Back in Texas, now former president George W. Bush, spoke to his true believers. The only major news channel to carry the speech live was Fox News. All the others were distracted by something happening in Washington DC.
The faithful say goodbye to Bush at YouTube :
"He SHOULD return home with his head held high. His accomplishments will only be realized in the history books of our children and grandchildren. Thank you, Mr. President. You made me feel like a true U.S. patriot. Good job, sir.""Bush is the man""thank you BUSH may you be safe welcome home."
"America did not deserve someone of your characte, Mr. Bush.""Thank You President Bush for putting America first and popularity last. You will be missed. I just hope we survive these next four years...."
"I'm thankful for our safety, tax cuts and two new conservative justices on the Supreme Court. Thank you President Bush."
On his last day as president, he had a typical morning at the White House, according to departing White House Press Secretary Dana Perino. He spoke with outgoing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other aides, then took a walk around the White House grounds.
"He's the president of the United States, the way he always is," Perino said. "He hasn't changed. He gave me a big kiss on the forehead."
Bush kept with presidential tradition, leaving new President Barack Obama a personal letter in the drawer of the desk in the Oval Office.
Bush was accompanied on his last day by first lady Laura Bush, by his parents, former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, daughters Barbara and Jenna and son-in-law Henry Hager.
The family members were part of the former president's entourage to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to board what had been Air Force One — now designated Special Air Mission 28000 — as he returned home to Texas, stopping first at a welcome celebration in Midland and then on to Waco and his nearby Crawford ranch.
The Bush team on board was a who's who of his former closest aides: Karl Rove, Karen Hughes, Dan Bartlett, Joe Allbaugh and Ed Gillespie. Longtime Texas friends Don Evans, who was commerce secretary in Bush's first term; Alberto Gonzales, the attorney general who left under a cloud; Harriet Miers, the former White House counsel who withdrew as a Supreme Court nominee; and Tom Schieffer, Bush's former partner in the Texas Rangers, who served as U.S. ambassador to Japan and, earlier, to Australia.
