Former foreign minister Alexander Downer says outgoing US President George W Bush had the image of a "bumbling Texan" because he was a nervous media performer who "never improved".

 

Speaking to Triple J's Hack program on Mr Bush's last day in office, Mr Downer says during his personal dealings with Mr Bush he found him to be a confident, funny and charming man.

 

But he believes Mr Bush was never entirely comfortable dealing with journalists during his eight years in office and as a result his public image suffered and he was misunderstood.

"I think a big function of it is the way he appears in the media as a slightly nervous, unconfident and bumbling Texan," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/20/2470307.htm?section=justin

 

meanwhile, back where it counts …..

 

Anti-war protesters were throwing shoes outside the gates of the White House on President George W. Bush's last day in office.

 

About 500 people marched to the White House & threw about 40 pairs of shoes at the gate while tourists looked on & took photos.

 

Supporters say they acted in solidarity with Muntadhar Al-Zeidi, the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in December.

 

The event was sponsored by several peace groups. Organizer Jamilla El-Shafei of Kennebunk, Maine, says the event allowed protesters to express their anger over Bush. She says he is "leaving with no accountability for eviscerating our Constitution."