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Bush plans prime time farewell

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 12, 2009 04:48 PM

After giving his valedictory news conference today, President Bush plans to give a farewell address to the nation on Thursday.

The White House said the speech will be in prime time, delivered from the ornate East Room.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the speech is not going to be a "swan song" about Bush's administration, but rather one that looks forward and shows graciousness to President-elect Barack Obama, according to the Associated Press.

Bush is expected to speak for about 10 to 15 minutes and will have a small audience of people chosen for their stories of personal courage.

Bush will "uphold the tradition of presidents using farewell addresses to look forward -- by sharing his thoughts on greatest challenges facing the country, and on what it will take to meet them," Perino said, according to AP.

President Bill Clinton and other recent presidents have given similar speeches at the end of their administrations, the AP says.

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