Bush Defends Legancy Before Going Out
Washington – 16.01.09 – In his farewell bid, outgoing President George W. Bush defended his troubled legacy staunchly claiming he kept America safe since the infamous September 11th attacks. 
“There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results,” the Republican president said in his final televised address while preparing to handover the presidency to Democrat Barack Obama.
“America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil,” he added.
Some of Bush’s actions after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, such as establishing a detention center for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo and approving harsh interrogation methods that human rights groups said amounted to torture, severely damaged America’s image abroad. Obama has vowed to close the facility.
With the clock ticking down on a presidency many historians are already ranking among the worst ever, Bush and his aides used his last day of public events before Inauguration Day to try to put a positive spin on his two terms in office.
Even as he focused on what he sees as his administration’s successes, Bush was preparing to leave Obama with unfinished wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a bitter conflict in the Gaza Strip and a U.S. economy deep in recession.
He repeated his warning that the gravest challenge facing his successor is the threat of another terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
“Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again,” Bush said in excerpts from a 13-minute speech to be delivered from the White House at 8 p.m. on Thursday (0100 GMT on Friday). “We must resist complacency.”
There was no reference in Bush’s prepared remarks to the battered economy, which polls show tops Americans’ concerns. Obama will inherit the worst financial crisis in 80 years, a meltdown that has sent shockwaves across the globe.
Farewell speeches are a ritual for departing U.S. leaders, but the stakes are especially high for Bush, who will step down with one of the lowest public approval ratings of any president in modern times — in the mid-20 percent range.
FOREIGN POLICY RECORD
In a final ceremony at the State Department earlier on Thursday, Bush defended his foreign policy record — from the unpopular war in Iraq to nuclear standoffs with Iran and North Korea. “We have made the world freer,” he said.
Bush touted security gains in Iraq as vindication for a U.S. troop buildup he ordered there at a time of rampant sectarian violence in 2007.
The Iraq war, launched without U.N. authorization in 2003, undercut U.S. credibility abroad and contributed to a resounding victory by Obama against John McCain, the nominee of Bush’s Republican Party, in the November election.
Bush also made clear he saw his failed effort to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians in his final year as not completely in vain, despite a 3-week-old Israel-Hamas war in Gaza with no end in sight.
“We outlined a vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security,” Bush said, although little concrete progress was actually made toward Palestinian statehood on his watch.
Bush also lauded his administration’s handling of Iran and North Korea, both of which have faced U.S.-led campaigns against their nuclear programs.
“We worked in a multilateral fashion to deal with issues like Iran and North Korea,” he said of his efforts to isolate two of the countries he once branded part of an “axis of evil.” Obama has said he would pursue direct diplomacy with foes.
“In Asia, we deepened our alliances with old friends, Japan and South Korea, and we strengthened ties with China,” Bush said, adding his administration had opened a new strategic partnership with India and battled AIDS in Africa.
In thanking U.S. diplomats for their work overseas, Bush also alluded to Afghanistan, where the Taliban is resurgent seven years after being ousted by U.S.-led forces. Critics say he neglected the conflict because he was distracted by Iraq.
Obama calls for supporting his economic rescue plan
In one of the starkest warnings given out by president-elect Barack Obama he stated that the United States economy faces a risk of going on a downward spiral journey that could last for years if his initiated rescue plan is not implemented and supported to its fullest.
His aides have been placing pressure on him to back down until he assumes office saying that the country can have only one president at a time. He brushed aside the appeal of his aides and boldly made the statement public. Such deep involvement by a president elect before taking office has rarely been witnessed. Yet on the Gaza issue Mr. Obama has remained silent.
Mr. Obama had a consultation with Bush in the White House a day before which is what sparked the future president to make his appeal. He warned
“This recession could linger for years.” His solution to the problem is a massive job creation program along with major tax cuts which he wants the congress to adopt as soon as possible.
The future president said “I don’t believe it’s too late to change course, but it will be if we don’t take dramatic action as soon as possible. If nothing is done… the unemployment rate could reach double digits.” He said the economic meltdown had followed “after a period of profound irresponsibility.” From the common American citizen to the political leaders and specifically the Wall Street have been irresponsible regarding the economy which is why the country is in the current problem.
Mr. Obama has been intervening in matters of the economy since the last four days. Yesterday’s efforts were however the most high profile involvement that he has shown so far. He addressed those Republicans that that had been criticizing his program saying in his own defense that the rescue initiative was more than “just a public works programme.” The program, if implemented is aimed at creating over three million jobs that is going to “spark the creation of a new clean energy economy.”
The president elect has also shown interested in making renewable energy sources more accessible. He aims to double the amount that is currently being generated so that around 75% of the government buildings can be made more energy efficient along with a large number of homes. These measures would enable the U.S to save billions of dollars and create millions of jobs.
Obama increases tax cuts, says lawmakers will approve soon
President-Barack Obama realizes that the economy of the country is going from bad to worse which is why he aims to step up the proposed tax cut program. In a meeting with congressional leaders on Monday Mr. Obama said that the tax cuts could reach up to $3 billion. He predicts that the lawmakers would not hesitate to approve the big time revitalization package a fortnight after he takes office. 
The proposed plan stretches over the next to years. Its approval and implementation would bear instant fruit for the masses in the form of larger paychecks immediately. This would be made possible by the tax cut which the government would lower. The aim behind lowering the tax cut is to give a boost to the fading consumer spending which is having a profound effect on the economy.
Mr. Obama said “The economy is very sick, the situation is getting worse. … We have to act and act now to break the momentum of this recession.” Obama realizes that he still has two weeks to go until he takes office and hence he cannot exercise his full will when it comes to foreign affairs. But when it comes to the economy Mr. Obama said he cannot wait until he is sworn in as the President.
On arriving at Capitol Hill Mr. Obama said “The reason we are here today is because the people’s business cannot wait,” he went further on to say “I expect to be able to sign a bill shortly after taking office, by the end of January or the first of February.”
The proposal made by Mr. Obama for jolting the economy back to life includes tax cuts of around $300 billion. This would mean a cut of $500 for the majority of individuals and $1000 for couples. Businesses would have $100 billion lowered in tax cuts. The eventual tax cuts amount is likely to exceed the amount that was estimated earlier.
The overall package including the new federal spending that has been initiated for the purpose of boosting the economy could take the entire package up to $800 billion. A staggering $77 billion will go into the expanding of unemployment funds as the number of jobless people increases. There is also the need to subsidize health care for the masses. The remaining about will be used to invest in projects that would create jobs for the jobless and long term goals such as energy conservation programs.
Richardson backs out of Commerce Secretary nomination.
The Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson was nominated by the U.S president elect Barack Obama for the post of commerce secretary. The nation’s most popular Hispanic politician however issued a statement on Sunday denying the offer saying that he was currently engaged with investigations into a company that was conducting business with New Mexico.
Mr. Richardson was keen on retaining his post as Governor of New Mexico and said in defense of his role “Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact.”
He made the decision after coming to a conclusion “that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.” The investigation that has commenced may is likely to continue for a couple of months.
President elect Barack Obama was acting in good speed in order to compile the list of cabinet nominees. The refusal of Mr. Richardson has been the biggest setback for the newly elected president since he went on his nominee selecting campaign. Mr. Obama was making his way to Hawaii for a family vacation when he heard the news. He had now choice but to accept Mr. Richardson’s decision but said that he does so with deep regret.
He said in praise of Mr. Richardson “Governor Richardson is an outstanding public servant and would have brought to the job of commerce secretary and our economic team great insights accumulated through an extraordinary career in federal and state office.”
The news came following the allegations that were leveled against Governor Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois stating that the individual was seeking a personal profit by nominating a successor to Mr. Obama in the Senate.
Currently the Federal grand jury of New Mexico is involved in investigations regarding the accusations that Mr. Richardson and his administration had granted contracts to a California based contractor who made a heavy contribution to the political action of the governor. These questions were bound to be raised in the Governor’s Senate confirmation hearings.
CDR Financial Products, the California based company managed to secure two consulting contracts that were worth $1.4 million in 2004. Investigations into the issue have been going on since August. Obama’s team vetting process is now being questioned for its thoroughness following the withdrawal of Mr. Richardson.