Bush will sit for first interview a week after midterm elections

Former President George W. Bush will sit down for his first formal post-presidency interview a week after the midterms.

NBC announced on Monday that "Today" show anchor Matt Lauer would interview Bush twice in November during the same week the former Republican president's book, Decision Points, is scheduled to be published.

Bush will sit for a primetime special with Lauer to air on Monday, Nov. 8, and wll appear live on the "Today" show on Wednesday, Nov. 10, NBC announced on Monday.

The appearances will come days after the midterm elections set for Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Congressional Democrats and President Obama have made Bush a target of their election-year messaging, warning voters that giving control of Congress to Republicans would mean a return of some of Bush's policies.

Any leaks from Bush's memoir could receive heavy attention in the days before the midterm elections, which Republicans hope will result in their winning the House. Many publishers release advance excerpts of some titles, though high-profile books like Bush's are often kept under wraps until the release date.

Republicans, for their part, have kept some distance from the former president, who has himself maintained a low profile since leaving office. His most public role to date came when Obama tapped him and former President Bill Clinton to spearhead fundraising for disaster relief in the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake earlier this year. 

Update, 4:39 p.m.: A statement about the interview was released through Bush's Facebook page:

President Bush is looking forward to sitting down with Matt Lauer in his first one-on-one interview since leaving office. He will talk about his upcoming book, Decision Points, and discuss the defining decisions of his life. The interview will air in primetime on Monday, November 8th as a special “Matt Lauer Reports.” President Bush will also appear live on the “Today” show on Wednesday, November 10th.