Former President George W. Bush speaks out about freedom of press – KEYT

George W. Bush speaks out about...

Former President George W. Bush has stayed rather quite since leaving the oval office, but Wednesday night he spoke to a sold out crowd and answered several questions about the current political climate.

Mister Bush was at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley to promote his new book, Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chiefs Tribute To Americas Warriors. During the sit down discussion he answered several questions about his book as well as chimed in on some current political hot topics.

One of the first political topics that came up was his stance on freedom of press.

I absolute believe in a free press as should every other American believe in free press because the press holds people to account. Power is very addictive and its corrosive therefore there needs to be an independent group of people that hold you to account, said Mister Bush.

Bush said that when he made those same remarks to another media outlet this week, his statement was taken out of context.

So I answered that question and of course the headlines were Bush criticizes Trump. So of course, I needed to say there should be a free and independent press but it got to be accurate, said Mister Bush.

The Nations 43rd President also went on to say he has no intention to criticize his successors.

Its a hard job, and I think if a former president is out there second guessing it is going to make it harder and I want anybody who is president to succeed we are all in this together, said Bush. People say why. First of all the office of the president is more important than the occupant, and I believe it undermines the office of the presidency. Secondly I understand there is a lot of critiques and I dont want to make the presidents job worse.

The primarily republican audience applauded what mister bush had to say.

It was wonderful to hear the humor in the president and the mission of his heart and why he put it to paper and how he feels about the veterans. I am a big supporter of military as well, said Marissa Couhlan of Malibu.

I think it really was a conversation with the president. Just the tone he was using the verbiage that he chose and it really made everything relatable and I just like the way he connected back with the youth and how there is hope for the country, said Joanne Prociuk of Santa Clarita.

What you got to understand is that our nation goes through divisive and tough times, but there is something unique about us, there is a spirit you cant extinguish and that is why I am so optimistic about the spirit of the country, said Bush.

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Former President George W. Bush speaks out about freedom of press - KEYT