really, understand that each elected official takes more freedoms…it does not matter which party they belong to. KNOWLEDGE IS FREEDOM~~UNITED WE STAND-DIVIDED WE FALL!
Report Post »Also, when bills/laws are passed without our knowledge, like healthcare? why would this be done in secrecy if there was nothing to hide? and the many that have questions about the UFO secrecy….I can’t speak for everyone else, but I do not trust anyone that does something behind my back, and keeps secrets from me; especially someone that wants me to put my trust in them….
.
Anti-Demopublican
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:36pmVery true. Which is why we need a 2nd party in this country. Our demo-publican 1 party system divides us the people more and more while insuring they remain in power and continue to steal our freedoms then point there finger at there colleagues.
Report Post »jeffdubya
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 4:56pmAmen!!!
Report Post »Okieflyover
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:35pmObama could serve 5 terms and never bring the class to the office that the Bush’s did. You can disagree their actions or policies but they never lowered the view of the Office of the Presidency like Obama has and how Clinton did before him.
Report Post »Masamune
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:30pm100 years from now, history will definitely remember George W. Bush differently than how he is viewed now. The President is right, history judges you on the decisions you make and not usually on the absence of them. I agree with him that the world is better off without Saddam because the last thing we would need right now is an arms race between Iraq and Iran, especially with Obama in office. That’s one good thing Barack is going to do. Thanks to him, W’s reputation will simply get better and better with time.
Report Post »lookn4nrml
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:19pmPresident George W. Bush and his Dad, President George H. W. Bush, with Nolan Ryan at the Ranger’s World Series game the other night, throwing out the first pitch was so so sweet. You could feel how much the crowd truly loves and respects these good men.
Report Post »woody wilson
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:14pmWhere does this guy get off being such a good guy. Doesn’t he know Presidents are supposed to be evil jerks.
Report Post »SDMF
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:14pmI do think he is an honest person. But whether by congress’ hand or his, our federal budget was annihilated under his administration. Some of the most irresponsible policies in our nation’s history were enacted and the deficit went to levels here-to-for unseen. I do believe he is not an evil person, just someone who really helped further many progressive ideals under the guise of “compassionate conservatism”. Unknown to me is whether he just didn’t read the legislation passing before him, or he really did think that he was doing the right things. Either way is does take a lot of guts to talk about the things that happened from his point of view. Especially to a complete jerk like Matt Lauer.
Report Post »midwestern soul
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:10pmThis man cared for every American deeply. I still feel it when I see him. If the true American story survives this current administration, then he will most certainly be remembered for being on the right side of history.
Report Post »And Kanye West is an asshat.
RightWingRyan
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:03pmGenuine!
Report Post »Fedup
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:01pmGod Bless you, our beloved W. We have missed you since the day you left office. We always knew that you were all Americans’ President, not just those who voted for you. We no longer have that luxury. We now have a President that refers to half the American electorate as “our enemies”.
So thank you, President George W. Bush for your service. History will remember you kindly as well it should. Keep the faith.
Report Post »JabaTheFat
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:56pmTo Common everyday Citizen. I agree. President Bush should not have given an interview to such a man
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:56pmHe is hated by the left precisely because he is a good man.
Report Post »13thGenerationAmerican
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:10pmI think he is hated by people who’s families lost loved ones over oil. You ought to think about how the dead on both sides feel, I guarantee you, they wouldn‘t be praising him and I’m quite sure God doesn’t like to see innocent people murdered no matter who they are.
UrsaMajor
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:58pmYeah… I clearly remember the tanker upon tanker upon tanker of oil that crowded the harbors. That’s when gas is only fifty cents per gallon now…. all that Iraq oil we got.
Report Post »GeeWhiz
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 12:28am13th generation, are you aware that the contracts for Iraqi oil didn’t go to us?
Of course you aren’t. Seriously, dur. I heard that canard back in CA during GW I and the same thing was said. It’s like liberal random association: “Middle East”….Uh, oil?
Uh, no. Use your mad Google skills and find out what oil companies received contracts from Iraq and then get back to us.
Report Post »inferno
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:41pmAbsolutely correct. George W. was a target of the left, when he stated in his debate with ALgore
Report Post »that Jeus Christ was his favorite philosopher. From that day forward, he had a target on his back.
All the negative energy the left could muster, was aimed at destroying him.. The defense of our security in Iraq and Afghanistan, gave them the excuse they needed. Had that not occured, they
would have found other issues to condemn him for. They still see his very existence as a threat.
Canuck GB Fan
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:55pmCan’t wait to watch this and read his book-I miss him! Class and humility.
Report Post »gracie07
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:34ami agree, Bush was a great president. he led our country during one of it’s roughest times and did a fantastic job. the true measure of a great leader is how they lead and Bush led with a strength and inner faith that obama doesn’t possess.
Thank you President Bush!
Report Post »dkhartman
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:52pmAHHHH can’t wait to READ THIS!
Report Post »Citizen7154
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:52pmIt is a shame it was leaked. It is always interesting to hear an important decision makers thought process. I look forward to hearing more.
Report Post »common everyday citizen
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:51pmA liar and a suck up pawn….just great!
Report Post »trukmek
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:49pmAdmits to the good and bad. I do not think a demo or liberal would do that.
Report Post »JabaTheFat
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:49pmMiss him yet?
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 12:04amAbsolutely. What a class act this great American is, something the current president could really learn from.
Report Post »christine1997
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:47pmHe will go down in History as a great President……..Best of luck President Bush……
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:46pmHistory will prove he was one of the greatest American Presidents ever.
Report Post »13thGenerationAmerican
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:07pmYou’ve got to be kidding; right?
Report Post »CowboyExpat
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 1:58amTell it @truthtalker… 13 is suffocatiing with his head in the sand.
Report Post »jeffdubya
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 4:55pmHe may be a decent man, a good guy… but he was a damnable PROGRESSIVE. My GOD some of you people are sheep. If he had his way, Roberts wouldn’t be on the Supreme Court, and a million illegals would have amnesty. Thank him for the patriot act and TARP while you sing his praises. Just because someone has an amiable personality does not make them a good president.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:46pmGod bless this wonderful Honest man, our last great American President. here’s hoping 2012 brings us another Real American who we can trust and will help America get back on our feet STRONG and PROUD, and who will honor our Country as devotedly as President Bush honestly tried to. we haven’t felt safe without ya, W.
Report Post »chexfive
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 1:37amAn honest man abides by the law and encourages the enforcement of them, not the disobeying of them. Remember his new world order speech? A globalist progressive hack that also was and probably still is involved in the north American union which erases our borders and sovereignty.
The bailouts?
The huge spending?
The wide open borders while we are at war?
An honest person? I guess Obama is a saint too. These hacks are two of a kind.
And the elections probably could have been better for the republicans if the OLD establishment republicans would not have been paraded out with a couple of weeks till elections, all that did was remind people of the very reason they fled to Obama, because the old repuklian sold out America, just like Obama is doing.
I just don’t get how all these Obama supporters are coming to a beck website, masked as republicans and tea party members. I don’t know of a tea party member that thinks bush was great, the tea party people I know see no difference in bush and Obama. The old two party system, a bunch of hacks leading the blind.
Report Post »LadyLiberty
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:43pmI miss you George. Sincerely and utterly.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:08pmHope and Pray that God sends a leader who puts the country first, along with the people, and who sticks to the constitution of our great country. Tough times be at hand, and yet Americans always are up to the challenge – The tiger roars fiercly and we roar back many times greater and louder.
Report Post »tea bagging patriot
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:35pmWe all miss him.
I especially miss the way he gave our tax dollars to great american companies like GM, AIG, and Citi Group. But I think what I miss most was the wonderfull 750 billion dollar programs like TARP that he came up with on his way out of town.
Yes, this was a great man, and a true conservative.
sportlock
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:58pmMark my words. Overtime the facts will be without a doubt GWB was not remotely as bad of a president as the MSM has portrayed him to be. Funny how Beck says Pres. Obama is racist and that made him a racist, Kanye West, not so much. Now the American voters see the MSM will attempt to demonize anyone that has a differing opinion, even their own. See; Juan Williams
Report Post »Impeach-BO
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 1:01amTea Bagging (no patriot), really its only Matty1631. You lose, again. Take your failed Barry Hussein Obama policies and also your Nancy POS Pelosi and go bag on that. haha
You and your union thungs can cry a pitty party.
Report Post »tea bagging patriot
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 1:09amImpeach-bo,
You are obviously a marxist communist, liberal union member. I have spoken to the tea party leadership, and we have decided that you opinions will be dismissed as communist propoganda.
Also you will not be invited to the tea bagging party in washington tonight.
Impeach-BO
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 1:20amI’m already in Washington at the Tea Party, I don’t see you. haha You lose!
Report Post »norway1516
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:46amgeorge bush is still a far better president than Obama….I never agreed with everything he did, I always felt he put america first unlike our current president and democratic control…I will help to make sure he at least gets a fair shake.
Report Post »restless 1
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:09amYeah, I miss him too, but the reality is, he was just better than Gore or Kerry. His domestic policies were a liberal’s wet dream. But he did put America first re. WOT, and he did great things to combat AIDS in Africa.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:49pmI miss him as President as well. No honest person can doubt his sincere love of this country. No honest person can doubt Obama’s sincere disgust of this country. Stark difference.
Report Post »