George and Laura, as interviewed by his sister

Laura and George W. Bush condemn violence in Mumbai; White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Holidays are often good times to have radio programmes—I remember this was the case on Labour Day as I drove around the South Island one year. Story Corps, on NPR on Thanksgiving Day, did the same for Americans who were listening, though these days you can get the programme online as well, with a very human interview with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
   In Parliament, the questions given to an MP introducing a bill are called Dorothy Dix questions—these are very easy ones that are kind of like a Q&A to ease the Member into the proceedings. The ones in the audio file are Dorothy Koch questions—still pretty easy ones, and the President and First Lady are at ease, because the interviewer is the President’s sister, Doro Bush Koch. Notice there are no awkward pauses or misplaced words, which I have always said is not often part of the President’s usual speech. Yes, he makes mistakes, and yes, he is a poorer public speaker than his successor. However, for anyone who has ever listened to President Bush give a speech overseas, he tends to be incredibly fluent. He saves the hokey mistakes for home. This is the man who was once criticized for being too smart by his opponent when he ran for Congress in the late 1970s. You sure didn’t see Sen. John Kerry make the same accusation in 2004.
   One thing I have noticed with the Bush family, regardless of whether it was 41 or 43 in the White House, is that the presidency is regarded as a separate entity. Hence, “work George” is called, even by his family, as ‘the President’, ‘Mr President’ or ‘President Bush’. The first name is reserved for the non-work personality. In the NPR interview, Mrs Koch does call her brother ‘Mr President,’ which I imagine is the proper thing to do to preserve the institution of the presidency. You know, if I ever got into a position like that, I could never insist on that formality. Certainly not from your own sister. But from an American point of view, this is the man who assents to bills—a function that HM the Queen has here.
   The references to being able to see one another refer to the fact that the Kochs live in Maryland. After January 20, the Bushes will return to Texas, I imagine. I thought it was entertaining to hear the Bushes in a relaxed mode, as the President looks forward to his post-presidential career. While observers say he will not be as active in the Clinton mould, I think he will find causes he is passionate about and be involved in them. And I also believe he will be very welcome—his opponents will enjoy the fact he is not calling the shots and embrace his new role, while his supporters will see his next stage as a way to stay in touch with his philosophy and thoughts.