President Bush on 'FNS'

" And hello again from Fox News in Washington -- President Bush's second term now winding down we had a chance to sit down with him this week. To talk about his time in office his plans after you lose the White House. And the incoming president. Our interview took place in the cabinet."

" The president thank you -- illness sir welcome back to Fox's Sunday thank you -- Lesson two weeks ago. For. He got got mixed emotions. I'm gonna miss. Being commander in chief of the military. Earlier this past week I had the honor of having him military parade that. You know said goodbye to the commander in chief and it was an emotional moment for me and Lauren line. Just -- think -- such great respect for the men and women who wear the uniform and have been through. A -- with them have called upon them to do hard tasks. I have met with the families of the fallen have been no Walter Reed to see who wounded -- I have been incredibly inspired. By their courage their bravery their sacrifice. I'm amidst all the folks who make her life so comfortable here in the White House. On the other hand I am looking forward to going back to Texas I love Texas. I love my wife. And you know I'm excited about the next chapter in my life and so all three of those things. You know of the -- part of -- Which could take place on January 20."

" People who come to see you here. And meet the view from outside. -- continually taken by surprise by the year evident. Good humor and good mood and the fact that people with low poll ratings and various -- study the country of all you've been through that you're not down -- did your fine. And everybody remarks. And explain."

" I'm better than fine. I am. I am proud of the accomplishments of this administration. I am thankful for the people that have worked so hard to serve our country I know I gave it my all. For eight years and I did not sell my soul for the sake of popularity. And so when I get back home and look in the mirror -- I will be proud of what I see."

" You have said that you did not. Compromise your principles and interest popularity. How would you describe those for it."

" Well one principle is I believe in the universality of freedom. That there's an almighty and a gift of that almighty to every man woman and child as freedom. And therefore it's incumbent upon those of us -- influence to act upon that. Principal and I give your classic example. And during that darkest days of Iraq of people came to me and said you're creating a incredible political difficulties for us. -- really were what would you suggest I do and this there's suggest some suggestion retreat. Pull out of Iraq. But I have faith that freedom. Existence people's souls and therefore if given a chance democracy. And Iraqi style democracy could survive and work. I didn't -- didn't compromise to principle for the sake of trying to you know bail out my political party for example. Talk to me about it for the presidency as you -- its powers and prerogatives. And how you feel you're leaving. My presidency was defined by. The attack. On the country. And therefore use the powers inherent in the constitution. To defend this country give them an intact. I found yes I did find the presidential powers intact I have. At times. Use those powers in ways that people had not anticipated. For example the idea of within the law. Being able to have our folks questioned. Known killers about their intention. How many of the decisions are made are being adjudicated and of course I have lived by -- future presidents will live by the by the decision the Supreme Court. But that as a wartime president. What would remain intact by the way with the constitution. Which we have honored."

" It has been that is going to argue that what you have sought to do was actually expanded. Because you know or. Some -- the vice president to restore them."

" A UC ICI CD the relationship between the presidency and the judiciary and the legislative branch has. Constantly changing. Throughout the history of the country and the key thing that's important is that they're still be checks and balances. And so however interpret the constitution. And I kept in mind what the constitution said the legality of what my decisions were but I also fully understood the checks and balances inherent."

" Our system. You've spoken of the tools. That you believe you put in place. Which your successor will inherit from us. How worried are you if at all that those tools will be eroded. Relinquished. In the because some of them have been. Slightly Curtis. To Senegalese."

" I would hope that the team. That is have the honor of serving the country we'll take a hard look. At the realities of the world. And the tools now in place. To protect the United States from further attack I would hope they would take a sober assessment. And I believe they will. What relief -- but they will find that with a considerable amount of care and concern. For civil liberties for example that I have put in place. Procedures that will enable the professionals. To better learn the intentions of al-Qaeda for example. He they will realize I think when they really studied the issue carefully that. That. We have gone from paying administration that was accused of not connecting dots. -- administration. Is connecting dots. You know linking pieces of information group better prepared to better protect the country with the civil liberties of our citizens in mind."

" Now the enhanced interrogation techniques as some call of torture as others and yes. -- being argued over to listen to this hour. Some are saying you never get any good information by rough stuff and others have said more than once that. If we had musings technique who would've had vital information and attacks have been or would have been carried out of this country your view that."

" My view is is that the techniques. Work -- work necessary and are necessary. -- to be used on a rare occasion to get information necessary to protect the American people. One such person who gave us information was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. He was the mastermind of the September the eleventh 2001 attacks secure -- killed nearly 3000 people on our soil. And I'm in the Oval Office. And I am told that we've captured Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and professionals believe he has information necessary to secure the country. So I ask what tools are available for us to find information from him and and they gave me a list of tools and exit are these tools deemed to be legal. And so we got legal opinions. Before any decision was made and I think when people studied history. Of this particular episode we'll find that we gained good information. From Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in order to protect our country well. How good -- how important what's kind of what we believe that the information we gained helped save lives on American soil could you be specific. Well I have said in speeches and as a matter of fact when this program was linked to the press actually gave a speech that. You can -- the American people yes we're doing this and but I have all the also emphasize we were doing with in the law but I understand why people. To get carried away on this issue but generally they don't know the facts. And and by the way want to have distinct things it did take place is before anything. Happens on this particular program that we did brief members of congress yes. We have an obligation to share information with the legislative branch. And all I can tell the American people -- we better have tools in place that our legal. And that can help us protect the American people from an enemy that still exists. And my mom -- my concern is not for the president elect Obama to have confidence that he understands. The nature of the world and understands the need to protect America but I am concerned. That America at some point in time lets down her guard. And if we ever do that the -- to become highly vulnerable."

" How Bailey wouldn't hurt your view if this disease and -- enhanced interrogation techniques as some call torture. Or abandoned. And we're not used yes well obviously I feel like. That would be a problem. Because these are tools. That we have in place. I -- I do want to you know I firmly reject the word torture cost -- everything this administration dead. Was had a you know a legal basis to otherwise we would not have done. A secondly everything we did was in consultation with professionals. In our government who understand. You know how to use techniques in a way that gets information. With you know within the law. Necessary to protect the American people. And I I just can't imagine. Would -- be like to be present without these tools available and we captured a known killer who might have information about the next attack on America. I am I am. See what what what some don't understand evidently is that we're at war. And it's a different kind of war we're enemies is -- actual warfare and they lie and wait. And -- soft spot ready to attack again and they're willing to kill as many innocent people as they can to advance their agenda."

" Speaking of professionals. In the intelligence area how you view. The selection of Leon Panetta they had to see."

" I really don't feel comfortable commenting upon. -- president elect Obama's. Suppose -- choices. In this case. My only advice. Would be to recognize. That the CIA is full of incredibly bright. Hard working. Decent professionals who got one thing in mind and that is to serve the United States. "

" Yet this administration dishonest and has been bedeviled. By intelligence -- believed to have come from the CIA -- There has been a good degree of tension I think it's. It's probably understand say between. The administration. For the White House at least."

" And the CIA I don't think so -- I think that there I think that there have been disappointing moments. When information. Came out of the agency. That. But the relationship has been fabulous. Up and down the line with the CIA bill yeah I would say. I feel that they're quite frequently and are have gone after. Fairly often and especially to put it and you know 99% of people that there are. Anxious to help the administration do its job and a good way and he can't stop leaks. And you know I people who are linking but I can assure you the vast majority of people in the CA were very cooperative and have my highest respect. I mean with the CIA. Every day. First have their presence except for Sundays since I've been present at the same time. 7:30 on Saturday 8 o'clock on every other day and I I would tell you that it is a fascinating experience. To be briefed by CAA CIA analysts it's like taking a geopolitical course. And I international affairs course every single day of the presence."

" You've had now some -- to maybe Barack Obama gives them a little bit betterment you really didn't know. Editors and managers are actually go it was very straightforward. Did you find it. That I liken it to. We use -- allows -- listen man is obviously a charismatic person. And the man is is able to persuade people that they should trust him he's got he's got something that -- for and was. You know wish him all the best of that the reason we have had the dinner -- the lunch right -- in Texas to lunch at the White House. What's so that. He could hear from. The current president and former president that we want to -- succeed. And that. He's an engaging person and I am very impressed by. The priority he places on his family."

" Now. Your political Republican Party if there. What do you think -- Clinton forces going forward you left it was. I think primitive obviously got whipped. In 2000 and a and there will be a new wave of leadership. Arriving on the scene. I can remember the 64 elections. The goal water the Johnson landslide against sprinkle water and you know we were good -- everybody -- the party was wiped out. And then a whole new wave of Republicans ran including George HW bush got elected to United States congress from the seventh congressional district same thing will happen. But it's very important for our party. Not to narrow its focus. Not to become so inward looking. That we drive people away from a philosophy that is compassionate and decent. And -- with my call for our party is to be open minded. About a -- different for different people's opinions and you we should have litmus test as to whether or not you can be a Republican. And we should be open minded. About big issues like immigration reform. Because if we're viewed as anti somebody. -- was if the party is viewed as anti immigrant. Then another -- may say well if they're -- they made against me we've got to be a party for. A better future and for --"

" New ideas out there that that have not been part of your own agenda or those of you are Republican predecessors might reignited the party's fortunes."

" And I I think that we shouldn't change our philosophy. We may want to change our messaging. We definitely want to change messengers. A community group a leaders. You know but the -- and actually you know you're seeing the emergence. Well I needed I had one in mind whose but he evidently. Didn't agree with his older brother usually you've been -- relationship governor Jeb Bush but are there a lesson there will be. You know who the leaders -- there's a lot of bright young guys and and women in our party that will. That will emerge and parties go through cycles. Have been part time to our political issue when the Democrats have felt like there was no future for them. And and so it I'm optimistic about it I I don't want the party feel like it's got itself. It's sold on defending the country that freedom is transforming event we've got to be compassionate conservatives that tech low taxes make sense. That the military needs to be supported him and there's there's a lot of his basic tenets to our party and make a lot of sense of the average person."

" You have indicated that you felt the fear of the fascinating everybody doesn't probably the most -- job in the world. Now you go from doing Luther -- job we'll -- hanging out on your own. And you feel about -- You know I think that life is going to be like to sort of -- day we'd be more more time in Dallas more time into ranch having."

" And if this isn't a question and if -- begin to think about that because I can remember with a great sense of anticipation. Coming to Washington DC to be the president of the United States. And I I have a the same. Sense of anticipation heading out of political life but with without the groups since the gravity. And so I if I don't I'm going to be fairly footloose. For awhile confident -- have enough tasks for me to keep me busy that. I I imagine I'll spend a fair amount of time in Dallas working on the policy center that will be associated with a library on the SMU campus and I'm excited about that. Because I do want to continue to promote. Not a political party not my personality or my record but a set of values that I think are very important for the country. And in our plan -- writing a book."

" Do I do this year presidency 88. And -- quite exactly sure what is going to leave it. I'm I'm toying with the idea of maybe describing it the toughest decisions ahead to make as president and the context in which -- made them. Because one of the things are so elusive book and."

" That's a kind of question amber Williams took some urgency -- two years ago before now. I mean yeah I'd like to get -- I am a type a personality that you know the you know I'm require things to do and I've met once again going on this on this bookmobile would get it done but it's at one it will what's evident. To me is that. It is very hard for people to remember what life was like. A mere four or five years ago. And this can be very important for me we create the environment in which I had to make certain decisions. Particularly the environment right after September the eleventh 2001."

" The president thank you for this please there was -- take a break recently returned. We'll have a special visitor and with --"