Bush gives fist bump as farewell to official photographer

Will FOX "News" refer again to a "terrorist fist bump"?

What a fascinating experience that must have been.

Seems people who really got to know President Bush, saw him as more than just an image of the negative press.

As a professional photographer myself who as done over 300 weddings, I can only imagine the sustained energy required to cover a US president. It's like doing a wedding every single day! I hope you do get your rest.

Work w/someone for 8 years and your farewell is a fist bump? What? Does W think he was just moving out of a fraternity? Too afraid for human male contact? Thank God W is gone. Nicknames? That was just W's smokescreen for not being smart enought to actually REMEMBER anyone's real names. And yes, if it weren't for the "recount" this photographer may not have had the job w/Bush. Maybe he would've had the job w/the guy who actually WON the election. Bring on the change, O!

Former President Bush is a lot cooler than we all give him credit for. I respect him in the way he doesn't back down and when he makes a decision, he sticks with it. No wishy washy leadership there. That is for sure. Not perfect but determined.

finally a good upbeat story that doesn't demonize President Bush

It shows what class Bush had. Nice to hear from someone who knew him vs. nasty liberal journalists

Great pic, I can only imagine what was going thru "W" head as he looked at crowd of ~ 2 million people that were very happy to see him go... hey, hey, hey...goodbye.

Nothing nasty. I disagreed with his policies. I did not ant him tom be the president of my country and I'm happy he is gone. I'm sure the man's intentions were good. But sticking to decisions when the decisions clearly are wrong is not strength, it's stubbornness. I hope President Bush will have a great post-presidential life with his family..

I like the things that Bush and my choice, Obama, have in common. Both are family men and both are clean living, stay physically fit, and as far as I can tell, honest individuals. I'm tired of the womanizing that some before them were famous for. And the partying, etc. Some the others never grew up.

Bush better cool it with those fist bumps. Fox News will start labeling him a terrorist-sympathizer.

hey rj,

read some recent articles and it appears your number of attendees is over estimated. not even close to ~2 million.

I was just glad he didn't have the helicopter open fire on the crowd!

Good Riddance Shrub!

I always thought he looked like a fraternity college guy who would be fun to have around for parties, but was never the intellectual type. I think that is why Bush had so much trouble when speaking, he looked like he was always trying to make something into a joke, like he was talking to his drinking buddies. He may be a nice man but the president of the US needs to be more than a just nice guy to drink beer with - don't you think? As far as sticking to his guns - when your guns are pointed in the wrong direction, then only a fool continues shooting.

Eric had a fabulous experience. I've met the President five times in person, four of which were at rallies in New Hampshire during the '04 campaign, and once at an official White House event held in New Hampshire. He is quite a figure standing in front of you. He is so generous with his time, so engaged, so genuine and authentic.

If he was in front of me now, I'd say....

There are millions and millions of us out here who love you, pure and simple. We respect a leader who we know has done his very best, and we're loyal. We appreciate all the wonderful things you have done throughout your 8 years, and we'll miss you.

You're changing addresses. It's sad to see someone I revere leave, but I know all Presidents have to go home. Thankfully, you're in great health, have a new home in Dallas, love your wife, love your ranch, and love Texas ! I know, as always, that you're a happy, cheerful, optimistic man with many things you want to do, and I'm happy for you. I'm grateful we've had you as President for the last 8 years.

God Bless You, President George W. Bush. You have a strong moral compass and restored honor and dignity to the Oval Office on day one. I greatly respect and admire your courage. You didn't compromise principles and return home with your head held high.

I'm enormously proud of you.

From one of your loyal grassroots volunteers since 1999.

Desiree

He's really not that bad a guy. I thank GWB for waking up every day determined to keep us all safe. Sure, I disagree with many of his policies but the score is Bush 7, Terrorists 0. It seems very unlikely that his successor will be as successful considering he is dismantling every mechanism that helped keep our homeland free of terrorism.

It has been repeated so many times now it has become a cliche but I would like to remind Jan in regards to the past 8 years what our founding father Benjamin Franklin had to say. "Those who would give up their Liberty for Security deserve neither." Many of our Liberties were stolen from us by the Bush Administration let us hope and pray that over the next few years we can gain some of those Liberties back.

We all should wish former President Bush well and give him credit for doing the best that he could. Unless you have been the President, you can only imagine what challenges he faced on a day to day basis. I to cannot imagine the difficulties of the job. I do believe that in order to be effective in the position; one must have a "great" staff which surrounds and support him or her, and be able to lead and command that staff to be effective. It is a job that is just too much for one person to do all by him or herself. Leadership is the key to success. Let's wish former President Bush well and thank him for his service to our country, and let's also wish the best for President Obama. We succeed if he succeeds, and he succeeds if we succeed. The country goes the way of the Presidency and vis versa. We will fail or succeed together. I have always done my best to support my Leader and I will not change at this juncture.

There is no more beautiful sight than w leaving Washington for good.

I still think Bush appeals only if you set the bar very low.

8 years of working your *** off for the man and all he can offer is "Let's keep in touch" (yeah, right) and a fist bump. How about dinner or a personalized memento thanking him for 8 years of great pix, or.....?

Bush is a multi-millionaire and he just retired. He could do more than a fist bump to thank someone for 8 years of a job well done.

GREAT picture.

Bush seems like a nice person, but he was out of his league in his job as president. Sort of like the misguided appeal of Sarah Palin.

No, he really IS that bad of a guy. Hundreds of thousands of people are DEAD because of the bad decisions he made and the lies he told. He ignored the constitution and the laws repeatedly. The latest revelation was that he had the NSA spy on ALL of our communications. See 18 U.S.C. 2510.

Isn't that what Faux News calls a "Terrorist Bump"?

Would the most famous photo be the one taken on the fly over after Katrina? If ever a picture said a thousand words that would be a keeper.

The running theme of these comments are the same, W supporters are all very supportive and respectful of President Obama, the others are just haters, worried about the gov taking away some of your civil liberties... I have live in the same United States as you... I have not noticed ONE time of my liberties being taken away... I have noticed that we have not been attacked. I am not a supporter of President Obama, but he is our President and deserves the respect of ALL Americans. George W. Bush deserves that same respect as our former President. He brought dignity and morals back to the oval office. I do not agree with all of his decisions.. but I do believe that every decision he made was made because he thought it was the best for this country.

You can agree or disagree with George W. Bush as president BUT he has earned and deserves our respect.

Thank you

The interesting thing about this story is the subtle way it reinforces the humanity of the ex-president. It's been so easy to demonize and ridicule Bush. I am a Republican and have not approved of his policies, but I met him several times when he was governor and always found him to be warm, engaging and witty. This article showed a little of that. I firmly believe his heart was in the right place and echo a prior post in wishing him a fulfilling and happy retirement.

The Bush family is great. We are proud of them down here in TEXAS....
That is all that matters ...We will help our own; and let the rest have it the way they want.

'Will FOX "News" refer again to a "terrorist fist bump"? '

This is the first thing I thought of, too. Funny how everything is relative. It is also funny how this article spoke in generalities such as Bush's fitness. It really did not get into specifics of his governence. That was all you could do and still have an upbeat article.

The final question EVERYONE has to ask themselves: "Was there any repeat of 9/11"? If there had been, do you think anyone would have cared about "Human Rights and Torture of the 'Poor Dear terriorists?'. Do YOU, do YOU REALLY? I don't think so. The govt. could have scalped them live, and in living color , if it had happened again, and if the casuality figures had been equal or exceeded 9/11. By the way, l voted for Obama, but I am not stupid re: REAL HISTORY, not the Cable News Version of It.

I think all this talk of "respect" is extremely misguided. The reason W. (he doesn't deserve the honor of being called President Bush) is so "disrespected" here is because of the mockery he has made of our country. Stood by his principals? Restored honor to the Whitehouse? Please. He's left this country in tatters.

The reason the "haters", as Billy has so eloquently referred to them, hate on W. so much is because of what he has done in the 8 year disaster known as the Bush presidency. As a supporter of President Obama, I will also tell you that if his presidency is the same incredible disaster that the Bush presidency was, I will have no troubles extending to him the same level of "disrespect" I've extended to W.

Respect is earned - it is not automatic.

When i met the President to have me and my wife's picture taken with him, he notice that my tie was crooked and adjusted it for me. the three of us had a good laugh realizing that the leader of the free world was hunble enough to adjust the tie of stranger that he just met fot the first time. We told him we were praying for him (this was in 03 9/11 ) was still fresh in everyone's consious he looked me in the eye and thank us for our prayers and told us that he valued the prayers more then the campaign contributions he was receiving. ILove GWB

Wile E. Coyote57, if you're going to repeat something, at least have the decency to be somewhat close to correct in repeating it. Words do make a difference.

If Obama was captured in a picture giving someone a fist bump, the liberal left would be oozing with praise for a president who is finally in touch with the youth of America. I would much prefer a president whose sole purpose was protecting the country, not hanging out with Jay Z in the Rose Garden. I want my president to be the president, not a fixture on Access Hollywood.

I feel compelled to respond to Desiree Awiszio.
Desiree, you are utterly and irrefutably, delusional. It simply astounds me that you can say something like:

"You have a strong moral compass and restored honor and dignity to the Oval Office on day one"

What color is the sky in your world?? Keep taking those hallucinagens and I'm sure it will be as blue as ever.

Bush is not a bad guy, personally. He would make a great neighbor and maybe a good boss, depending on the situation. We had him for 6 years as governor in Austin, and that was a job he could handle - meet and greet - articulate a conservative agenda in a prosperous economy. He would get back from his daily run, have lunch and work for three hours. When you think government is the problem, you want as little as possible. He preformed exactly as promised. Unfortunately the neocons saw their opportunity with this blank sheet of paper and had their way with him. Just present an incursion as a "Slam Dunk" or a "Mission Accomplished" press opportunity and he would bite everytime.

Bush is a classy man. Why can you left wing nuts just accept that and move on? You have your guy in the White House now. Stop harping on the Bush presidency and keep an eye on how Obama governs.

Of course being the photographer for any President is an honor but Bush wouldn't be my first pick. However, it would have been interesting to see just how nutty he is in person. To all the poeple who are bashing Obama, why even read the Globe? I'm not trying to be rude but wouldn't the Herald be more along the lines of what you believe in?

People are really ignorant to think that all that happened during the Bush administration was up to him. Obama will probably have it easier because it is all democratic controlled.

Regardless, Bush is an AWESOME PRESIDENT, has a backbone behind his decisions. The media can talk a big talk, but if you never personally know someone your words are meaningless. You just judge from a far off ignorant place. I am sure the negative will soon fly about Obama. I don't support negative media who knows nothing about people.

I was very please with Bush and hope Obama the best too.

According to historical accounts, Dr. Mengele was a perfect gentlemen and a very charming man. I bet that many people who still admire Bush (after his many crimes against humanity abroad and domestically) would be impressed with Mengele, too.

I love the 5th and 21st comment. These are the typical liberals that criticize Bush for everything. According to them, he can't do anything right. They would probably criticize him for the way he goes to the bathroom. Bush did make some bad decisions but you can't criticize him for something like this. Just let him retire in peace. Bush had no chance from day one with the liberals crying like babies that he stole the 2000 election. Stop crying liberals. You have a majority in the House, Senate, and Obama. The last thing I want to hear in the election of 2012 is that Obama couldn't accomplish anything "due to the previous eight years of mistrust in Washi

Political Intelligence, hasn't that been proven to be a contradiction over the last few months?

Ok, let's see, Bush is bad, Fox news is bad, Obama is good, can't wait for change, life is bad, disaster, disaster, make friends with terrorists, feel good from now on. Did I say everything I was supposed to say as part of the "group think" folk? I might have missed a couple. Methinks in a few years you people will think differently about Pres Bush. But then again that would involve open-mindedness, so that's out. You will feel the same, no matter the facts.

Thank you President Bush for keeping America safe for 7 1/2 years. If you could run for a third term I would vote for you again.

Even though I didn't vote for Mr. Bush, him being booed was a show of immaturity and ignorance.
Too bad BHO didn't have the class at some point after, to apologize for his followers foolish send off towards Bush.

One thing we all should be thankful to GWB for is that after 9/11 we went seven
years without another attack in our land (many were attempted as now the news
services are discovering),
If we are to believe the new VP, President Obama will be "tested" with another threat / attack within the next 12 months. Let hope that time proves him wrong,
but if the threat materializes we hope that the new President measures up to
the challenge with strong action not just pacifying words -
.

I'm sure Bush was a nice guy who would be fun at a BBQ, but then so is my handyman, and he's not qualified to be President either. Bush didn't do anything to earn my respect; he had everything handed to him on a silver platter (including a baseball team, an oil company and the Presidency) and never had to do a hard day's work in his life. I respect the Office of the President, but not necessarily the man who inhabits it. And if President Obama creates as much of a train wreck as Bush has done, then I will have the same issue with him.

And I'm really tired of hearing the "Bush Kept Us Safe" meme. Prove it. How did he keep us safe? Give me quantifiable, verifiable evidence (and "we haven't been attacked in seven years" doesn't count, because that could simply mean the terrorists haven't tried or were simply too incompetent). Presidents don't "keep us safe", as much as Bush liked to think that was his job. Law enforcement officers and soldiers and security guards and observant citizens might be the ones who keep us safe, but the President simply sets policy.

I find it interesting how apologists for his administration are usually the same people who rant about big government intruding into their lives, but when Bush allows the NSA to monitor the private conversations of every U.S. citizen and supports legislating what we do in our bedrooms, the apologists have no problem with that whatsoever.

Wrong Dylan. I am the liberal left and if I saw Dubya giving the "terrorist fist bump" I would NOT have respect for him (and I have none to give him anyway..as someone said...respect is EARNED not given automatically) I'd think he was a loser trying to copy a much more popular President.

Poser.

I would like to extend my gratitude to President George W. Bush for keeping us safe for the last seven years. He is a good man and does not deserve the way the liberals treated him especially the low life hollywood celebrities.

He's really not that bad a guy. I thank GWB for waking up every day determined to keep us all safe. Sure, I disagree with many of his policies but the score is Bush 7, Terrorists 0. It seems very unlikely that his successor will be as successful considering he is dismantling every mechanism that helped keep our homeland free of terrorism.

Terrorists 0!!!!
You sure didn't major in accounting. You must have had your TV off on September 11,2001.
A

Calm down happy2be..........

I'm always amazed when someone is praised because he doesn't back down once he's made a decision. Not even in the face of new information that shows the decision was the wrong one. That's not admirable. It's frightening. Decisions, especially monumental ones, should be made based on evidence and the facts at hand. When new evidence is presented that shows the earlier decision was wrong, then one makes a new decision based on the new information. To do otherwise is pigheaded, stubborn, obstinate, dangerous. As we have seen.

Oh, my, he is not in prison yet... Well, how about the crooks that used him. Cheney, Rumsfeld... still at large? - I'll check news tomorrow.

Admittedly, I am no fan of George W. When you live within the fishbowl, it’s quite difficult to stand back and truly view the whole picture from a different perspective because you live in America. But I live and work in Europe (Brussels, Belgium) and from here and for the many Americans living abroad, that perspective was clear and it was not pretty. Early on, it became both embarrassing and even dangerous to advertise being an American. That was a 180 degree turn from how things used to be and I have lived here long enough (16+ years) to know that.

Mr. Draper, photographing and practically living with George W. was understandably a wonderful job but you’ll never understand what it was like to view this objectionably. George W. was not a bad person; he was just way over his head for a job he was well under qualified for and for that huge quandary was surrounded by some very evil people that were bent on destroying the American system to fit their business objectives of power and wealth. President Obama has a job so huge that America will be lucky to survive the harvest of the last 30 years of evil and especially the last 8.

And to those who continue to beat the drum that at least George W. kept us safe for 7 years. My answer is simple: with 42 separate very explicit warnings about eminent attacks a strong possibility and then after those warnings were fully ignored and we suffered and witnessed the most horrific catastrophic terrorist attack on American soil. The bottom line is that like his predecessors, Mr. Bush’s job was to keep us safe for a full 8 years not 7.

We hope that Eric Draper will write a book covering his eight years as President Bush's photographer. He may have inside information that is not classified that can shed political light on President Bush's political life and presidency. Definately, President Bush was more fun in his public life than the more introverted and scholarly President Obama. Maybe Eric could also add more photographs in the book so that it could appeal to high school and college students. He can, include the African presidential tours. They are more fun filled and colourful.

'W"'s legacy is tragic one. He was resolute but governed by gut not intellect. He had an intellect but he didn't develop it. Instead, he relied on his conscience and guidance by divine intervention. He was betrayed by his own belief that what happens in his political life is a subject of god's interest. In his political life, the question of Saddam, bad guy , came up. He lost his moral bearing and invaded a country based on a fraudulent rationale. For this, especially if it comes out poorly, he will never be forgiven because it was a decision made for personal reasons and out of an abundance of hubris.

Desiree, you spoke for a great many of us who love our country and want to see it do well, regardless of who is President. Thanks.

Admittedly, I am no fan of George W. When you live within the fishbowl, it’s quite difficult to stand back and truly view the whole picture from a different perspective because you live in America. But I live and work in Europe (Brussels, Belgium) and from here and for the many Americans living abroad, that perspective was clear and it was not pretty. Early on, it became both embarrassing and even dangerous to advertise being an American. That was a 180 degree turn from how things used to be and I have lived here long enough (16+ years) to know that.

Mr. Draper, photographing and practically living with George W. was understandably a wonderful job but you’ll never understand what it was like to view this objectionably. George W. was not a bad person; he was just way over his head for a job he was well under qualified for and for that huge quandary was surrounded by some very evil people that were bent on destroying the American system to fit their business objectives of power and wealth. President Obama has a job so huge that America will be lucky to survive the harvest of the last 30 years of evil and especially the last 8.

And to those who continue to beat the drum that at least George W. kept us safe for 7 years. My answer is simple: with 42 separate very explicit warnings about eminent attacks a strong possibility and then after those warnings were fully ignored and we suffered and witnessed the most horrific catastrophic terrorist attack on American soil. The bottom line is that like his predecessors, Mr. Bush’s job was to keep us safe for a full 8 years not 7.

I don't know what the American people are thinking. They all seem like sheep. The liberal democrats are not going to save us or the country. President Bush brough morality back to the white house and refused to be swayed by public "opinion". I simply say, Bush had character, President Obama is a character.

I agree with some that wrote previously, i'd like to thank ex-president Bush for keeping family values and moral back into the White House, we have forgotten this past 8 years the embarrasment we went through with the president before him, I really felt awful, than the world just laughed they´re head off at our pres., we are living in a very confused world where criminals and terrorists are idiolized and they worry more about their lives than that of the regular guy. well, now evryone in the world can be admiring Obama as he´s already first thing taking cared of the rights of the Guantanamo Angels!!! Just terrific! Faby