Former President George W. Bush's presidential library was dedicated Thursday, in a ceremony on the campus of Southern Methodist University that moved Bush to tears.
President Obama, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush all sat in a row in front of the George W. Bush Center, where the former president stood at the podium to speak.
"There was a time in my life when I wasn't likely to be found at a library, much less found one," George W. Bush joked in his opening remarks.
Republican Bush had all-time low popularity ratings when he left office after a two-term presidency: about 33 percent. Many were against his decision to go to war with Iraq on grounds of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, which ended up being fictional. The collapse of the economy, coupled with failed programs like "No Child Left Behind," left Americans questioning their government, writes Reuters.
Bush has flown relatively low under the radar since he left office, and some think this has given the public a chance to reevaluate their feelings on the former president. In a poll conducted by the Washington Post-ABC News before the dedication, Bush's approval rating was 47 percent-almost President Obama's number.
About 10,000 people came to the event to watch Bush, along with a host of former presidents, speak.
Mr. Obama encapsulated the overall sentiment that Bush's political comrades and opposition both view Bush, if anything, as genuine.
"To know the man is to like the man, because he's comfortable in his own skin," President Obama said. "He takes his job seriously, but doesn't take himself too seriously. He's a good man."
Attendees included former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Once he finished up his speech, Bush began to get emotional.
"Whatever challenges come before us, I will always believe our best days lie ahead," he finished, sniffling slightly, his voice quavering. Almost jokingly, Bush wiped away a tear from his cheek with his index finger as he sat down, rejoining his wife Laura Bush.
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