The “disappointments” are better termed as massive failures—
Katrina:
Bush failed to react appropriately to Katrina- also the decision to downgrade FEMA , cut its budget in half, and appoint another boob to head it, rests solely on his shoulders. FEMA functioned efficiently during the Clinton years.

Iraq:

Bush appointed Rummy- then kept him in the Cabinet, despite signs that he could not work with the Pentagon– leading to unnecessary loss of life and destruction of property. His VP and neocon advisors were so determined to invade Iraq —before 9/11—- that they jumped on any flimsy or forged evidence that they could to drive us into war. In the meantime, reports from our intelligence agencies that warned of the difficulty of the missioin were ignored.

The environment-
Bush protected his corporate sponsors at any cost here— refusing to allow government scientists to speak frankly about global warming, and handicapping the EPA. The story of Cheney's meeting with Big Oil CEO's who were allowed unprecedented input into determining our energy policy (and the total shutout of environmentalists) is now well known. Bush also thumbed his nose at our European allies who were trying to control warming with the Kyoto Treaty.

DOJ
The DOJ scandals are also well known. Justice lawyer John Yoo wrote the infamous “Torture Memorandum” and the plot to rid the US atty's office of any USA's who were not cooperative Bushies was revealed during congressional hearings. Warrantless wiretaps were also a scandalous issue.

The economy:
Both Bush and Clinton bear some responsibility here– but Clinton was able to leave the country with a surplus— the Bush tax cuts quickly created a deficit. Bush leaves us in the worst economic shape since the Great Depression- and no one knows how low we will go.

Sorry- I don't see how a few glib words can counteract the damage that has been done to this country. The average person had no representation during the Bush years– but big corporate lobbyists got plenty of access. What really counts is performance not personality- After all Bush was not hosting the “Tonight Show”- he was leading the free world!

The poor guy, to-date, has not comprehended that it was the symbology of his detachment to and the follow-on lack of appropriate reactions to the disaster, as depicted by his staring out of the window of Air Force One–that riled Americans. Not the fact that he did or did not land somewhere at the time.

Geeezz!!

i shall only deal with one issue…katrina

even before boarding airforce one, the chimp showed how much he cared for the people of katrina, by playing air guitar and cutting a b-day cake

he still has no self awareness…the mark of a true sociopath

The hell with being “charming.” I would give anything to have had an obnoxious person as a good president and leader.

Other things he would not take credit for, such as his reaction to Katrina and the financial meltdown.

Still, it was actually refreshing to see some of the guy's natural charm return, and he seemed bright and alert and a little funny, like he used to be. Totally gracious to Obama. You could see why his voters had a good gut-level feeling about him. The question then becomes why he lost that nature while in office. The sense I get, now, is that he was too overwhelmed to also be charming in any way.

Revealing he was—of the fact that he still lives in a bubble, oblivious to all the damage he has caused and the monumental errors he has made.

Introspective he may be–although not introspective enough to realize his personal and public failings and failures.

Gracious, yes he was that. He was gracious to our incoming president and his family. I just wish he had been as gracious to so many Americans who have suffered, and continue to suffer, because of his “graciousness.”

Sorry!

Tony,

“America” did not vote for Bush in 2000 he won (sic) with less than fifty percent (<50%) of the vote.

There is no amount of sweet talk that can change the failure of, or the disasters caused by George W. Bush.