>> dana: hello, i'm dana perino and up close with 43, president george w. bush. i assign you in dallas home of the george w. bush presidential center. i had the pleasure to serve 7 years in the bush administration. mispeople think of president bush, straightforward, confident. uncle apologetic but i got to know him in a more personal light. at some point i'll show you. the importance of sticking to principles. >> mr. president. >> welcome back to the oval

office. >> dana: it's a little eerie because it feels like i should be preparing you for a press conference. >> exactly. >> dana: i see you have a clean desk. it is in a sense, we made sure at the oval office looked exactly like it was during my presidency. >> including the flowers. >> and we wanted people too be able to come in here and get a sense of the majesty of the office. this is the only office in a museum where a visitor can sit behind the desk or play like you are making a phone call and have their picture taken. i think it's going to be a real attraction. >> dana: the last days of your presidency, i was there. i came in to say goodbye. you said something i thought maybe you could repeated. it was about coming into office on the first day wanting to make

sure when you left you could look yourself in the mirror and say, i stuck to my principles? >> i think that is important in life. it's definitely important for the president. to have a set of principles that one is willing to defend and so when i left midland i told the crowd of 30,000 i'm leaving with a set of principles. >> i'm thankful for the principles i learned here in midland texas. i thank you for my friends, i'll come back to see you soon, god bless. >> when i came back, we looked a lot older. i didn't sell my soul. principles are still important part of my life. >> through it all, i stayed true to those convictions. i'm coming home with my head held high and sense of accomplishment. >> that is important when you are running an organization so that the people that work with you, know what you believe in

and know your beliefs won't change. >> dana: it made it easier to be your press secretary. >> thank zbluid there were times when i would get a question and i haven't seen you yet and there was one time in particular, i said president bush on the bosra when they sent troops into bosra. at 4:00 in the morning, initial reports and state department and they weren't happy with malachi and i said two hours later. the senior staff meeting josh bolton i wanted to make sure everybody is clear that president bush stands with president malaki. i said that. i remember i was able to do that. i talked about this and have a chance with students or speeches it was easier to be a press sector someone you knew the

principles. >> i remember the incident well. i was very encouraged by the fact he was showing leadership. he was willing to be decisive. >> dana: there was time i was very upset with an attack against you. i was trying to deal with it. you called me into oval office. this was very early in the day, but when i came in, you said, i hear you are upset about something. i said, yes, sir, i am. you said i would like you to try to forgive. i think about that leadership quality of forgiveness and how important that is for all of us to remember in politics? >> i remember the incident well. one of the most disturbing things that can had a am ham ha% is when a team member is disloyal. as a matter of fact you said, how can you possibly trust me, mr. president when a key member have been disloyalty to you. i said because you are who you

are. >> dana: i also asked you if i could throw the person under the bus and you said no. >> forgiveness is hard but forgiveness you liberated yourself from anger and negative thoughts. >> dana: up next, bush 43 on his father bush 41 and number one, george washington. >> each of these leaders will tell you, no matter how much you think you are ready to assume the office of the president, it's impossible to truly understand the nature of the job until it is yours, until you are sitting at that desk. that is why every president gains a greater appreciation for all those that served before them, the leaders from both parties who have taken on the moment outs challenges and felt the weight of the nation on their shoulders. to me that appreciation very much extends to president bush.

first thing i found him at best the day i took office, a letter from george and one that demonstrated his compassion and his generosity. for he knew that i would come to learn what he had learned, that being president above all is humbling job. there are moments where you make mays. there are times when you wish you could turn back the clock. what i know is true about president bush and i hope my successor will say about me, we love this country and we do our best. now, in the past president bush has said it's impossible to pass judgment on his presidency while he is still alive. so maybe this a little bit premature but even now certain things we know for certain. we know about the son that was raised by two strong loving

parents in midland, inheriting my daddy's eyes and my mother's mouth. the young boy who once came home after a trip to museum and proudly presented his horrified mother with a small dinosaur tailbone that he had smuggled home in his pocket. i bet that went over great with barbara. we know about the young man that met the love 6 his life at dinner party and talking with the brilliant and charming laura welch late into the night. we know about the father who raised two remarkable, caring beautiful daughters. even after they tried to discourage him from running for president, dad, you are not as as you think you are. i can relate. [ laughter ] >> and now we see president bush the grandfather just beginning

to spoil his brand-new granddaughters. we know president bush the man and what president clinton said is absolutely true, to know the man is to like the man because he is comfortable in his own skin. he doesn't put any pretenses. he takes his job seriously and doesn't take himself too seriously. he is a good man. ♪ ♪

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few months of the presidency and now as your library opens a lot of people will be asking you again, what will your legacy? >> i remember calling you and other members of staff in and telling i just finished a biography of washington and analysis, they are still analyzing washington, those are us in bush 43 administration don't need to worry about short term history. there needs to be time in order to determine whether the decisions of any administration makes sense or transformative. so i learned a lot about reading history during the presidency. there is another portrait of lie is a portrait of george washington. there is also other paintings here of texas life and this is one of my favorites.

as a staff member when you walk in from over there and you see that, it would reground you. one of my favorite things in policy time sit here in back row and you were there and vice president was there. you and i had a line of sight and you gave me a wink when vice president cheney would rest his eyes for a moment. he never fell asleep. >> not sound asleep. >> dana: this is abraham lincoln? >> this is spot where president puts the most influential spot. its tradition, each president picks a president. i chose lincoln. now, in my case, influential presidents, it's got a lot of meaning. there is a conflict of interest but a conflict because my dad is most influential president, as a matter of fact i wouldn't be here as a former president

without his unconditional love. so i took 41's portrait in my heart and put lincoln on the wall. i read a lot about lincoln during the presidency. i came to admire him tremendously. he a man who is on principle, all men are created equal under god. leadership requires vision and principles. lincoln is a great example of that. >> dana: do you know your dd had hanging up? >> probably lincoln. >> dana: so does president obama. short term history not worrying about it applies. >> it's kind of an overused word legacy, about my legacy my answer is, it's going to take time. >> dana: history will decide. >> i am comfortable with that. i gave it my all-i didn't sell my soul. we dealt with tough problems.

i know i had a great team. i did. our white house was a joyful place. >> dana: that is what you used to say. every day it was stressful but joyful. >> coming up, learning to put differences aside for the good of the nation. >> you know, starting with my work with president george h.w. bush on katrina, people were saying i was getting so close to the bush family i become the black sheep son. my mother told me not to talk too long today. barbara, i will not let you down [ laughter ]

>> there is one other connection that i had which is largely unknown. i think couple times a year in his second term, george bush would call me to talk politics. a chill went up and down my spine when laura said that all the records were digitized. dear god i hope there is no record of those conversations in this vast and beautiful building. i probably shouldn't say that, your mother showed me some of your landscapes and animal paintings and i thought they were great. really great. i seriously considered calling you and asking you to do a portrait of me until i saw the results of your sister's emails. those were wonderful but i think

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♪ ♪ >> dana: welcome back. some of the fondest memories of meetings the president had in the famous office at 1600 pennsylvania avenue. many included some familiar faces. here in texas we have the opportunity to turn back time and meet once again in the oval office. you remember when the five presidents were here in in front of this desk? >> very well. >> i wanted to thank president-elect for joining the

ex-presidents for lunch. one message that i have and i think we all share we want you to see, whether we're democratic or republican. we care deeply about this country. >> i thought what a picture to the world can set this agreements aside. >> we're about to have the same picture. president will be here as former presidents including president 41. i mean it will be a joyous day and day to give thanks. particularly joyful about the fact my dad is going to be there. >> dana: a lot of us didn't. he is stlojer than all of us put together. >> we underestimate him. don't underestimate the man. >> dana: when we return, president bush in his finest hour. >> i can hear.

the rest of the world hears you. [ applause ] and people that knocked these buildings will down will hear all of us soon. [ applause ] >> dana: but first, former first lady laura bush. >> throughout this center, i am reminded of my husband. i remember george standing in the rubble of the trade center, his arms around a firefighter who had grabbed his old gear to search for the missing. i remember george standing alone on the pitcher's mound at yankstadium prepared to throw out the first pitch in new york at 2001 world series. during that long season of heartbreak and healing. i remember his quiet visits with the families of the fallen, sharing their stories and their tears.

i remember how steadfast and steady he was for eight years. since we've been home i've added new memories. i see george lifting a brush to paint and refurbish a health clinic in african nation of zambia. i see george last may on a bike ride with wounded veterans, when he hopped off his own bike to help push an army major who was peddling with one leg up the steep hill. my george is a man who when somebody needs a hand, offer his arm. this is the spirit that is forever captured in this beautiful building this will always be a place that welcomes each visitor with open arms. when you have diabetes...

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live from america's news headquarters, i'm arthel nevil. police are searching for the person who attacked a french soldier and stabbed him in the throat. it happened in a business district outside of paris. french military spokesman says the 23-year-old soldier was wounded. his life is not in danger. assault comes days after the hacking death of a british soldier. no confirmed link between the attacks. flash flooding creating a dangerous situation in san antonio. one woman was killed when rising waters swept her car off a bridge. they are urging people to stay inside. emergency crews rescuing dozens of trapped drivers and people stranded in their home. i'm arthel nevil. get you back to up close with 43 president george w. bush. stay safe everybody. se with geoe w. bush.

>> dana: welcome back to fox news. we have a very tragedy alert for you right now. an incredible plane crash into the world trade center here at the lower tip of manhattan. >> it was the terror attacks of 9/11. when the attacks themselves to the criticism that followed afterwards. tonight, president bush bring does back to the horrific day through his own eyes. >> today we have had a national tragedy. two airplanes have crashed into the world trade center in an apparent terror attack on our country. >> we are hearing right now of another explosion has taken place at the pentagon. >> united 93, do you still hear

cleveland. >> freedom was attacked by a faceless coward and freedom -- >> god bless america, my home sweet home. >> terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings but they cannot touch the foundation of america. these acts shatter steel but they can't dent the steel of american resolve. >> most of the people in this room at this table, in first grade when 9/11 happened, secondly grade. the decisions that were put in place to help keep us safe. i thought, mr. president, you could talk to them what it was like to try to calm a nation and to figure out a way to protect

the country's national security without intruding on the freedom that has we all enjoy. as you pointed out, it's been a long time, complacency is worst enemy but you still want to live the lives you can live in america. >> first decision was made in the classroom. i was in the classroom just a little bigger than this. instead of having two or three tv cameras, there might have been 20. you'll see. it was a huge press contingent coming to the opening of the library. so the first decision i made after andy card whes period in my ear, america is under attack was to project calm. if the leader of an organization in any way shows panic, followers will panic. in my case, the nation