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Decision Points
Bush: For future observers, a context for his administration.
Photo by Mei-Chun Jau
On the occasion of the publication of his memoir, Decision Points, and in his first newspaper interview since leaving the White House, a relaxed, introspective former President George W. Bush (MBA ’75) said, “I readily concede I could have done things better,” as he spoke about many aspects and issues of his presidency (USA Today, November 9, 2010). Regarding the financial crisis, Bush said that Congress ignored his administration’s urgings to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “The house of cards was built on, you know, risky loans, and I was blindsided by the extent of the crisis,” he declared. As for the TARP rescue, Bush explained, “My instincts were to let everybody fail, but I was concerned about a depression.…I had to set ideology aside.” He added that he couldn’t prove his decision prevented a depression, “but I can say we didn’t have one.”
His book is not intended to change people’s minds, Bush observed; rather, “I’m trying to give modern-day readers and future readers a context for my administration.” After promoting the book, he will be happy to step out of the spotlight: “I have peace in my heart, I truly do, and I have zero desire to try to battle for reputation. One of the sacrifices one makes when you run and win the presidency is you lose your anonymity forever. I’m trying to regain my anonymity.”
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