storylines in the post-administration people go back and say one of the lessons here is that roberto gonzales as attorney general was too close to president bush and one of the lessons is you can't have somebody in that role that close and strong of a personal tie to the president, and you rejected this. >> guest: i really did. having that kind of relationship gives you freedom and power to tell the president you cannot do this, this is wrong. i think that puts you in a very powerful place. and also, the other secretaries when they want to do something it makes you a much stronger position to have that relationship, to be so candid you can say that is wrong. you cannot do that. i totally reject that. i think having that relationship made me a more effective general even though my critics used it as an excuse to be critical of my service. >> host: i'm curious it's clear from the book you had a close relationship with the president. what is your relationship with him today, do you still talk to him? you say at the end of the book the president kept up with your move the things you've done since

storylines in the post-administration people go back and say one of the lessons here is that roberto gonzalesas attorney general was too close to president bush and one of the lessons is you can't have somebody in that role that close and strong of a personal tie to the president, and you rejected this. >> guest: i really did. having that kind of relationship gives you freedom and power to tell the president you cannot do