President Bush says he wants to be remembered as a president who stuck to his values. (GETTY IMAGES)
(CNN) – President Bush told an interviewer that his presidency may have helped Barack Obama win the White House.
"I think it was a repudiation of Republicans," he told Charlie Gibson of ABC News, according to a transcript released by the network Monday. "And I'm sure some people voted for Barack Obama because of me. I think most people voted for Barack Obama because they decided they wanted him to be in their living room for the next four years explaining policy."
Earlier: Bush reflects on legacy
As Obama — who made opposition to the war a centerpiece of his presidential run — continued to assemble his national security team, Bush would not say whether or not he would still have pushed for war with Iraq if he had known there were no weapon of mass destruction in that country.
"A lot of people put their reputations on the line and said the weapons of mass destruction is a reason to remove Saddam Hussein," Bush said. "It wasn't just people in my administration. A lot of members in Congress, prior to my arrival in Washington, D.C., during the debate on Iraq, a lot of leaders of nations around the world were all looking at the same intelligence.
"I wish the intelligence had been different, I guess," he said, but would not say whether he would have pressed forward with the decision to invade Iraq if he had known otherwise: "That is a do-over that I can't do."
Bush also said that his administration had pressed for tougher regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but that push had been short-circuited by politics. He also said that many of the decisions that led to the economic crisis came from Wall Street before he arrived in the White House.
“I'm a little upset that we didn't get the reforms to Fannie and Freddie - on Fannie and Freddie, because I think it would have helped a lot,” he said. “And when people review the history of this administration, people will say that this administration tried hard to get a regulator. And there will be a lot of analysis of why that didn't happen. I suspect people will find a lot of it didn't happen for pure political reasons.”
From CNN Politics
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Bush bashing begins in 3...2...1...
President Bush should have asked Charlie Gibson if he agreed with the "Bush Doctrine". Or better yet, he should have asked him what he tought the Bush Doctrine was when he asked Palin that question. Gibson is sush an ignorant reporter - he can read a question but his IQ on worldy matters is about 43
People voted for Barack Obama because of the diasters Bush
and the republicans brought to our country.
They have almost destroyed our country and have yet to face
or admit any responsibility or any indication they will join
forces to help resolve the problems.
Saw where the republicans are having fund raisers to help
fight the "left agenda", whatever that will be.
They have not and do not care about us or the future of our
country.
No doubt...
It's cool though... we have to do this once in awhile... one and done is fine... Carter's second term is all this will be...
I am Glade Bush is going .
Welcome to a mere fraction of the light, George. Unfortunately, in your egotistical, messianic stupor, you STILL think it's about you, Cowboy . You are so insignificant as a leader and will go down in history as the worst president ever to preside over our great nation. Thanks for making a complete mess out of the country that I love. Buh-bye!
Gee, do you think?
Gotta say it. As much as I don't agree with Bush on most things, I think he's right on this one................
you betcha!
good bye and good riddence.
I almost forgot he was still in office.
just send this man back to texas!!!!
how many more days now?
Okay, time to shut up Bush. We don't need you explaining why we voted for Obama. Get your gun and hunting hat, call the movers and pack the boxes. It is time to move out of the white house and give back to our economy by spending some of the millions you racked up in your investments in oil. Let's be honest about "what you did". You screwed AMERICANS for your own selfish needs.
W, I'm sure you are a nice guy, and this time you ARE correct, the country could not endure another four years of your failed policies (both domestic and foreign) that would have continued in a John McCain or any Republican Administration, and Barack Obama was our answer.
Have a good retirement.
Buh Bye
Boy! He sure hit it on the nail!! Yeah, Obama should KISS and HUG him. McCain and Palin were both riding past Obama by 10 points.
You think? Look Mr. Bush, you are a BIG part of the reason why Mr. Obama won, so I thank you for that. You were such a bad president with your cowboy attitude that at this point, americans are willing to try anything.
FOUR MORE YEARS!
Bush is smarter than I thought he was! He FINALLY got the message!
Don't be so hard on yourself Mr. Bush.
While you are correct, the key word is 'some' of them voted for Obama because of you. But 'some' voted for him because of McCain, he's out of date, out of touch and out of morals. Then there's Palin, whom was the key to many OTHERS voting Obama: She's out of clues, out of brain and out of ethics. Then there is the rest of the Republicans, you know, all of the ones who let our economy sink in the toilet. The ones who voted for you, the one's who thought trickle down economics worked, the ones that are on trial.
Mr. Bush, you were a bad president, it's true. But it's the whole republican party that is to blame. They suck, really bad. We voted against ALL of them, not just you!
Dubya, you are an idiot, really.
America voted for Obama because your a stain on the presidency. You're delusional and in denial if you think or say anthing to the contrary.
In fact you and you administration should be brought up on war crimes against the American people and for treason for the way you have trampled on our Constitution...
I suspect people will find a lot of it didn't happen for pure political reasons.”
I agree! The Liberal Dems will be exposed for their Criminal Activity.
However that doesn't get back the wealth that was stolen!
I pray these days on the hour for our Great Nation!
We need Devine Intervention!
It will be a long strange 4 years ahead.
I can't believe the audacity of stupidity some Americans have please say it ain't so. We have a man about to be sworn in as America's President the country with the best intelligence in the world second to Israel maybe and people feel that the government is hiding his original certificate and what he has now is fake? That means Obama is able to swindle all of America? What an intelligent man or a stupid populace. Now i know why Bush left the money behind in No child left behind as per funding education. Ignorance is a disease meet the cure that is President Obama.
Voters voted for Obama in part because of Bush. No! Really?
No surprise coming from someone who was either clueless about the concerns of the populus, or just didn't care.
He didn't get it after the republicans got spanked in '06, and he is just getting it now. It's great to have a leader so tuned in to the concerns of the American public!
Can't wait for January 20!
No Mr. President. Not Some. A lot of us voted for Obama because of your failure.
I was not aware that GW knew the meaning of "repudiation."