Kanye West Insult Worst Moment of George W. Bush Presidency, Says George W. Bush
As dawn rises on the results of the Republican tidal wave that swept through Election Day, let's all go back to a similar time period: George W. Bush's presidency. A time when 9/11 happened, the Iraq war started, Hurricane Katrina struck, the war in Afghanistan started and the country was guided straight into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. With so many lows to choose from, what does the former president say was the worst moment of his two terms in the White House? That time when Kanye West called him a racist, of course!
In his new memoir, Decision Points, Bush cites Kanye's infamous "George Bush doesn't care about black people" ab-lib* during the Hurricane Katrina telethon as rock-bottom. Here's his pre-taped interview with Matt Lauer, which is scheduled to air on Monday:
"He called me a racist," Bush tells Lauer. "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."
Lauer quotes from Bush's new book: "Five years later I can barely write those words without feeling disgust." Lauer adds, "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 Bush responds: "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.
Lauer: "You say you told Laura at the time it was the worst moment of your Presidency?"
Bush: "Yes. My record was strong I felt when it came to race relations and giving people a chance. And it was a disgusting moment."
Lauer: "I wonder if some people are going to read that, now that you've written it, and they might give you some heat for that. And the reason is this -- "
Bush [interrupting]: "Don't care."
Lauer: "Well, here's the reason. You're not saying that the worst moment in you're Presidency was watching the misery in Louisiana. You're saying it was when someone insulted you because of that."
Bush: "No, and I also make it clear that the misery in Louisiana affected me deeply as well. There's a lot of tough moments in the book. And it was a disgusting moment, pure and simple."
Obviously, Bush is going to be raked over the coals for this, which is yet another example of him putting blinders on his time as Commander in Chief. (Remember when he couldn't think of one thing he would have done differently?) But, you can actually slightly understand where Bush is coming from. As president, being criticized about your policies, politics and response to crisis is part of the job description; being personally called a racist by a major icon on a nationally televised stage, is not.
You almost feel for the guy...until you remember Barack Obama is called far worse on a daily basis (Communist, Socialist, Manchurian Candidate, etc.) and Bush was president on Sept. 11, 2001. Good try, though, George.
(*Is Mike Myers' face during that clip ever not funny?)
· George Bush really does not 'appreciate' Kanye West's Katrina criticism: 'The worst moment of my Presidency' [EW via Vulture]
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I hate signing onto my beloved movie line and seeing that face. I've already had way too much Republican for one day, and this is the icing on the red cake.
You're telling me that an infrequently-sentient circus peanut who can't pronounce the word "library" wrote a book? Sure... Now try and dazzle us with wild tales that said circus peanut was "the leader of the free world" for, say, "eight years".
I'll bet the proofreaders had a field day with this book. I would love to read the original draft.... "This memwa gives me the oppurtunity to set the record strate on a lot of presidentiul stuff."
I'll bet the proofreaders had a field day with this book. I would love to read the original draft.... "This memwa gives me the oppurtunity to set the record strate on a lot of presidentiul stuff."
He is disgusted by someone saying he doesn't care about black people but when Lauer goes to tell him how people might feel his reaction is "Don't Care"?
I am totally in love with this story! George W Bush never ceases to amaze me. So, this was really the lowest point in his Presidency? I can think of 15 or 20 instances that should have been on the top of his list.
The Iraq criticism is that he sent people in to die for no reason. The Katrina criticism is that he left people to die for no reason. Shouldn't he find this recurring perception of him being a sociopath, pursuing "Hey, everybody's gotta go sometime" policies, more disturbing than racism?
If I were in his shoes, which could never happen thank God, I would be more disgusted at the way Katrina was handled. Presidents get called all kinds of names some of which are not true. Ask Obama. But, one must have thick skin for the job and understand the nature of opinions. What happened to the citizens of New Orleans during Katrina was an absolute travesty and was one of this country's lowest moments in my opinion. To look on television and see the streets filled with dead bodies was unbelievable. I thought I was looking at a catastrophe in India. Then you hear him tell his flunky's what a good job they were doing! But what is his gripe; being called a racist by a rapper and he resents it. I resent watching the people of New Orleans suffer because of an idiot president and his equally idiotic flunkies.
Typical liberal idiot media garbage.
Wow Matt, what a fantastic, thought out response. You're so mentally well put together that I wait joyously for you to return with another snippet of depth and wit.
1....2....4.....6....7...9.... people sucking barack's man pole hard.. ease up... you might make it obvious
I hate how people are so fast to damn George W. Bush. They blame him for the economy which is simply not his fault, that all started when Clinton and his administration passed legislation to made banks give loans to people that could not afford them. Everything then snowballed from there and lets not forget that the house and senate was controlled by the democrats during his presidency which everyone seems to forget and neglect to mention. As for the wars he had to make the best decision with the information that was given to him. If you haven't noticed Obama now being president and having the same information has yet to pull out all of our troops and close G bay. As far as katrina goes the country has never seen devistation on that scale before. How can you judge one man for that natural disaster. Everyone seems to forget about the Gulf oil spill and how that was handled or should we say not handled by the Obama administration. People really need to open their eyes.
See, the irony is that you're the one with the purty mouth, boy.
Actually, Derp, YOUR post makes Matt look like a genius.
Now lemme hear ya squeal like a pig, boy.
See, for you "genius" probably ranks somewhere between a potato and hamster turds, and I'd definitely like to make Matt look like he's below a pile of hamster turds. So thank you, mission accomplished. Thanks for stating in your name oh so cleverly that I'm a douchebag (I already knew that), and before you even get to it, nice job jumping on the insult towards me that I so easily laid out for you in this post. (I'm trying to help make you look cool in front of your friends, this is where you say "LOL WAIT DERP TAT MEENS U R DUMMER TAN HAMPSTUR POOPS." Thank me later.)
So why is ML remarking on a pol's memoir?
Still pissed about Tuesday's anti-Obama message from the people, I guess.
I have an idea!! How about everyone quits bitching at each other, and we all go back to work. Maybe that is an actual job. Maybe that is looking for a job (for you who are unfortunate enough to have been laid off or underemployed). Or maybe, just maybe, trying to fix this mess. Cause you know what?!?!?! Don't expect anyone to do anything for you....you are responsible for you, no excuses. Stop complaining about what is going on in the world. Stop pointing fingers. Get off your ass and change it. No one has any right to complain unless it is followed with your solution. I am so sick of everyone complaining! I understand hardship...there is only one way out of it...hard work, positivity, and determination. Teach your children these skills, and they won't have these problems.
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I do not remember anyone calling Barack Obama a communist today, or yesterday. But if they did what is wrong with that? This is exactly what Bush is talking about. Criticize from a policy standpoint, don't insult the person. Isn't that what the first amendment is all about; disagreeing with a politician about his policies?