To Do: Read The Morning News

President Bush Congratulates President-Elect Barack Obama, Says "I Promise To Make This A Smooth Transition." "President Bush on Tuesday night called President-elect Barack Obama to congratulate him on what he deemed an 'awesome' win. … 'What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters,' Mr. Bush told Mr. Obama, speaking to him from the White House Treaty Room, in the residence. 'Laura and I called to congratulate you and your good bride.' 'I promise to make this a smooth transition,' Mr. Bush said. 'You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself.' Mr. Bush invited Mr. Obama and the next first lady, Michelle Obama, to visit the White House with their two daughters soon. At 11:38 p.m., Mr. Bush called Mr. McCain, who had conceded defeat earlier in the evening. 'John, you gave it your all. I'm proud of you, and I'm sorry it didn't work out,' Mr. Bush told him. 'You didn't leave anything on the playing field.' The president told Mr. McCain that his concession speech was 'fabulous and very classy.' 'Please give our love to Cindy,' Mr. Bush said. Mr. Bush spent the early evening at the White House celebrating his wife's 62nd birthday and watching election results with a small group of friends." (Jon Ward, "Bush Tells Obama His Win Was 'Awesome'," The Washington Times, 11/5/08)


The Washington Post's Michael Gerson Says "I Have Seen President Bush Show More Loyalty Than He Has Been Given, More Generosity Than He Has Received." "The achievement is historic. … Because of the passage of Medicare Part D, nearly 10 million low-income seniors are receiving prescription drugs at little or no cost. No Child Left Behind education reform has helped raise the average reading scores of fourth-graders to their highest level in 15 years, and narrowed the achievement gap between white and African American children. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has helped provide treatment for more than 1.7 million people and compassionate care for at least 2.7 million orphans and vulnerable children. And the decision to pursue the surge in Iraq will be studied as a model of presidential leadership. … I have seen President Bush show more loyalty than he has been given, more generosity than he has received. I have seen his buoyancy under the weight of malice and his forgiveness of faithless friends. Again and again, I have seen the natural tug of his pride swiftly overcome by a deeper decency – a decency that is privately engaging and publicly consequential." (Michael Gerson, Op-Ed, "The Decency Of George W. Bush," The Washington Post, 11/4/08)