Washington Watch

Mit einer letzten Rede aus dem Weißen Haus verabschiedete sich George W. Bush von der Nation. Er zeigte sich unerschüttert, unverzagt und unverbesserlich zuversichtlich.

Das war’s. Kaum eine Viertelstunde dauerte die letzte Rede des scheidenden Präsidenten, die in der Nacht zum Freitag direkt im Fernsehen übertragen wurde. Anders als etwa Bill Clinton und Jimmy Carter, die sich vom einsamen Oval Office aus ein letztes Mal an das Volk wandten, sprach George W. Bush vor Publikum im East Room des Weißen Hauses.

Die geladenen Gäste waren dem 43. Präsidenten wohl gesinnt.

Die Amerikaner im Ganzen sind es nicht. Allerletzte Meinungsumfragen zeigen, dass nur zwischen 27 und 34 Prozent der Menschen in Amerika mit Bushs Amtsführung zufrieden sind. Das ist so viel Ablehnung wie sie kein Präsident seit Richard Nixon erfahren hat.

Immerhin sind sich die meisten aber auch darin einig, dass Bush und sein Team eine vorbildliche Amtsübergabe vorbereitet haben. Die Kommentatoren stimmen zudem darin überein, dass Bushs Bewunderung für die historische Leistung seines Nachfolgers Barack Obama, dass sein Stolz und seine Hoffnung von Herzen kommen. Bush habe sich wie ein Gentleman verabschiedet, hieß es übereinstimmend beim linksliberalen Nachrichtensender CNN wie bei dessen konservativem Konkurrenten FoxNews.

Die Amtsübergabe auf den Stufen des Kapitols werde „von der Vitalität der amerikanischen Demokratie zeugen“, sagte Bush, und dann schloss er sich „den besten Wünschen aller Amerikaner für den gewählten Präsidenten Obama, für seine Frau Michelle und deren hübsche Töchter“ an. Bush zeigte sich dankbar für das Vertrauen, das die Amerikaner in ihn gesetzt, für ihre Gebete, die seine Zuversicht gestärkt hätten.

Selbstredend nahmen die Terroranschläge vom 11. September 2001 eine prominente Stellung ein in Bushs letzter Präsidentenrede. Seit jenem Morgen, als die Terroristen beim schlimmsten Angriff auf Amerika seit Pearl Harbor „das Leben von fast 3000 Menschen nahmen“, sei er Tag um Tag in der Frühe, beim Lagebericht der Geheimdienste über die drohenden Gefahren, an seine oberste Pflicht zum Schutz der Vereinigten Staaten erinnert worden. „Und ich habe mir geschworen, alles in meiner Macht Stehende zu tun, um unsere Sicherheit zu gewährleisten“, sagte Bush. Das sei in den vergangenen gut sieben Jahren gelungen – dank jener, die sich Tag und Nacht um die Sicherheit und den Schutz Amerikas bemühten: Sicherheitskräfte, Geheimdienstmitarbeiter, Diplomaten und die Männer und Frauen in der Uniform der Streitkräfte. Zwar sei das Land heute sicherer als vor sieben Jahren, doch die größte Gefahr bleibe ein weiterer terroristischer Angriff: „Unsere Feinde sind geduldig und entschlossen, abermals zuzuschlagen“, warnte Bush: „Wir dürfen nicht nachlässig werden. Wir müssen entschlossen bleiben. Und wir müssen wachsam bleiben.“

Abermals bekräftigte Bush seinen Glauben an die Freiheitsagenda. Deren Fundament ist die Überzeugung, dass „Freiheit das universale Geschenk des Allmächtigen Gottes ist und dass Freiheit und Gerechtigkeit den  Weg zum Frieden beleuchten“. Auf lange Sicht sei „nur die Verbreitung dieses Glaubens der einzig praktikable Weg, unsere Bürger zu schützen“. Deshalb unterstütze Amerika in aller Welt „die Freiheit des Menschen, die Menschenrechte und die menschliche Würde“ – im Kampf für Dissidenten und für junge Demokratien, gegen Aids und gegen Malaria, gegen Gewalt und gegen Extremismus. „Diese große Republik, einzig aus der Freiheit geboren, führt die Welt in ein neues Zeitalter, in welchem die Freiheit allen Nationen gehört“, sagte Bush.

Wie alle Herrscher im Weißen Haus habe auch er Rückschläge erlitten – manches würde er heute anders machen, wenn es die Möglichkeit dazu gäbe, sagte Bush ohne Beispiele zu nennen. Doch habe er bei seinen Entscheidungen „stets die besten Interessen unseres Landes im Blick gehabt“: „Ich bin meinem Gewissen gefolgt und habe getan, was ich als das Richtige erkannt habe.“ Und noch eine weitere Grundüberzeugung Bushs fand Eingang in seine letzte Präsidentenrede: „Ich habe oft über Gute und Böse gesprochen. Das hat manchen unangenehm berührt. Aber das Gute und das Böse gibt es in dieser Welt, und zwischen ihnen gibt es keinen Kompromiss. Unschuldige zu ermorden, um eine Ideologie voranzubringen, ist immer und überall falsch. Menschen aus Unterdrückung und Verzweiflung zu befreien ist in alle Ewigkeit richtig.“

Anders als etwa George Washington und Dwight Eisenhower, die eindringliche Warnungen in den Mittelpunkt ihrer Abschiedsreden gestellt hatten, schloss Bush seine acht Jahre im Weißen Haus mit unerschütterlichem Optimismus. Washington, der erste Präsident, hatte die junge Republik vor festen Allianzen – etwa mit europäischen Mächten – gewarnt und sie aufgerufen, ihren eigenen weltgeschichtlichen Weg zu gehen. Eisenhower, der 34. Präsident, war mit einer Warnung vor dem „militärisch-industriellen Komplex“ aus dem Amt ausgeschieden – was niemand recht zu definieren wusste, aber jeder irgendwie zu verstehen glaubte.

Bush dagegen versprühte die Zuversicht, „dass wir selbst in den schwersten Zeiten unsere Augen auf den weiten Horizont richten, der vor uns liegt“. Schon oft habe Amerika sich Gefahren und Prüfungen ausgesetzt gesehen, und weitere stünden bevor, sagte Bush und fuhr fort: „Doch mit dem Mut unseres Volkes und dem Vertrauen in unsere Ideale wird diese große Nation niemals ermatten, niemals schwanken, niemals scheitern.“

Und er schloss sein zivilreligiöses Glaubensbekenntnis an die von Gottes Freiheitsgeschenk inspirierte Nation mit den Worten: „Es war ein Segen, diese Nation, die wir lieben, vertreten zu dürfen. Und es wird mir immer eine Ehre sein, einen Titel zu tragen, der mir mehr bedeutet als jeder andere: Bürger der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. Und nun, meine amerikanischen Mitbürger, zum letzten Mal: Gute Nacht. Möge Gott dieses Haus und unseren nächsten Präsidenten segnen. Und möge Gott Sie segnen und unser wunderbares Land. Ich danke Ihnen.“

Applaus, Aus und Amen.

(Fotohinweis: White House/Chris Greenberg und Joyce N. Boghosian; AP (2))

Hier der Wortlaut von Bushs Abschiedsrede im Weißen Haus:

President Bush Makes Farewell Address to the Nation
East Room

8:01 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence — a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.

Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-Elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.

Tonight I am filled with gratitude — to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.

This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house — September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son’s police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.

As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.

Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security has been created. The military, the intelligence community, and the FBI have been transformed. Our nation is equipped with new tools to monitor the terrorists‘ movements, freeze their finances, and break up their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them. Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school. Iraq has gone from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United States.

There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil night and day to keep us safe — law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.

Our nation is blessed to have citizens who volunteer to defend us in this time of danger. I have cherished meeting these selfless patriots and their families. And America owes you a debt of gratitude. And to all our men and women in uniform listening tonight: There has been no higher honor than serving as your Commander-in-Chief.

The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience, and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.

This is the belief that gave birth to our nation. And in the long run, advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens. When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights, and human dignity. We’re standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to dying patients — to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.

For eight years, we’ve also strived to expand opportunity and hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected. Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America’s air and water and lands are measurably cleaner. And the federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.

When challenges to our prosperity emerged, we rose to meet them. Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy. These are very tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted. All Americans are in this together. And together, with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America’s free enterprise system.

Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I’ve always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.

The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.

While our nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.

At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.

As we address these challenges — and others we cannot foresee tonight — America must maintain our moral clarity. I’ve often spoken to you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two of them there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense — and to advance the cause of peace.

President Thomas Jefferson once wrote, „I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.“ As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism. America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.

I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm in times of danger, and compassion in the face of suffering. We see examples of America’s character all around us. And Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House this evening.

We see America’s character in Dr. Tony Recasner, a principal who opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society. We’ve seen it in Staff Sergeant Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of his fellow Marines.

We see America’s character in Bill Krissoff — a surgeon from California. His son, Nathan — a Marine — gave his life in Iraq. When I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son. This good man was 60 years old — 18 years above the age limit. But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where he will help save America’s wounded warriors — and uphold the legacy of his fallen son.

In citizens like these, we see the best of our country – resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there’s more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your President. There have been good days and tough days. But every day I have been inspired by the greatness of our country, and uplifted by the goodness of our people. I have been blessed to represent this nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other – citizen of the United States of America.

And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next President. And may God bless you and our wonderful country. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 8:14 P.M. EST