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President Bush, who came into office promising to be a
“uniter” but has become a divisive figure, said on Monday he hopes that the
tone in Washington will be different for his successor. Bush stated that he was “disappointed by the tone” in the
nation’s capital and hopes that the criticism President-elect Obama encounters
will be “respectful.”
The president leaves office eight years after pledging to
be a “uniter, not a divider.” However, his two terms in office have been marred
by deep divisions and his presidency has produced very outspoken critics.
“The rhetoric got out of control,” Bush told reporters
during his last press conference.
He added that he tried to do his part by “not engaging in
the needless name calling.”
“I tried to be respectful,” he added.
Bush also expressed concerns that the tone in Washington
would discourage people from seeking office.
“I worry about people looking at our system and saying:
‘Why would I go up there and work in that kind of environment?” he said.
With regard to his most outspoken critics, Bush expressed
his belief that they are a small minority.
“I’ve met a lot of people who don't agree with the
decisions I make, but they have been civil in their discourse,” he said. “I
view those who get angry and yell and say bad things -- you know, all that kind
of stuff, as just a very few people in the country. I don’t know why they get
angry. I don't know why they get hostile.”
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