George W. Bush isn’t exactly consumed by regret. In fact, he says he has very few.
The former president, who has mostly remained out of the public eye, spoke to the Dallas Morning News on Sunday, saying, “I’m comfortable with what I did. I’m comfortable with who I am.”
He did say, however, that he wished he had overhauled Social Security and immigration policy--two initiatives from his second term that died for lack of political support.
The interview comes as Bush, the most unpopular living former president, will attend a ceremony for the opening of his presidential library next week in Dallas. The four other living presidents, including Barack Obama, will be there.
Bush, 66, insisted during the interview that he was also comfortable with how he handled the unpopular Iraq War.
“I’m confident the decisions were made the right way," the former president said. "It’s easy to forget what life was like when the decision was made.”
The Republican (a new grandfather as of this weekend) also opened up about his paintings, which surfaced online--including one of him showering. He’s taken up art as a hobby since leaving the presidency.
“People are surprised,” said Bush. “Of course, some people are surprised I can even read,” adding he takes “great delight in busting stereotypes.”
Bush was also asked why he spends his free time on “frustrating and potentially humiliating” activities like golf, biking, and painting.
“I don’t know,” he said. “You’ll have to call all the people who’ve written these books about me, who claim they know me, the psycho-babblers.”