An interview with President George W. Bush: Audio Excerpts - AARP The Magazine

George W Bush On

Listen to audio clips from our revealing interview with the former President

In late October, AARP The Magazine Editor Nancy Perry Graham visited George W. Bush at his home in Dallas, Texas to discuss his new memoir, Decision Points. The short audio clips below reveal surprising moments from their wide-ranging conversation, including Bush’s views on Iraq, his public image, his hardest decisions, and his skydiving dad. And if you love presidential pooches, don’t miss hearing the final clip, when the President is unceremoniously interrupted by one of his faithful four-legged friends, Miss Beazley.

Adjusting to post-Presidency life

Excerpt: "I want to go 100 mph again but – well, maybe not 100. Maybe 80."

His role as a former President

Excerpt: "I'm not saying that I am forever not going to speak. But right now in my life, I'm perfectly comfortable..."

His home state of Texas

Excerpt: "I was raised in a part of the world where individualism is strong, where people can dream big dreams and achieve them."

The hardest decision of his Presidency

Excerpt: "People say, 'What's the hardest decision you made as President?'" The hardest decision is..."

His public image

Excerpt: "There’s an image out there that gets in people’s mind. Sometimes it’s reality, sometimes it’s not."

The backlash against the Iraq War

Excerpt: "When times got hot, and things got difficult, people began to change their mind."

His wife Laura and a happy marriage

Excerpt: "In many ways our marriage is great because she has made it great."

His parents and his father' s skydiving habit

Excerpt: "The jump is a wonderful statement to make..."

His new book — and his legacy

Excerpt: "I’m comfortable with how I lived my life as the President..."

Miss Beazley chimes in

Discussing his choice to stay out of the current political debate, President Bush gets some unexpected (but loud!) support.
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