KXAN interviews President Bush

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Bush interview highlights

• His hope for the country is that it doesn't get attacked again.
• His advocacy for AIDS and malaria programs in Africa is one of his strongest legacies.
• He is looking forward to "hanging out" and "reconnecting" with friends in Texas
• George W. Bush Presidential Institute at SMU in Dallas won't be a partisan center, but instead "a place of learning and thought."
• The Republican Party should improve the tone of its position on immigration, as well as rebuild and recruit membership in the party.
• He believes his time in the White House made him "more wise, more worldly."
• Meanwhile, Laura Bush said she plans to keep working with Afghan women to strengthen their rights, as well as her favored health projects in Africa and the Middle East.
  
   

As change sweeps through Washington, President George W. Bush sits down with Leslie Rhode of KXAN Austin News. In this special interview, we will learn how he views his legacy, his regrets and even his future back home in Texas.

Leslie was outside the White House gates, where Bush gave his final news conference, addressing his successes and missed opportunities. Though the Bushs have one more week in the White House, inaugural construction is well underway Monday.

The Jan. 20 inauguration ceremony Tuesday will greet Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Obama replaces Bush, the 43rd U.S. president. Bush served as the 46th Texas governor from 1995 until 2000 and was sworn in as president Jan. 20, 2001.

Bush was only eight months into his first-term presidency when he propelled the global war on terrorism after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred. He ordered an invasion of Afghanistan that same year and an invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Among the policies Bush has attempted to promote are the economy, health care, education and social security reform are several policies, in addition to national security issues. Large tax cuts, the No Child Left Behind Act and Medicare prescription drug benefits for seniors were enacted by Bush during his time in office. His tenure has also seen a national debate on immigration.

In 2004, Bush was re-elected after running against Democratic Senator John Kerry in 2004. Bush received increasingly heated criticism shortly thereafter, and in 2005, the Bush administration was forced to deal with criticism regarding Hurricane Katrina.

The U.S. economy entered its second recession under Bush in 2008, wherein his administration took a firmer grip on the economy by enacting multiple economic stimulus packages.

As president, Bush has experienced both sides of the popularity spectrum. Though Bush was a popular president for much of his first term, he peaked after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks when he received the highest approval rating of any president in American history. However, during Bush's second term, his popularity experienced a sharp decline when he received the lowest approval rating, as well as the lowest sustained approval numbers, in American history.

As the Bushs plan their White House departure, Leslie interviews Bush about the past, present and future Monday. Stay tuned to the KXAN Austin News special event Monday at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.