President Bush is preparing to deliver his farewell address tonight and, boy, what a difference eight years makes. As the energy in the capital builds in preparation for Barack Obama’s inaugural address on Tuesday, the current president is becoming an afterthought. He’ll begin right at 8 and should be finished in time for all of us to catch the last half of My Name Is Earl.
Worst thing is, the president’s farewell probably won’t even be the most watched goodbye on TV tonight, since over at CBS Gil Grissom is making his final appearance on CSI.
It wasn’t always this way, of course. In 2001, George W. Bush was the new kid in town and people were eager to hear how he’d approach the presidency after squeaking through the election. Now, though, he’s old hat. No one expects to hear anything new. And between Iraq and Wall Street, plenty of Americans are eager for a change of scenery in Washington.
The president knows this, which is why the White House has only asked the networks for 15 minutes of time. Ever the efficient manager, George W. Bush will make his final remarks brief, while those of us watching will stay warm.
Somehow I picture Tuesday a little differently.
A Girl with a Dead Canary
As presidential scholars hit the airwaves in the coming week to provide historical perspective on the inauguration, I’ve compiled a few lesser-known tidbits about past inaugural addresses. Please to enjoy.
Continuing with Josh’s theme of … uh … indecorous utterances, Chinese dairy producers have finally provided a firm answer to the question, “What should you absolutely never, ever communicate to someone via text message?” And the winner is: Sorry we killed your children.
I was fortunate to be able to attend a White House reception this evening, hosted by President and Mrs. Bush to thank the people who worked in their Administration over the last eight years. The very idea is silly, of course: The president doesn’t owe us any thanks at all; it’s very much the opposite. But it’s of a piece with the Bushes’ warmth and regard for the people who worked for them, and it was a fun time, offering the opportunity to catch up with former colleagues and experience the White House once more. 
